Once waters receded following the March 2019 floods, many Nebraskans found sand and sediment deposited on their fields and properties. Landowners can consider a number of potential options for sand removal, according to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Can I push the sand back into the river?

Updated information: June 24, 2019 - The June 25 public hearing has been cancelled because there was no hearing request received during the 3-day notification and comment period.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy commended a new agreement between U.S. EPA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to speed the availability of funding used to restore vital water infrastructure in times of disaster.

NDEQ’s Nebraska Diesel Emission Mitigation Program has announced the opening of the 2019 School Bus Rebate Program, which will use funds from Nebraska’s portion of Volkswagen State Trust to provide rebates to replace diesel school buses. Schools across the state are being notified that applications are now being accepted and must be received by Aug. 2, 2019, to be considered for selection. NDEQ anticipates awarding 32 school bus rebates during this second year of the program.

Grant applications for the 2020 Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive, Scrap Tire, and Litter Reduction and Recycling programs can be submitted between July 3 and Aug. 14, 2019 (4 p.m. Central Daylight Time). Grant applications for the 2020 grant term dealing with the reuse or recycling of materials from flood-related cleanup work will be given priority consideration.

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, along with Director Jim Macy, head of the newly created Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, celebrated the merger of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Energy Office.

Following the passage of LB 302, the two agencies are merging into the new Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) effective July 1, 2019.

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Director Jim Macy announced today that the state is awarding nearly $968,000 to support 63 tire recycling and cleanup projects across the state. The department received over $1.4 million in eligible requests.

“The agency received many outstanding applications from across the state,” Macy said. “These funds will provide needed support to local efforts that effectively deal with scrap tires in Nebraska.”

July 8, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) Annual Report on Modeled Facilities is generated to meet the requirements set forth in 40 CFR 51.1205. This report describes the current status of areas subject to the Data Requirements Rule (DRR) for the 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). These areas were designated as in attainment with the 2010 SO2 Primary NAAQS based on results from air dispersion modeling.

July 10, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will present a Flood Debris Management Webinar at 11 a.m. July 25th. This presentation is intended for home and small business owners as well as municipalities planning for future events.

This is the first of a series of monthly webinars planned through December 2019, and is part of a new outreach effort that is the result of input received from stakeholders through the spring 2019 public outreach and program participation survey.

Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, Adams, Kearney, Phelps, Gosper, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Dawson, Thayer