2016 Boards and Commissions

Nebraska Environmental Trust

General Information

Formal Name:Nebraska Environmental Trust
Contact Person:Mark Brohman, Executive Director, 402-471-6795
Purpose:Conserving, enhancing, and restoring the natural physical and biological environment in Nebraska, including the air, land, ground water and surface water, flora and fauna, prairies and forests, wildlife and wildlife habitat, and natural areas of aesthetic or scenic values.
How Many Affectable:The Trust has funded over 1900 projects in all 93 counties.
How Many Served:Easily more than half of Nebraskas population, one million citizens.
Year Created:1992
Year Active:1993
Sunset Date:NA

Authorization

Authorization Citation:81-15,170
Parent Agency:By statute, The Game and Parks Commission shall provide administrative support, including, but not limited to, payroll and accounting functions, to the board.

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:14
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes
Qualifications Of Members:The board shall consist of the Director of Environmental Quality, the Director of Natural Resources, the Director of Agriculture, the secretary of the Game and Parks Commission, the chief executive officer of the Department of Health and Human Services or his or her designee, and nine citizens appointed by the Governor with the approval of a majority of the Legislature. The citizen members shall begin serving immediately following notice of nomination and prior to approval by the Legislature.
Per Diem:No
Expense Reimbursement:All members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary travel expenses
Term Length:6 years for citizen board members
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 13-14:4
Held FY 13-14:4
Required FY 14-15:4
Held FY 14-15:4
Required FY 15-16:4
Held FY 15-16:4

Operations

Support Staff:5-Exec. Dir.Grants Adm.Grants Assis. Pub. Rel. Off.Adm. Assis.
Shared or Separate:The Trust receives adm. support from the NE Game and Parks Comm.
FY 13-14 Budget:$22M
FY 14-15 Budget:$20M
FY 15-16 Budget:$19M
Other Funding Sources:Only Nebraska Lottery
Spending Authority:$20M

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2012:In the four past year the Trust has granted over $80M to projects across the State of Nebraska for water, air, soil, habitat, recycling and waste. Some of those grants included restored Plum Creek Lake in Lexington and Lake Helen in Gothenburg, funded electric and compressed natural gas vehicles across the state, supported the Water Leaders Academy, funded the Master Naturalist program, restored Spring Lake in Omaha, funded multiple research projects on water reductions and soil protection in Nebraskas agricultural fields, control invasive species across the state, provided grants to aid Natural Resources Districts in carrying out their missions, funded water displays at the Lincoln and Omaha Childrens Museums, provided grants to purchase recycling equipment, grants for tree planting projects across the state, chemical cleanouts in Nebraska high schools, fund the B-cycle program in Omaha, and partnered on the Nebraska Game and Park Commissions permanent State Fair Display.