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A Monthly Publication of the Nebraska Environmental Trust |
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Dave Heineman, GovernorBoard of TrusteesDistrict I |
October 2007In This Issue
October Feature Stories:
NET takes part in Husker Harvest Days 2007
The Trust recently took part in the Husker Harvest Days exhibition that was held near Grand Island from September 11-13. The world's largest, working, irrigated farm show was well attended by many Nebraskans as well as those from out of state. It was the 30th year of Husker Harvest Days and this year it was bigger than ever. More than 600 exhibitors showed off their latest in Ag technologies. Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Nebraska Environmental Trust said that," Close to $1 million in grants had been given to agricultural projects alone in Nebraska in 2007. The agricultural sector has not only played a crucial role in Nebraska's economy, it has been a major partner in preserving the environment. We are fortunate to have a large number of citizens in the farming and ranching communities who are environmentally conscious and are willing to adopt environmentally friendly practices for the preservation of Nebraska resources." Out of 67 projects funded this year, 10 projects had a direct benefit to the agricultural environment. Commenting on the Husker Harvest Days participation, Matt Jungmann, Show Manager said, "All the exhibitors put their heart and soul into this. I mean this is the largest gathering of their customers that they're going to get to see so they want to be sure to put on the right face for it." Nebraska Environmental Trust Invites Comments on 2008 Grant ApplicationsThe Nebraska Environmental Trust entered the 2008 grant cycle on September 4, receiving 94 applications requesting a total of $26,665,243.00. As part of the grant application process, the Trust invites members of the public to review the proposed grants and provide written comments about the projects. A summary of each proposal is available on the Trust's web site www.environmentaltrust.org. Comments on the grant applications will be accepted until March 28, 2008 at the Nebraska Environmental Trust, 700 S.16th St., P.O. Box 94913, Lincoln, NE 68509-4913 or via e-mail at grants@environmentaltrust.org The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $112 million in grants to more than 952 projects across the state. Anyone - citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations. Brohman Addresses MayorsMark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust, gave two presentations September 21st in Gering at the League of Nebraska Municipalities’ annual conference. There were about 80 mayors and city administrators attending the two seminars. Brohman said, “It was nice talking to so many communities at once and making them aware of the Trust and the great projects we have sponsored in small and large towns across the state.” New Staff Member On BoardThe Trust recently welcomed a new staff member on board. Deb Svasek joined the team on September 4, 2007 as Administrative Secretary. Deb comes from South Dakota and was previously employed with America Tours West in Rapid City. Prior to that she worked for the South Dakota Attorney General's Office in the Narcotics Enforcement Unit. Deb and her husband Ron recently relocated to Lincoln to be close to family. Trust Assists Missouri River Clean-UpThe Nebraska Environmental Trust participated in the second annual Missouri River Clean-Up held September 22nd in Omaha. The Trust provided a $2500 Public Information and Education Minigrant to the sponsors of the clean-up, Back-To-The-River Inc. and Missouri River Relief. Over 280 volunteers showed up at 8:30 am on a Saturday to participate. Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust, participated and said, “It was great seeing so many people, especially the kids, showing up early on a Saturday morning to pick up trash along the river.” Volunteers were shuttled out to nearby river bank sites by boats provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Parks Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They were given a pair of gloves, a tee-shirt and a free lunch cooked by a local boy scout troop for their efforts. Over 5 tons of trash were collected by volunteers. Last year drew about 140 volunteers, so the event doubled in size this year.
2007 Missouri River Outdoor Expo Huge SuccessThe Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park, September 22nd and 23rd, was very successful. There were approximately 40,000 people who attended the two day event which was children and family oriented. There were over 75 hands-on demonstrations including: kayaking, fishing, hunting, trapping, outdoor cooking, game calling, fly tying and shooting sports. The Trust had a booth at the event and took advantage of the opportunity to share with the public the great things we have funded over the years, explain how the Trust is funded and how grants are awarded. The Trust also funded a $2,000 PIE Grant towards the project. It would appear, after visiting with some of the kids, that the boat rides on the Missouri River and being able to handle fish and turtles in the tanks were two of their favorite activities. The Expo had something for everyone and it was evident the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, who sponsors the event, has a hit.
Camp Cornhusker Lake Restoration Project To Commence By The End Of The YearThe Camp Cornhusker Lake Restoration project is expected to start later this year with the commencement of the engineering phase sometime in November. The planned restoration will help the Cornhusker Council, Boy Scouts of America achieve many objectives when scouts attend camp and use the facility. The current sedimentation of the lake has had negative impacts on the lake including reduced lake capacity, degrading water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, thereby significantly reducing educational and recreational activities. The restoration process will place emphasis on scout participation in all aspects of the project, providing hands on learning experience and reducing project cost by contributing in-kind services. The lake provides recreational opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing, sailing, fish and wildlife management, soil and water conservation, geology, insect study, life-saving, safety, mammal study, nature, plant science and reptile and amphibian study. Approximately 22,500 CY of sediment is expected to be excavated from the lake resulting in 25% of the area lake having a depth greater than 12 feet. A new sand beach front will also be added for launching and landing boats. The Cornhusker Council serves 7000 scouts and over 2000 volunteer leaders in 16 counties of Southeast Nebraska and their offices are located at their other camp in Walton, just east of Lincoln. Camp Cornhusker, south of Humboldt, celebrated it’s 50th year during the summer of 2006 and camps over 1000 people each summer.
Lake Treatment To Take Place In OctoberWhile the water-based recreation season is winding down for most people, several agencies are about to begin treatments to improve conditions at Fremont Lake #20 for next year. From June of 2004 through June 2006, 23 of the 82 (28 percent) algae toxin samples collected from Fremont #20 exceeded beach-closing criterion. This resulted in the beach being closed for 25 weeks making this one of the most impacted public lakes in the state for blue green algae toxins. If ingested, blue green algae can cause serious illness to humans and animals. In October, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Fisheries and Parks Divisions), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Department of Environmental Quality staff will begin a week long aluminium sulfate (alum) application. Alum binds chemically to phosphorus, removing the phosphorus from the water column and controlling its release from sediments in order to limit algal growth. These treatments, which are not toxic to humans or aquatic life, have long been used in advanced wastewater treatment and more currently in stormwater treatment to remove phosphorus. The first component of the project was to conduct a complete fish renovation, which was completed in April of this year. An extensive 5-year monitoring program was initiated in 2006 to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments and the applicability for other recreation lakes around the state. The project was made possible through funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fremont Lake #20 will remain closed for public use until the project is completed.
Papio-Missouri River NRDThe Papio-Missouri River Corridor Project is one of several on-going projects that the NRD has participated in over the past 18 years. The project started late this spring and is in Northeast Burt County and is designed to restore a portion of the hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat along the Missouri River that was destroyed due to the many decades of channelization and bank stabilization work. The site incorporates the widening of the existing channel, providing slower and shallow water areas for fish to feed, breed and rest as well as creating backwater chute habitat. Much of the approximately 600 acres of land within the project site will be restored to native prairie and floodplain forest. The project is being funded by the Corps of Engineers under their Section 1135 funding authority, the Papio-Missouri River NRD and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The total cost of the project is estimated at over $5 million and should be completed by summer of 2008. |
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