July 2021 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.











Accomplishments:
  • On July 1, NDEE celebrated its 50th anniversary and the operational date of LB 148 — merging Drinking Water, Environmental Safety, and Water Well Standards programs into the agency. The day also marked the second anniversary of merging with the Nebraska Energy Office.
  • NDEE selected 13 finalists for its 2022 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” K-12 statewide student calendar contest. The students, their families and teachers were invited to an award ceremony at the State Capitol building on Aug. 6 to celebrate. Copies of the calendar will be available for free starting Sept. 1.
  • NDEE expanded its air sampling network by adding a continuous monitor at Homestead National Historic Park in Beatrice. The monitor samples for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5). This brings NDEE’s sampling network to eight, with others in Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Lincoln, Blair, Bellevue, and two in Omaha.
  • The State Revolving Fund program’s Loans and Grants Tracking System has been enhanced to produce financial statements that will help the agency develop both state and EPA reports. This will save 100 hours of processing time each year by eliminating the need for manually calculated statements.


Emerging Risks/Issues:
  • Since July 20, wildfires in Canada and the western U.S. have affected the air quality in Nebraska. Air Quality Index values from July 20 to August 11 have ranged from Good to Unhealthy. NDEE has been coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Weather Service to issue Air Quality advisories as needed. This information is also available on AirNow.gov.


Miscellaneous:
  • NDEE opened its 2022 Waste, Litter, and Scrap Tire grant application period from July 14 to Aug. 25.
  • NDEE’s IT team has developed an online KanBoard to track projects across the agency. The program is expected to be available for agency use in August.
  • Five new members were appointed to the Environmental Quality Council and five current members were reappointed for four-year terms. The EQC still has three vacancies.