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CHAPEL of the Lake SERVICES: Weekly Sunday Services are at 8:30 a.m. Click on Area EVENTS & NEWS for a link to the weekly schedule or copy the following and paste into your browser:

http://www.jldi.org/home/chapel-services

JOHNSON LAKES FIREWORKS DISPLAY -- -- The Johnson Lake fireworks display will be Friday Night, July 3rd (Rain date: July 11). The display will begin about dusk. Take your friends out on the boat and watch the display from your boat. Don't forget to visit our local establishments for dinner before the display and for refreshments afterwards. Your support is appreciated. Check under Places to Stay & Eat on the Navigation Panel on the left side of this page... Fireworks Display Donations may be mailed to: Johnson Lake Fireworks Fund, c/o Dick Hove, 32 Mallard Cove, Johnson Lake, NE 68937. (Please be sure to write "fireworks fund" in the memo.)

GOLFING AT JOHNSON LAKE -- --
Click on the link at the left under LINKS of Interest and checkout Lakeside Country Club's website for more information or
pick up the phone and call Pat for info. Or, check out the Central Nebraska Senior Golf website for links to all of the golf
courses in Nebraska; or join them and take part in their tourneys... Enjoy!!

Memorial Day services

Elwood — 10 a.m. Monday, services at Salem Cemetery on the road to Stockville, six to seven miles west of U.S. Highway 283. 11 a.m., services at the Elwood Cemetery with speaker the Rev. Linda Newman, pastor of the Christian Church in Elwood. The senior center will serve a sandwich and salad lunch at the senior center following the cemetery service

Cozad — 11 a.m. Monday, service at the high school auditorium with state Sen. John Wightman as featured speaker. The Cub Scouts hot dog feed to follow in the commons area. Avenue of flags will be displayed at Veterans Memorial Park.

Lexington — 10 a.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery, north of Lexington on Taft Street. Guest speaker is Lexington physician Pat Unterseher, with Paul Pack as clergy, recent Lexington High School graduate Melissa King singing the national anthem and Robert Anderson playing taps. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and affiliated auxiliaries will conduct the placing of wreaths ceremony.

Bertrand — 2 p.m. Sunday American Legion Post 67 and Bertrand VFW Honor Guard at Fairfield Cemetery; 3 p.m. honor guard at Highland Union Cemetery; 10 a.m. Monday service and program at Bertrand Community School Auditorium with speaker the Rev. Darrel Weismann; services with honor guard at 10:30 a.m. at Bertrand Highland Cemetery, 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Cemetery, 11:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch served afterward by American Legion Auxiliary at Bertrand Senior Center.

See the complete area listing in the Kearney HUB on line at:
http://www.kearneyhub.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20319031&BRD=268&PAG=461&dept_id=577571&rfi=6

JLDI's Annual Meeting will be on Friday Night, June 19th, at 7.00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Lake. Everyone is encouraged to attend for the latest update on the lake activities and JLDI's plans for the coming year.

SID PROJECT COMPLETION AND ASSESSMENTS---

It is anticipated and planned that the Project Engineers will certify the completion of the Waste Water Collection and Treatment Project Costs for the Johnson Lake Sewer Project at the SID#1 Board of Trustee's July 1st Meeting (@3:00 p.m.). At this time, the Board will establish the dates and means for Lot Holder's Notification of the Calculated Assessments against each benefited property within the District's boundary as well as Publication Dates for a Public Meeting and Hearing for anyone objecting thereto, providing proper notice has been given. These are anticipated for the later part of July; with the actual levy of the assessments will be sometime before mid-August by each respective county. Payment must be made within 50 days of this levy date of either the full amount or 1/15 of the principal; with the balance to be paid over the next 15 years bearing annual interest on the unpaid amount. More details will be forthcoming.

Sewer Construction Repairs---

6-15-09 Update: The July repairs have now been completed in advance by Marv and his crew of Van Kirk Bros Contracting for both sides of the lake. Future needs for dirt filling and possible over-seeding should continue to be reported by email to: SewerRepairs@jlake.org These repairs will then be scheduled for the week of September 13th; unless the contractor's schedules allows for an earlier return. Our thanks to Jim Van Kirk and Marv for handling these in such a prompt manner.

