On May 2, the state began its weekly monitoring of toxic blue-green algae and bacteria at 50 public lakes in Nebraska. Sampling will continue weekly through September.

To date, there have not been any health alerts issued for toxic blue-green algae, because no lakes exceeded the state’s health alert threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.) Lakes that are placed on health alert must have two consecutive weeks of readings below the threshold before the alert is discontinued.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy today announced the awarding of $3,454,825 in grants through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. This is the first health alert issued in the 2016 recreational season. Weekly sampling has been conducted at 50 public lakes in Nebraska since the beginning of May.

June 6, 2016 -- NDEQ plans to conduct an information session in Columbus on June 16 to discuss livestock regulations with producers interested in building swine barns. The information session will be a roundtable type discussion focusing primarily on the permitting process; however, producers will have the opportunity to ask any questions pertaining to swine animal feeding operations.

The session will be held 9 a.m. June 16, 2016 at the Columbus City Council Chambers, 1369 25th Avenue, Columbus.

June 8, 2016 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) proposes issuance of a new General Permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to prevent discharges to surface waters. CAFOs within the State of Nebraska that confine only cattle, either in open lots or under roof, are eligible for coverage.
 

The Public Notice period will run from June 8, 2016 through July 11, 2016.
 

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Swan Creek Lake #5A, (also known as Willard Meyer Recreational Area) in Saline County. An alert also continues to be in effect at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County.

The Heritage Hazardous Waste Site Review Committee, assigned to review and report on a hazardous waste management facility proposed by Heritage Disposal and Storage, has announced two upcoming meetings, to be held June 21 and June 23 in Alda.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County. An alert also continues to be in effect at Swan Creek Lake #5A, (also known as Willard Meyer Recreational Area) in Saline County. A health alert has ended at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County.

There were no new health alerts issued for toxic blue-green algae this week, and a health alert has ended at Swan Creek Lake #5A, after it tested low for two consecutive weeks. Although readings were low at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County, the alert continues to be in effect at least until July 1, because lakes that are on alert must have two consecutive readings below the threshold before an alert is discontinued.

The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County. A health alert has ended at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County.