The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has received questions concerning debris management and other issues caused by the mid-March flooding. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers.

Can I burn carcasses that are on my property?
Yes, with proper permits obtained by NDEQ and the local fire department.

Do I have to pump my septic tank after the flood?
No, you do not have to pump. You should check to make sure it has not filled with mud or sediment from the flood.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and its partners have begun weekly sampling of public lakes across Nebraska.

This sampling will test for harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E. coli bacteria at 51 public recreational lakes across the state. The testing takes place annually from May through September. In coordination with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the state will issue Health Alerts for HABs when test results indicate the toxin microcystin are at levels above 20 parts per billion.

Updated information: June 24, 2019 - The June 25 public hearing has been cancelled because there was no hearing request received during the 3-day notification and comment period.

July 8, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) Annual Report on Modeled Facilities is generated to meet the requirements set forth in 40 CFR 51.1205. This report describes the current status of areas subject to the Data Requirements Rule (DRR) for the 2010 1-hour Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). These areas were designated as in attainment with the 2010 SO2 Primary NAAQS based on results from air dispersion modeling.

July 10, 2019 -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will present a Flood Debris Management Webinar at 11 a.m. July 25th. This presentation is intended for home and small business owners as well as municipalities planning for future events.

This is the first of a series of monthly webinars planned through December 2019, and is part of a new outreach effort that is the result of input received from stakeholders through the spring 2019 public outreach and program participation survey.

Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, Adams, Kearney, Phelps, Gosper, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Dawson, Thayer

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) 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.
 

Aug. 1, 2019 – The Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy will be coordinating the annual meeting of the Nebraska Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting scheduled from10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on August 22, 2019 at 1111 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68508 in conference Room 602.

For additional information, please see the meeting agenda below, or contact Belinda Fowler at (402) 471-8697.
 

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will present an Air Compliance 101 Webinar on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, 11:00 a.m. This seminar is intended for facilities subject to Air Quality requirements in the State of Nebraska, and will provide beneficial information for environmental professionals and others involved in air quality issues regarding the inspection process, stack testing and online reporting. The seminar is also open to the general public.

During joint inspections, members of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and members of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 can work together to provide a thorough and efficient inspection process.

In May, an NDEE air compliance and inspection specialist participated in an EPA-led inspection at Trenton Agri Products in Trenton, Nebraska. Trenton Agri Products produces ethanol and associated co-products.