Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Acting Director Pat Rice has announced the awarding of $2,006,707 in 51 grants for litter cleanup, recycling, and public education programs and activities. Funds for the Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program are generated from a fee charged to certain manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of products that commonly contribute to litter. The program has been providing grants annually since 1979.

Submission deadline April 12
 

April 1, 2014 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled the annual Environmental Update in Lincoln on May 15, 2014 at the Country Inn and Suites, Beacon Hill, 5353 N. 27th Street, Lincoln. Representatives from businesses and industries are invited to attend, ask questions, pick up new information, and provide feedback. Registration begins at 8:00 am.

This year, the presentations will focus on various Nebraska and EPA regulations and requirements, including:
 

May 23, 2014 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) intends to propose regulation changes later this year concerning the management and disposal of solvent-contaminated shop wipes, such as reusable shop towels, rags, disposable wipes and paper towels. NDEQ has scheduled a public outreach meeting from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at NDEQ’s offices at 1200 N St., Lincoln. The purpose of the meeting will be to explain the concept of the proposed changes and to invite public input.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County. This is the first health alert issued in the 2014 recreational season. Weekly sampling has been conducted at 50 public lakes in Nebraska since the beginning of May.

June 5, 2014 -- U.S. EPA Region 7 has announced that the City of Gering is one of six regional recipients of funding to assess, clean up and plan for the redevelopment of contaminated properties. Gering was awarded $200,000 through the EPA’s Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup grants program.

June 25, 2014 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is seeking early public involvement as it develops proposed changes to Title 195 – Chemigation Regulations. NDEQ has scheduled a public outreach meeting at 9 a.m. July 23 at NDEQ’s offices at 1200 N St., Lincoln. The purpose of this meeting/telephone conference call will be to explain the concept of the proposed changes and to invite public input.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Acting Director Patrick Rice today announced the awarding of $4,296,581 in grants through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund.

“These funds are used for a wide variety of projects to reduce waste, promote recycling and address the issue of scrap tire piles,” Rice said. “The grants will provide support to important local environmental improvement efforts across the state.”

A health alert for toxic blue-green algae has been issued for Rockford Lake in Gage County. This is the only lake in Nebraska currently under a health alert; last week, the state ended the alert for Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County.

July 17, 2014 -- NDEQ will be hosting a meeting/teleconference call regarding potential revisions to Title 117 – Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards. The meeting will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time at NDEQ’s Lincoln office at 1200 N St, Room 424. To participate in the conference call, dial 888-820-1398 and use the access code 3533328#.