The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert measure above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) annually monitors waterbodies for contaminants in fish through Nebraska’s Fish Tissue Monitoring Program (FTMP) program.

Data gathered from these monitoring efforts are used to assess risk to humans from consuming impacted fish, posting consumption advisories, measuring long-term trends in regional contaminants such as pesticides, metals, and PCBs, and to monitor for emerging contaminants of concern. The data helps to answer the question, “Are the fish safe to eat?”

Nebraska's 2024 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public comment. The Network Plan was developed to comply with Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 58.10.

The Network Plan describes the existing ambient air monitoring network in Nebraska and sets forth planned changes through June 2025. It also contains information on Nebraska’s air quality. During the 30-day public comment period, written comments regarding this Network Plan may be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) at the mail or email addresses below.

Mail: