The Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) have funding and equipment available to assist communities and landowners with flood recovery. Their staffs are available to assess the impacts of flooding on public green spaces including arboreta, parks, school properties, street corridors, fairgrounds, etc. They will also provide heavy equipment (free of charge) for use by both communities and landowners. Some conditions apply, please see below.
Grant Funding Available
Funding is available through the NSA and NFS to assist with new tree planting. This could also include site preparation costs related to flood cleanup. Approximately $200,000 is available. An alternative is to apply for funding that would assist with projects that improve landscape resiliency on public properties. Communities can contact the Nebraska Forest Service directly at 402-472-2944 or submit a brief request at the link below.
https://nfs.unl.edu/flooding-requests
RESOURCE: Inspecting flood damaged trees: https://nfs.unl.edu/publications/inspecting-flood-damaged-trees
Equipment for Emergency Loan
The NFS is able to provide equipment and other materials related to flood recovery at no charge. They ask that items be actively in service or returned for use by another community. Depending on the item requested, some training or qualifications may be required. Please contact Lew Sieber for more information: lsieber2@unl.edu or 402-624-8061.
Quantity Item
4 5K gallon potable water trailers
2 16ft refrigerated trailers, bumper pull
1 53 ft refrigerated semi trailer
1 motor grader, jd 773bh
2 non-potable water trailer
7 UTV: 1-4 seater, rest are 2 seater
2 portable tower floodlight sets
25 1 ½” water pumps
2 6” water pumps
2 10 kW generators on trailers
1 3 kW generator
1 1 ½ yard wheel loader
1 6k rough terrain telehandler forklift