BUSINESS-AFTER HOURS Please join everyone for the Johnson Lake Chamber's Summer Business-After Hours and Membership Drive at LakeShore Marina on Saturday, June 20th from 2-4 p.m. (Appetizers will be served). Learn of the upcoming events and the Johnson Lake feature article in Nebraska Life Magazine. Meet the Editor and Publisher, Chris Amundson.

The local NRD has made available thru the Johnson Lake SID no-charge bacteria tests for the local J-lake wells via Ward Labs in Kearney. The area water operator can arrange to pick up a test sample bottle with instructions by calling the SID Operator, Ken at 785-2203 or the SID Clerk, Larry at 785-2353. This is for an 'annual test' of the private well for bacteria only; all other tests desired are the responsibility of the respective area association.

INTEREST RATES ARE AT AN ALL TIME LOW, CONTACT LINDA @ HOME FEDERAL REGARDING ANY OF YOUR HOME LOAN NEEDS... Go to this link:
http://sites.google.com/site/jlakeorg/links-of-interest/hmfed

SID#1 Assessment Notices will be mailed to all lot holders on or before Monday the 27th of July. The Notice will include a breakdown of all costs included in each individual service connection; as well as the common cost of the collection system for getting to your property. Please be on the watch for them. Anyone desiring to object at the Public Hearing on August 12th on account of errors, irregularities, or inequalities must file a written notice of such with the SID Clerk before August 11th at this address: SID Clerk, 3 Olmstead Circle, Johnson Lake, NE 68937-5260. More information is posted under the SID News link. If you have questions or need clarification, please email: SIDclerk@jlake.org or call Larry at 308-785-2353.

SEWER SINK HOLE REPAIRS -- Rather than wait until the scheduled September 13th time for taking care of the recent sink holes from the latest rains,Jim Van Kirk plans to have Marv and his crew make these repairs on Saturday, the 1st of August. If there are any additional repairs needed; be sure to email them to this address: SewerRepairs@jlake.org

FLOAT TUBE - Found floating in the middle of Johnson Lake, Saturday morning. You can claim by calling Mike Muth at 308-381-6785 and identifying it.

EMAIL from Matulka, Mari MUD 4-29-10 8:33 AM

Omaha World-Herald, April 29, 2010

Clean drinking water just one benefit from planting trees

BY JOHN ROSENOW

The writer, of Nebraska City, Neb., is the founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation.

When we think of forests, what comes to mind are majes­tic trees, precious wildlife and clean, fresh air. We probably don’t think about the water we drink. We should.

When you turn on your faucet this Arbor Day (tomorrow), take a moment and think about the important role trees play to make sure that what comes out of the tap is healthy and clean.

Most people know that trees produce oxygen that we breathe and clean the air by acting as giant filters, removing harmful particles and pollutants. But you may not be aware that trees work just as hard to protect and purify our water sources, including those that provide drinking water for millions of Americans every day.

Trees improve water quality by slowing rain as it falls to the earth and helping it soak into the soil. They also prevent soil from eroding into our waterways, reduce stormwater runoff and lessen flood damage. They serve as natural filters to protect our streams, rivers and lakes.

Forests in the United States are the source of drinking water for more than 180 million people, 59 percent of the U.S.

population. Forests help protect vital water sources such as sparkling mountain streams filled with melting snow, healthy reservoirs and lakes, and our nation’s vast web of rivers.

Our forested areas are shrink­ing at an alarming rate. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that more than 40 million acres of private forest could be lost in the next 40 years.

Why is that important? As Ag­riculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “While most Americans live in urban areas, most of us depend on rural lands, par­ticularly forest lands, for clean water and a healthy climate.”

One example of an urban area that depends on forested land for water is New York City. In the late 1990s, NYC leaders balked at a $6 billion water treatment system and instead opted to go with natural landscape management to clean the water it receives from the Catskill/Delaware watershed in upstate New York. The focus is on creating conservation easements along streams and reservoirs as well as protecting forest lands to keep sediment and runoff from entering the water supply.

The watershed provides most of New York City’s daily supply of drinking water, more than 1 billion gallons each day. New Yorkers enjoy some of the clean­est, healthiest drinking water in the world.

