The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is announcing that the first of two outreach meetings concerning the Program Priority System for the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants Program will be held in Lincoln on May 6.

The Program Priority System provides a numerical ranking on each grant application and is used by grant reviewers and NDEQ’s Director to make final award decisions. NDEQ proposes to update this system and would like stakeholder input on an eventual proposal.

The May 6 meeting will focus on:

• Providing a general overview of the funds available and discussing the types of projects that are eligible.
• Describing the recent change to an online system for grant application and administration.
• Explaining how the Program Priority System is used in the application and award system.
• Seeking ideas on how NDEQ can improve the existing Program Priority System.

This first meeting is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. May 6 at NDEQ’s Lincoln Offices, 1200 N St., Room 424. Those who are not able to attend may participate by telephone conference call at (888) 820-1398. Please connect prior to 2 p.m. and enter attendee code 9932065# when prompted.

A second meeting will be held at a later date to present the draft structure and language of the Program Priority System proposal. Input provided at the May 6th meeting will be considered as the revised Program Priority System document is developed. This document will be presented to the Nebraska Environmental Quality Council for final approval at a public hearing later this year.

For additional information or to share your input in advance of these meetings, please e-mail NDEQ at ndeq.waste@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-0270