Save the Date!
Join us for the re-opening of Zorinsky Lake – April 28, 1:00 – 4:00pm. See informational flyer…
The Good and the Bad
Well, obviously I’m no good at this blogging thing. I really should keep up with this more!
But, I do have more updates (both good and bad)
The Good…
The Nebraska Invasive Species Project recently received a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to begin an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program…Thanks to all of you who sent letters of support! Here’s a press release about the grant.
Also, the Zorinsky Lake Clean-up and Educational Event was a huge success. The USACE estimates nearly 800 volunteers showed up to help! Channel 6 News
The Bad…
It looks like LB391 (which would create the Nebraska Invasive Species Council – a united front against all invasives), is going to have to wait another year. The bill passed out of the Natural Resource Committee with flying colors and was recommended for Consent Calendar. Despite the fact that there were two separate Consent Calendars, the bill was not picked up for the floor. Looks like we will be at it again next session. The Aquatic Invasive Species bill (LB 392) is still sitting in Committee, but on the docket for next session as well.
Invasive Species Legislation…good news!
LB391 (the legislation to officially create/recognize the Nebraska Invasive Species Advisory Council) was advanced out of committee with no dissenting votes and was placed on the Consent Calendar! For those of you like me – what this means is that the bill will be debated and voted on this session; however, we do not have a date yet.
Information on the bill can be found here: http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=12091
FYI:
A Consent Calendar is for bills that are not controversial and were passed unanimously from the committee (so they are expected to just go to the floor and fly right by). The Natural Resource committee saw 391 as noncontroversial and the Committee agreed to add it to the Consent Calendar. The Speaker of the Legislature can include a Consent Calendar on the agenda one or multiple times during the session. They will announce the Consent Calendar at least 24 hours before they are debated (sorry don’t have a date yet). The bill will get 15 min. for introduction and debate, then a vote is taken. Unfortunately, LB392 did not have as much luck and likely will not get out this session (with the fiscal aspect, it is not exactly noncontroversial). It will, however, remain on the docket for next session. I’ll keep everyone updated if I hear anything.
For those of you with an iPhone/Pad, etc
A new Nebraska Invasives iPhone app is now on the store. Thanks Bruce Stephen for creating this!!!
Web page:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nebraska-invasives/id426613210?mt=8
Link opens itunes:
http://itunes.com/app/NebraskaInvasives
And if you are privy enough to have one of these devices, please let me know when I can borrow it so I can fully explore this app!
Watch the hearings!
Want to watch the hearings for the invasive species bills? Go to http://www.netnebraska.org/publicmedia/capitol.html . Look to the ‘Nebraska Capitol Live’ in the center of the page. Then on the right are the different hearing rooms. Click on 1525. The hearings start at 1:30 today!
New Noxious Weed in Nebraska
For those of you who haven’t heard, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture recently added Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinenis), and their cultivars and hybrids to the state’s Noxious Weed list. According to Mitch Coffin, manager of the NDA Noxious Weed Program, Japanese and giant knotweed can threaten both open and riparian areas. Plants may spread rapidly and from dense monocultures.
Watch this Video!
Infestations of this weed are limited, at this point, which gives us a great opportunity to eradicate it before it really becomes a problem; saving both time and money in the long-run.
More information available at a number of sites, including:
OWH Zebra Mussel Cartoon
It’s always nice to see the humor in a serious situation. Thanks OWH!
