LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) and its partners have begun weekly sampling of public beaches across Nebraska for 2023.

This sampling will test for microcystin — a toxin produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae — and E. coli bacteria at 55 public beaches at 50 recreational lakes across the state. The testing takes place annually from May through September.

Due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate valuable and renewable biogas energy, anaerobic digesters are a topic of growing interest within the agricultural sector.

To ensure that agricultural facilities with anaerobic digesters operate in an environmentally responsible manner, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) regulates and permits agricultural facilities with digesters in the state.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Glenn Cunningham Lake.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lake on alert measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

May 16, 2023 -- Nebraska's 2023 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public comment. The Network Plan was developed to comply with Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 58.10.

Grant applications for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) 2024 Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive, Litter Reduction and Recycling, and Scrap Tire programs can be submitted between June 28 and August 9, 2023 (4:00 p.m. CST). The grant term will be January 1 through December 31, 2024. Grant decisions will be announced in December 2023. An estimated $3 million will be available for Litter grants and $4.5 million for Waste grants.

Composting is one way Nebraskans can divert organic waste from landfills. This process promotes biodegradation of organic materials like leaves, grass clippings and some food items to create a useful product that makes soil more fertile. Sludge, also referred to as biosolids, from wastewater treatment facilities and livestock waste can also be composted.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County.

Samples taken earlier this week at Pawnee Lake measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

Summer is underway, and for many, pools can be a place to cool off and have fun. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DWEE) works to ensure those pools are operated safely and that swimmers’ health is protected.

DWEE oversees the state’s Swimming Pool Program, which trains and certifies pool operators, conducts inspections of public swimming pools and reviews and issues construction permits for public pools.

The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County, Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County, and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County.

After being on alert last week, Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County has been removed from alert.
Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.