The state has issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Swan Creek Lake #5A (Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area) in Saline County. A health alert also continues to be in effect at Kirkman’s Cove in Richardson County.

The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2013 “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 Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is proposing approval of a soil cleanup plan at the Magnolia Metals facility, 63859 730th Road, Auburn. Soil at this site is contaminated with lead as a result of previous foundry operations.

Aug. 28, 2012 -- Nebraska's 2012 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is available for public comment. The Network Plan was developed to comply with new Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 58.10.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced today that TransCanada has submitted a Supplemental Environmental Report to the agency that provides detailed route information for the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska. TransCanada had submitted a preliminary report to the state in April, 2012, and NDEQ had responded in July with an initial feedback report.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Mike Linder today announced the awarding of $1,692,426 in grants for waste reduction and recycling projects. The grants are available through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Fund. This fund is generated by a fee on solid waste disposed of in landfills (disposal fee), an annual retail business sales fee (business fee), and a fee assessed on the sale of new tires for motor vehicles (tire fee). Tire fee grants totaling $1.86 million for projects related to tire recycling were previously announced in May.

Public Hearing, Information Session to be Held in Albion Dec. 4

The Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled four meetings to discuss proposed revisions to Title 133 - Litter Reduction and Recycling Grants Program. A draft of the proposed revisions is on the NDEQ web page at https://dee.nebraska.gov/home then choose “Laws & Regulations” then select “Proposed Rules and Regulations” or click here Proposed Regulations.

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Director Mike Linder has announced the awarding of $1,765,776 in 55 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 Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has announced a new deadline for submissions for Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant applications. Applications for 2014 grants are due August 1, 2013.

The Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant Program provides funds annually to support programs to reduce litter, provide education and promote recycling in Nebraska. Grants may be awarded to both public and private entities.