CONTACT:

Sheila Johnson
Public Information Officer, Nebraska Environmental Trust
Phone: (402) 471-5409
Fax: (402) 471-8233
sheila.johnson@nebraska.gov

Press Release: Nebraska Environmental Trust Five-Year Funding Categories Public Meeting

Lincoln, NE –September 10, 2009–The Nebraska Environmental Trust will be holding public meetings for the Five-Year Funding Categories as recommended by the Board.

The Nebraska Environmental Trust Board reviewed public input from the June 26, 2009 category roundtable and survey results from participants and others at the July 30, 2009, 3rd Quarter Board Policy Discussion Session. The Board decided that most participants were satisfied with the existing funding categories and only slight modifications were needed in two of the categories.

The first change was within the Surface and Ground Water category.  The Board decided to change “…lakes, streams and ground water…” to “…lakes, waterways and groundwater…”.  This change was seen as being more descriptive.

The second change was within the Air Quality category.  The recommended change was from “implementing clean air strategies; actions to research,…” to “implementing clean air strategies; including greenhouse gas reductions; actions to research…”.  This change allows some additional attention to be provided to energy related projects.
 
There was discussion about adding, deleting and combining funding categories, but in the end the small modifications were the only recommended changes.  After much discussion about noxious weeds, the board determined the Trust had funded many noxious weed projects under the current categories.  Energy projects were discussed and the slight change of adding “including greenhouse gas reduction” was believed to address the issue at this time.

The public meetings will be held on: Monday, September 28, 2009, 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 8901 South 154th Street, Omaha; Monday, September 28, 2009, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Ferguson House, 700 South 16th Street, Lincoln and Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Mid-Plains Community College Theater, South Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte.

For more information, you may contact Ms Sheila Johnson at 402- 471-1714.

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