July 2020 Metrics Report


NDEE produces a monthly metrics report to measure what the agency has accomplished; to set annual and longer-term goals; and to examine these goals against accomplishments to ensure continuous process improvements.





Emerging Risks/Issues:
  • NDEE offered 2020 waste reduction and recycling grantees a one-year extension if they were unable to hold their planned events due to COVID-19 impact, and 12 grantees submitted requests. Extended 2020 grant funds could reduce the amount of 2021 requests.
  • NDEE, in cooperation with DHHS, is working with local health departments across the state to make lead testing for drinking water available for public schools and child care facilities. Testing is set to begin Sept. 1 and will end in April 2021.

  • NDEE is publishing a ‘COVID-19 FAQ for Food Service Professionals’ guidance document as school kitchens prepare to reopen for the 2020-2021 year. The document was prepared in response to a call with nearly 140 school kitchen managers to answer questions about food safety.


Accomplishments:
  • The Kathleen Lute Public Library in Ogallala opened in July on the former Progress Elementary School site. NDEE’s Brownfields Program provided funding to complete the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, asbestos-containing materials survey, and asbestos abatement on this site, which helped make this redevelopment possible.
  • The department launched the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program (RFIP) to provide grants for retailers who install ethanol blender pumps in areas of the state with limited access to biofuels. This statutory program is being funded through a recent 3-year grant received from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Miscellaneous:
  • The Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) is reviewing design and construction plans for the Lewis and Clark Landing redevelopment project to ensure those plans do not compromise the integrity of the site’s previous cleanup actions. The area was the former Asarco Lead Refinery site, and was the department’s first VCP project in the late 1990s.