Accomplishments: • EPA’s Environmental Compliance History Online shows the Nebraska NPDES rate for Significant Non Compliance (SNC) is 6%. EPA’s national goal is an SNC reduction to 12%. NDEE applies data management, assistance, inspection, informal enforcement, and formal enforcement to address SNC.
• NDEE/DHHS released lead sampling data. NDEE’s Drinking Water Program partnered with local health departments across the state to provide free lead testing in drinking water samples collected at schools and licensed childcare facilities. This sampling was made possible through the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act grant.
• $6.7 million was awarded through 155 grants to help fund litter and waste reduction projects, recycling programs, and pay costs for scrap tire cleanups and collections for household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and pharmaceuticals. These awards are made possible through the Litter Reduction and Recycling and Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive grant programs.
• NDEE to provide 1.3 million in rebates for replacing diesel vehicles and irrigation engines through the Clean Diesel Program. This program is funded by an annual grant from the EPA and supplemented by Nebraska’s share of the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Mitigation Trust. Rebates went to 30 farmers, 12 school districts, one school bus contractor, and three refuse companies.
Miscellaneous:• The Industrial Storm Water general permit has been signed and goes into effect on April 1. Between April 1 and October1 two NDEE staff will process more than 1,017 facilities submitting ISW renewals. This is taking place at the same time as the normal seasonal increase in Construction Storm Water applications and also an increase Livestock Construction and Operating permit applications.