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A Publication of the Nebraska Environmental Trust |
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Dave Heineman, GovernorBoard of TrusteesDistrict I |
June 2008In This Issue:
Message from the Executive DirectorLate May and June have brought some rocky weather across the heartland. Most of the rain has been welcomed, but in places it has brought some flooding. The tornados in Nebraska have not involved any fatalities like in some of the surrounding states, but Nebraska lives were lost just across the border in Iowa. There has been much destruction from flooding, hail, strong winds and tornados in the Midwest. The weather folks claim we are on track for a record setting year for the number of tornados in the U.S. Speaking of records, fuel prices have gone through the roof. Hopefully there will be some advances in hybrid, electric and hydrogen vehicle production. It sounds like there is a waiting list now for Toyota Prius models and Honda has announced it is getting back into the hybrid market in 2009. Honda's last attempt failed miserably. I think $4 a gallon gas is changing some people's thinking and driving habits. Electric cars are still having trouble in holding enough power to go much more than 100 miles per charge and the hydrogen cars are being used primarily in California where hydrogen stations are available. The Trust Board will be having its annual two day meeting in Alma next month. The Board will meet July 24th and 25th and will get an update and tour some of the vegetation control and removal on the Republican River along with an update and tour of Harlan County Reservoir. Have a safe and enjoyable summer. Mark A. Brohman Susan Seacrest Retires from Nebraska Environmental Trust Board
Susan Seacrest has tendered her resignation from the Trust Board. Susan was one of the original Board Members when the Trust Board was formed in 1993 and has served continuously over the past 15 plus years. Susan recently retired from the Groundwater Foundation as she began a new chapter in her life. Susan has accepted a position at Lincoln's North Star High School and will be a full-time guidance counselor for students coming to the US from foreign countries along with some teaching duties in the Science program dealing with water. "Susan will be sorely missed by the Trust as she was always an active Board Member" said Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust. "Susan brought so much energy and so many ideas to the Board that she will be impossible to replace. There is only one Susan and we are going to miss her. We hope to be able to tap into her talents in the future in some way." Trust Board Chairman, Paul Dunn of Omaha said, "The wealth of knowledge Susan possesses about the Trust and her passion for groundwater will never be matched. Susan was always so humble about her accomplishments but my fellow board members and I knew how special she is, and it was made plain in her selection as recipient of the 2007 Heinz Award for the environment. I am privileged to have worked with her for a better Nebraska, and to call her friend." Susan said, "I will cherish all the wonderful memories of serving on the Trust for almost 16 years." Governor Dave Heineman will appoint Susan's replacement. Her replacement will need to be from the First Congressional District, which includes most of eastern Nebraska except Douglas and part of Sarpy Counties.
Ribbon Cutting at North Platte Household Hazardous Waste Facility
The partnership between The Nebraska Environmental Trust, Keep Nebraska Beautiful and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, make it possible for residents of North Platte to enjoy year-round access to a safe, permanent household hazardous waste collection facility. Volunteers and officials held a public ribbon cutting with help from the North Platte Hostesses on April 5, 2008. The ribbon cutting kicked off one of the last spring household hazardous waste collection events that will be held in the area. Since 1998, the City of North Platte and Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful (KNPLCB) have held two collection events per year to allow residents of Lincoln County a safe disposal option for their household hazardous waste materials. The new facility will eliminate the need for the twice yearly collection events as the public transitions to utilizing the new facility on a year-round basis. The building is located at 1308 N. Sycamore and is open to residents of Lincoln County on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building currently accepts a wide variety of products including: auto fluids, bug sprays, batteries, car wax, engine degreaser, floor care products, fuel, pesticides, furniture polish, metal polish with solvent, lighter fluid, mercury thermometers, moth balls, paints, primer, turpentine, varnish, rat poison, solvent-based glue, and fluorescent light bulbs. The facility features a "swap" shop component, as usable items are held and made available for reuse to the public at no cost. The city reuses motor oil on-site to heat the Public Service Department shops. Cell phones, laser and inkjet cartridges are all sent to a recycling agency and provide funding to KNPLCB’s educational efforts. The Lincoln County Weed Authority also collects usable pesticides for reuse on public lands and many of the paint related products are claimed for reuse by public entities including the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The City expects to see great public support and utilization of this facility for years to come. The City will continue to work with KNPLCB to educate the public on safe, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional household chemicals and proper and safe disposal methods for other items. Future plans include adding a drop-off storage facility for the collection of recyclable electronics.
2008 Invasive Species Conference A Huge Success!The 2008 Invasive Species Summit held at the Gering Civic Center May 6-8, 2008 was a tremendous success in bringing together those interested in educating themselves about the increasing problem of invasive species. More than 200 people, including the Trust's Director, Mark Brohman and Grants Administrator, Lisa Beethe attended the Summit over the three days. They were able to hear nationally-recognized speakers from all across the country, visit booths and make vendor contacts in the field of invasive species management, as well as be a part of a local watershed tour and equipment demonstration on the final day of the conference. Other participants included BASF, Twin Cities Development, Alligare, Missouri River Coalition, Nebraska Wyoming Invasive Species Task Force, DOW AgroSciences, DuPont, Wyoming Weed & Pest Control, UAP Crop Care, William Walker, North Platte NRD, Panhandle RC&D, Nebraska Weed Control Association, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Goshen County Weed & Pest Control, Warne Chemical & Equipment, Inc., Pheasants Forever, North Platte Valley Conservation District, South Goshen Conservation District, the Nebraska Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society, Van Diest Supply Co., Curt Beyer, William Boyer, LTD/Genesis Laboratories, Diamond Mores, Platte Tracks, Skycopters, PFM Manufacturing, TDS Collection Service, Compass Tools Inc., FECON Inc., and NuFarm Americas as well as the numerous individuals who put forth their time and resources to make it happen. The High Plains Weed Management Association thanked the Nebraska Environmental Trust for its support through grant monies of $14,100 for the Invasive Species Summit, as well as the support received for numerous other Panhandle projects. To learn more about High Plains Weed Management Association, including current projects and grant information, please visit www.hpwma.org or contact Project Manager Dennis Beyer at (308) 633-1264. Snapshots from the 2008 Invasive Species Conference
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