The state has discontinued health alerts for toxic blue-green algae at Lone Star Lake in Fillmore County, Rockford Lake in Gage County, Maskenthine Lake in Stanton County, and Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County, after the lakes had two consecutive weeks of low readings for toxic blue-green algae. This week, there are no health alerts in effect at any of the 46 public lakes that are tested weekly by the state.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has approved a Class III Underground Injection Control Permit submitted by Crow Butte Resources Inc. This permit is associated with an expansion area for the Crow Butte uranium mining facility, in an area north of Crawford that is referred to as the North Trend Expansion Area (see map below).

Aug. 30, 2011 -- Nebraska's 2011 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public comment. The Network Plan was developed to comply with new Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 58.10.

Sept. 1, 2011 -- A meeting of the Nebraska Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel is scheduled for Friday, September 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality offices in Lincoln, 1200 N St. For additional information, please see the meeting agenda below, or contact Ryan Green, NDEQ Small Business and Public Assistance Coordinator, at 402-471-8697.
 

(See attached file: SBCAP agenda 09-23-11.pdf)
File Size 99 KB

Sept. 23, 2011 – Starting in the Spring of 2012, the public will be seeing new signs sprouting across the state, indicating that they are entering a Drinking Water Protection Area. The signs are designed to raise public awareness about cooperative efforts between the state and local groups to protect the drinking water from contamination in the area.

October 7, 2011 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) has prepared an Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the2008 Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Infrastructure SIPs, which are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are plans that provide for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS.

October 19, 2011 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has drafted proposed revisions to the rules that apply to septic systems and private lagoons, and is currently seeking comment from the public. After receiving input, NDEQ intends to prepare final draft proposed amendments to Title 124 – “Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of On-site Wastewater Systems,” which will then be placed on public notice for additional review and public comment.

October 25, 2011 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled public input meetings in four Nebraska communties to present a short summary of draft changes being considered and to receive comments regarding Title 124 – Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.

A new general permit for pesticides, which was recently finalized by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and became effective November 1, 2011, provides coverage for specific types of applications of pesticides to, over or near waters of the state.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is inviting applications to the Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program, which provides assistance to trucking companies and independent diesel owner-operators to purchase equipment to reduce engine idling, which reduces air pollution and fuel costs. Over $189,000 in grant funds are available, and applications will be accepted if received at the NDEQ Lincoln office by December 19, 2011.