The state has discontinued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Red Willow Reservoir in Gosper County, after the lake 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 scheduled a public hearing regarding a proposal to exempt a portion of the Chadron Aquifer north of Crawford. This portion of the aquifer is associated with a proposed expansion area for the Crow Butte Resources (CBR) uranium mining facility. The proposed exemption would prevent that designated area of the aquifer from being used as a drinking water source in the future.

The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2011 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Merritt Reservoir in Cherry County. This is the only health alert currently in effect in the state, based on weekly sampling of 46 public lakes across Nebraska.

Samples taken earlier this week at Merritt Reservoir were above the state’s health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total Microcystins (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.) Lakes that are on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the threshold before the alert is discontinued.

The state has issued health alerts for toxic blue-green algae at Kirkman’s Cove near Humboldt and Red Willow Lake near McCook. An alert continues at Merritt Reservoir in Cherry County, which first went on alert last week.

Samples taken earlier this week at the three lakes were above the state’s health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total Microcystins (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.) Lakes that are on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the threshold before the alert is discontinued.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Willow Creek Lake near Pierce. Alerts continue for Kirkman’s Cove near Humboldt, Red Willow Reservoir near McCook and Merritt Reservoir in Cherry County.

Health alerts will continue over the Labor Day weekend for Willow Creek Lake near Pierce and Red Willow Reservoir near McCook. Alerts have ended at Kirkman’s Cove near Humboldt and Merritt Reservoir in Cherry County.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will hold three information sessions to summarize and explain proposed changes to Title 130 -- Livestock Waste Control Regulations. The information sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
 

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will host two information sessions on Sept. 15 to discuss proposed changes to the state’s Title 129 – Air Quality Regulations. The proposed changes would incorporate new federal requirements for facilities that emit greenhouse gases. The information sessions will also discuss how these changes may impact facilities in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled a public hearing regarding a proposal to issue a permit to Crow Butte Resources, Inc. (CBR) for the construction and operation of a Class 1 non-hazardous waste injection well.