Access to a clean and safe environment is a goal that all Nebraskans agree on. In order to realize and sustain this goal, our communities must have the ability to provide high quality drinking water, be able to adequately treat wastewater, and provide sound waste management services, including viable recycling systems, for their citizens. Our communities struggle as they balance the challenges of:
Complex environmental regulations
Limited financial resources
Aging infrastructure
Aging population
Small communities getting smaller
The Nebraska Environmental Partnerships (NEP) program is a unique state-coordinated program aimed at helping small towns meet these challenges through a team process that helps local communities prioritize risks and find technically and financially feasible solutions to issues they face.
Rather than establishing mandates and expecting citizens to comply, the program establishes partnerships with communities to find customized solutions that will benefit all. It is a consensus teamwork approach.
NEP typically works with communities of 1,000 people and fewer whose needs are as unique as the towns themselves. All work and recommendations made by the NEP are based on the individual community's specific needs. Meetings are held at the request and convenience of local community leaders. The local leaders determine the extent of the NEP’s involvement. Decisions remain in the hands of the local community leaders.
Some of the services NEP provides include:
Identifying financially feasible solutions to problems
Assisting in finding financial assistance
Helping to implement solutions
Because meeting environmental health regulations is increasingly complex, it is often impossible for one person to have the expertise to address all the issues that arise. That is why NEP employs a team approach to working with the communities.
The team must rely on creativity and innovation in order to address the unique issues that might be encountered when working with small towns throughout the state. Seldom are there "formula" or "textbook" solutions available. NEP takes a comprehensive approach to finding the most appropriate solutions for communities with which they work.
Specific team members vary depending on the issues being addressed by the community, but general guidelines on who might be included are: Community officials, utilities representatives and consulting engineers from the local community; representatives from the State Departments of Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, and Economic Development; representatives from federal agencies; and possibly regional representatives from the Natural Resources Districts, Midwest Assistance Program, and/or Nebraska Rural Water Association.
From the standpoint of NDEQ, NEP team members spend a good deal of time concentrating on the following issues:
Working with communities needing technical, financial, and/or managerial assistance
Identifying communities that lack sewer systems
Assisting communities in meeting water quality standards
Assisting communities that need to upgrade or construct new facilities
Meeting critical public health needs associated from a natural or manmade disaster
Identifying various other environmental issues (i.e., waste reduction grants, open burning, etc.)
Providing training throughout the state for wastewater operators, clerks, communities, board members, consultants, etc.
Preliminary Engineering Reports are first steps towards drinking water project funding. NEP administers a Planning Grant program through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that can assist in the procurement of a Preliminary Engineering Report.
Facility Plans are first steps towards wastewater project funding. NEP also administers a Facility Planning Grant program through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund that can assist in the procurement of a Facility Plan.
A community must be listed on the current Intended Use Plan and considered “high priority” in order to receive Planning Grants and Facility Planning Grants.
In order to expand services, but continue its mission of working with small Nebraska communities, the NEP has begun partnering with NDEQ’s Waste Management Division’s Planning & Aid unit and the University’s Partnership for Rural Nebraska Education Committee.
The Planning & Aid unit includes the following programs: Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants; Litter Reduction and Recycling Grants; Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup; and the Landfill Disposal Fee Rebate Program. NEP assists in grant reviews and other areas as needed.
The Partnership for Rural Nebraska is a cooperative commitment by the State of Nebraska, University of Nebraska, the Federal Government and Regional Groups. Its mission is to improve the effectiveness of resources that support local-based rural development efforts statewide, and to better utilize human and financial resources for rural development.
NEP will provide NDEQ assistance information pertinent to all communities throughout the state. This information includes technical assistance, funding sources information, non-regulatory assistance, and many other topics relevant to the communities.
If you have questions about this or any other NEP program, please contact Jackie Stumpff, NEP Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, (402) 471-3193, or email: Jackie.Stumpff@ndeq.state.ne.us.