Oil Spill
Some oil effects escape the naked eye
Daily Comet
By Nikki Buskey
While many have focused on oiled birds and sick fish as the obvious impacts
of the 2010 BP oil spill, new research shows oil had a significant impact
on microscopic creatures below the beach sands.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20120622/ARTICLES/120629845?Title=Some-oil-effects-escape-the-naked-eye
BP cash to revamp beach dunes and boat ramps
Pensacola News Journal
Two years after the BP oil slicked local beaches and ruined tourism,
construction is set to begin on the first of two major projects in Escambia
County to help restore the environment and provide access to waterways.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20120623/NEWS01/306230017/BP-cash-revamp-beach-dunes-boat-ramps
State News
Water, wastewater projects to be well used in Jackson County, utility
director says
By April M. Havens
The Mississippi Press
JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- The Jackson County Utility Authority has
spent its Hurricane Katrina recovery project funds on water and wastewater
projects that will be well utilized across the county, leaders said this
week.
A recent Associated Press investigation revealed that the Harrison County
Utility Authority used millions of dollars to build sewage plants that are
underused or sitting completely idle.
That's not a problem in Jackson County, JCUA Executive Director Tommy
Fairfield said.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/06/water_wastewater_projects_to_b.html
PSC awards PRCUA with sewer systems
By Jeremy Pittari
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE — Round Rock, Wildwood and Hunter's Trace sewer systems were
awarded to the Pearl River County Utility Authority by the Public Service
Commission on Friday.
http://picayuneitem.com/local/x1254880956/PSC-awards-PRCUA-with-sewer-systems
Utility Authority discusses projects
By Jeremy Pittari
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE — Work to provide Hide-A-Way Lake with sewer service is nearing
completion and several other projects are underway in other areas served by
the Pearl River County Utility Authority.
http://picayuneitem.com/local/x1767478314/Utility-Authority-discusses-projects
Coalition aims to reverse state plan for offshore oil and gas activity
By Harlan Kirgan
Mississippi Press
GULFPORT, Mississippi-- The Mississippi Development Authority's plan to
permit seismic testing in state waters may be rolling ahead, but a member
of a coalition opposing oil and gas activity said MDA's direction is
reversible.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/06/coalition_aims_to_reverse_stat.html
Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson stepping up to lead Mississippi Municipal Lead
Rikard: 'It's good to have someone from DeSoto at the helm'
Commercial Appeal
By Henry Bailey
Sunday, June 24, 2012
After seven years as Hernando mayor and two as understudy to the top spot
in the Mississippi Municipal League, Chip Johnson is taking his leadership
style statewide this week as he becomes MML president.
…He'll be leading a session on "Issues Facing Cities Over 10,000
Population" with Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran and moderating a
discussion of the state Department of Environmental Quality's EnHance
program.
Hernando's director of community development, Shelly Johnstone, will be a
presenter at the latter event, on environmental projects to benefit the
community. Examples from Hernando, such as curbside recycling, farmers
market and its tree ordinance, and from DeSoto neighbor Southaven will be
aired.
"The networking and interaction are invaluable, too," said the mayor.
"Shelly's connections with MDEQ through these conferences helped us get a
$400,000 'brownfields' grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to
assess and identify areas for clean-up."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/24/hernando-mayor-steps-into-top-job/?print=1
City nears start of recycling program
By CALEB BEDILLION
DAILY LEADER
City leaders are ready to roll out recycling this summer and are working to
foster strong participation by Brookhaven residents.
… However, a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality will
be covering much of the cost for that second bin, at least for a while. The
city has received a grant totaling $23,900.
"The people at DEQ are very excited about us recycling," Phillips
said.
http://www.dailyleader.com/topstories/article_51251ed6-bdad-11e1-82d9-0019bb2963f4.html
Smell around Wilkes Bridge in Gulfport is underground sewage
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- A smell lingering around the Wilkes Bridge on Lorraine Road is
coming from sewage piped from the beach to the Gulfport North Wastewater
Treatment Facility, an official said.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/06/22/4024863/smell-around-wilkes-bridge-is.html
Regulators turn down Mississippi Power rate hike request
By The Associated Press
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Mississippi Power Co. may someday collect more
money to pay for the generating plant it's building in Kemper County.
But not yet.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/06/regulators_turn_down_mississip.html
In-state oil/gas leases to go up for sale in September
by Associated Press
AROUND MISSISSIPPI — The Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States will hold
an oil and gas lease sale for tracts in Louisiana and Mississippi Sept. 13
at its offices in Springfield, Va.
Federal mineral lands in Mississippi and Louisiana totaling 34,630 acres
will be offered.
Mississippi parcels are in Smith, Scott and Franklin counties. In
Louisiana, the tracts are in Grant, Vernon, and Natchitoches parishes.
http://msbusiness.com/2012/06/in-state-oilgas-leases-to-go-up-for-sale-in-september/
First Jackson County Bicentennial Duathlon draws about 80 participants
By Harlan Kirgan
Mississippi Press
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi - Organizers of the first South Coast SummerFest
said they were pleased with the outcome of the 10-day event, as the Fort
Maurepas Kayak Festival and Outdoor Expo unfolded Saturday morning.
…The 10-day event has been sponsored in part by a grant from the Gulf Coast
Regional Tourism Partnership and BP, and by city of Ocean Springs, Ocean
Springs Chamber of Commerce, city of Pascagoula, city of D'Iberville,
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Department of
Marine Resources, Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area and the
Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain, Gulf Hills Hotel, Mississippi
Power Co., South Mississippi Urgent Care, Orange Grove Urgent Care, The
Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, VT Halter Marine and Miller 64.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/06/first_jackson_county_bicentenn.html