Millions of Californians rely on crystal-clear water flow­ing from the Plumas and other National Forests to quench their thirst. This is just one example of how our national forests help clean the water.

These solutions are an alternative to manufactured water treatment systems and are beneficial in so many ways. Unfortunately, too often the conventional response is to pay for expensive artificial treat­ment systems rather than rely on natural resources.

One way to protect and clean our water supply is to plant trees, and the need to replant our nation’s forests is vitally im­portant. The Forest Service has identified a backlog of 1 million acres in national forests alone that are in need of replanting because of damage from recent wildfires, insects and disease.

There is no substitute for clean water. Water is a vital resource that we rely on every day. We can’t create something else to take its place. But we can plant trees.

We enjoy trees for many reasons — their shade on a warm day, the energy they save when they’re planted around our homes, the bountiful food they provide, the songbirds they bring close by.

Remember the role trees play in keeping our drinking water clean. As you celebrate Arbor Day this year, don’t take your clean drinking water for granted when you turn on the tap.

America’s trees worked hard to help deliver that refreshing glass of water.

SINK HOLE NEEDS -- IF YOU HAVE A NEED TO FILL A SINK HOLE OVER YOUR SERVICE CONNECTION OR OLD SEPTIC TANK; BE SURE AND EMAIL YOUR LOT NUMBER, LOCATION OF NEED, NAME AND TELEPHONE CONTACT TO: SewerRepairs@jlake.org AS THE CONTRACTOR'S NEXT PLANNED RETURN TO THE LAKE FOR THESE REPAIRS IS MID-MAY, 2010.

SEWER USER FEE BILLS WILL BE MAILING THIS WEEK; DUE MAY 1ST. THE AMOUNT BILLED IS THE SAME AS
LAST YEAR $170.91 INCL TAX FOR A SINGLE UNIT SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE
SID OFFICE AT 308-785-2353 OR EMAIL: SIDclk@jlake.org

THE COUNTY TREASURERS WILL BE SENDING REMINDER BILLINGS OUT IN MID-JULY FOR THE SEWER ASSESSMENT.
THE ANNUAL PAYMENT MUST BE PAID BEFORE AUGUST 12TH TO GET THE 5% INTEREST RATE; AFTER AUGUST 12TH
THE RATE IS 7% ON THE NOW DUE BALANCE.

CONSTRUCTION WARRANTY PERIOD HAS ENDED...

July 4th, 2010, marked the end of the 2 year warranty period on the service connections by the contractors. Each individual will now be responsible for filling any settled spots, reseeding, and cleaning any plugs in the service connection. We are very fortunate, as there have been very few needs during the past year and we appreciate the contractor's taking care of those that have occurred.

If you have any concerns; please forward them by email to: SID#1@jlake.org for review and consideration by the SID Board.

Any billing concerns or questions should be sent to: SIDclerk@jlake.org for review by LarryO, the SID clerk. Be sure to include your name, contact phone and lake lot number and explain in detail your question or concern. Your cooperation is most appreciated!

All grading, gravel and rock work has been completed and cutoff, approved by the engineers and accepted by the SID, as of Oct. 20th, 2008. Additional gravel/rock for common areas and/or driveways etc is now either the responsibility of the individual home/cabin owner or the area association and/or Central with regards to the access roads.

THE FIRST ANNUAL INSTALLMENT OF YOUR SEWER ASSESSMENT IS DUE TO BE PAID BEFORE AUGUST 12TH.

Please check out the article under SID News for more information or contact your county treasurer's office, who can give you the exact amount NOW due.

EPA to urge testing for chromium-6 in water

■ Omha, other cities are targets of advocacy group’s safety concern.

BY ROGER BUDDENBERG, Omaha World-Herald, December 23, 2010


WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, respond­ing Wednesday to an advocacy group’s criticism of chromium-6 in the drinking water of 31 cities, including Omaha, said it would soon recommend — but not re­quire — that water utilities start testing for the metal.

The EPA told 10 senators, in­cluding Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson, that it would supply tech­nical advice but no new money to help state and local water officials start testing for chromium-6, the chemical that starred alongside Julia Roberts in the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”

The Environmental Working Group, in a report issued Mon­day, said levels of the suspected cancer-causer, which occurs both naturally and as an industrial by­product, are too high in water and said a federal limit should be set.

The EPA says it continues studying chromium-6 and will decide next year whether to set a limit and compel water utilities to meet it — a decision slowed by the murky science surround­ing the chemical. Little is under­stood about the long-term effects of ingesting minute amounts.

The EPA already limits total chromium levels in water but doesn’t distinguish among its forms, which include the toxic chromium-6 as well as chromi­um- 3, an essential nutrient.

One goal of the EPA’s imme­diate steps, Administrator Lisa Jackson said Wednesday, is to en­list local water utilities in gather­ing data that might yield insight into the risks.

The Environmental Working Group’s president, Ken Cook, praised the EPA’s steps and pledged cooperation.

“The water utilities are in a very tough position — often overwhelmed, underfunded and responsible for providing the safest drinking water they can,” Cook said. “They need help from Washington.”

“We welcome any federal as­sistance,” said Mari Matulka, a spokeswoman for Omaha’s Met­ropolitan Utilities District. She emphasized that the city’s water meets all federal safety require­ments and said M.U.D. would heed any new rules the EPA sets.
Reply Forward

chromium story. 12.21.10
Lincoln Journal Star
December 21, 2010

By Algis G. Laukaitis

Chromium, a known human carcinogen, is in the drinking water in Lincoln and other communities across Nebraska, but at very low levels, officials say.
"We test for it," said Jerry Obrist, chief engineer of the Lincoln Water System.
On Monday, an environmental group released a study showing that chromium-6 was detected in 31 of 35 tap water samples collected in major cities across the U.S.
The tests were commissioned by the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.,-based research and advocacy organization that works to protect public health and the environment.
Lincoln was not among the 35 cities tested.
Obrist said the total chromium level in the city's drinking water is 4 parts per billion, well below the 100 ppb limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Total chromium includes chromium-3, an essential mineral that regulates glucose metabolism, and chromium-6, which has been found by the National Toxicology Program to cause cancer in laboratory animals, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal tumors.
Chromium-6 is the hard metallic element found in drinking water in the 2000 Hollywood film, "Erin Brockovich."
Jack Daniel, in charge of public water systems for the state Department of Health and Human Services, said none of Nebraska's nearly 1,300 drinking water systems in 600 communities exceed the federal standard for chromium.
"We don't have anything close to 100 parts per billion," he said.
Daniel and Obrist said they do not know how much chromium-6 is in the drinking water because their tests don't differentiate between chromium-6 and chromium-3.
"We don't differentiate because the standard does not call for it," Daniel said.
Chromium-6 is a recognized carcinogen, he said. "The question is, at what level?"
Under state and federal law, anything under 100 ppb is considered safe, Daniel said.
"I'm sure in some areas (of the world) when they run into problems it's at much higher levels than we have here," said Obrist. "It's something we need to make sure of -- that it's not an issue for us, and so far it isn't."
Omaha was one of the 35 cities tested by the Environmental Working Group, and its total chromium levels range from 1.8 to 7.1 ppb, according to Mari Matulka, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Utilities District.
"We share the results of our water quality tests every year with all of our customers through the consumer confidence reports we send with bill statements," she said in an e-mail. The reports are also posted on the M.U.D. website.
Lincoln Water System also issues an annual water quality report, which is sent to customers and posted at www.lincoln.ne.gov (keywords: "water quality").
Last year, California officials proposed setting a "public health goal" for chromium-6 in drinking water of .06 parts per billion to reduce cancer risk.
Twenty-five of the 35 cities tested exceeded the safe limit proposed by California officials, according to the Environmental Working Group study. The highest levels of chromium-6 were found in Norman, Okla., Honolulu, Hawaii, and Riverside, Calif.
Chromium-6 gets into water supplies after being discharged from steel and pulp mills as well as metal-plating and leather-tanning facilities. It can also pollute water through erosion of soil and rock.
An EPA evaluation of new health effects data on chromium-6 is set to be completed late next year.
Obrist said his department will wait for guidance from EPA.
"It can be removed," he said. "It's a costly process to do it."