Isaac
Crews dig relief channel at Lake Tangipahoa dam
WAFB
The dam at Lake Tangipahoa in Mississippi is getting closer to being
stabilized.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19502748/crews-dig-relief-channel-at-lake-tangipahoa-dam
MDOT Continues Dam Stabilization Efforts at Percy Quinn State Park
Fox 40
Jackson, MS., Sunday, September 9, 2012 –Mississippi Department of
Transportation (MDOT) employees from the McComb, Batesville, and Tupelo
Districts have worked tirelessly to construct a relief channel for the dam
at Percy Quinn State Park.
http://www.fox40tv.com/news/local/story/MDOT-Continues-Dam-Stabilization-Efforts-at-Percy/YdXOY35ThEuNjlpl1LdVGQ.cspx
MDEQ: Reports of 'oil sheen' may actually be bacteria
by MBJ Staff
Published: September 10,2012
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST — The Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality advises the public that possible sightings and reports of oil sheen
on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Isaac may be naturally
occurring iron bacteria, which are not harmful to people's health or water.
http://msbusiness.com/2012/09/mdeq-reports-of-oil-sheen-may-actually-be-bacteria/
Jackson Co. prepares to remove debris from storm damaged homes
WLOX
Piles of storm debris lining streets across Jackson County will soon
disappear. The county is preparing to pick up the debris on Wednesday.
Residents said the pickup will help restore order in their communities
after Hurricane Isaac left them in chaos.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19507031/jackson-co-prepares-to-remove-debris-from-storm-damaged-homes
Coast beaches are still a work in progress after Hurricane Isaac
Sun Herald
By CHRISTINA STEUBE — csteube@sunherald.com
Hurricane Isaac has come and gone, but not without leaving a mess on the
beaches. Officials in the three coastal counties are taking the necessary
steps to remove the debris littering the sand from Hancock to Jackson
County.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/10/4177809/coast-beaches-are-still-a-work.html
Governor looks for storm damage at port, questions elevation issue
WLOX
Governor Phil Bryant was on the ground at the State Port at Gulfport Monday
for a first hand look at any damage that may have been caused by Hurricane
Isaac. The governor said he was looking for specific things.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19505208/governor-looks-for-storm-damage-at-port-questions-elevation-issue
Ocean Springs announces final hurricane debris pick up
Monday, September 10, 2012, 4:24 PM
By Susan Ruddiman, The Mississippi Press
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi - The Ocean Springs Public Works Department has
completed its second Hurricane Isaac debris removal pass, according to
Public Works Director Andrè Kaufman.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/09/ocean_springs_announces_final.html
Oil Spill
Obama creates new council to oversee Restore Act ecosystem restoration
Monday, September 10, 2012, 8:52 PM
By Bruce Alpert, Times-Picayune
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama today signed an executive order
setting up the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to oversee
restoration efforts funded under recent legislation designating 80 percent
of fines from the 2010 BP oil spill to the five Gulf States.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/09/obama_creates_new_council_to_o.html
Louisiana raises objections to proposed BP settlement of oil spill claims
Published: Monday, September 10, 2012, 8:00 PM
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune
Add the states of Louisiana and Mississippi and an organization
representing fishers to the list of those objecting to a proposed $7.8
billion settlement of private claims against BP for damage caused by the
2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2012/09/louisiana_raises_objections_to.html
BP sells some Gulf of Mexico assets for $5.55 bil
AP
LONDON (AP) — Oil company BP said Monday it is selling some deep-water
assets in the Gulf Mexico to Plains Exploration & Production Co. for $5.55
billion, a big step in BP's drive to cover the cost of its oil well blowout
in the Gulf two years ago and concentrate investment elsewhere.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewart/20120910/NEWS01/120910006/BP-sells-some-Gulf-Mexico-assets-5-55-bil-
Transocean, feds have weighed $1.5B settlement
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN — Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS -- Transocean Ltd. and the U.S. Justice Department have
discussed a $1.5 billion settlement that would resolve federal civil and
criminal claims against the company over its role in a deadly 2010 rig
explosion that spawned the nation's worst offshore oil spill.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/10/4177787/transocean-feds-have-weighed-15b.html
Transocean selling 38 shallow water drilling rigs
AP
Sep 10, 2012 7:21 AM CDT
NEW YORK (AP) - Transocean, a major offshore drilling rig contractor, is
selling 38 of its shallow water rigs to newly-formed Shelf Drilling
International Holdings Ltd. for about $855 million in cash.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19499140/transocean-selling-38-shallow-water-drilling-rigs
State News
City looks into water options Projects
Hattiesburg American
Could Hattiesburg one day add new meaning to its nickname "The Hub City,"
by becoming a regional hub for wastewater treatment?
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120911/NEWS01/209110308/City-looks-into-water-options-Projects?odyssey=tab|
topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Officials question city about water, wastewater plans
By Terri Ferguson Smith
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — The city of Meridian's proposed water district has caused
some confusion in the community and city officials on Monday tried to put
some rumors to rest.
http://meridianstar.com/local/x1052792755/Officials-question-city-about-water-wastewater-plans
Pearl River flood control plan revived
WLBT
Metro municipal leaders and the Levee Board are reviving a flood control
plan that would create waterfront development and save businesses and homes
from Pearl River floodwaters.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19504087/lake-plan-revived
Adams to apply for state loan for biofuels plant
AP
NATCHEZ (AP) — Adams County is applying for a $3 million state loan to help
pay for a levee to be built on the site of the former Belwood Country Club.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewart/20120910/NEWS01/120910008/Adams-apply-state-loan-biofuels-plant-
Mississippi Land Trust event "Paint the Coast"
Monday, September 10, 2012, 11:28 AM
By Special to The Mississippi Press
The third annual Paint the Coast art event and silent auction is scheduled
for Sept 27, from 6-9 p.m., at The Redding House, 770 Jackson Ave. in
Biloxi. Hosted by the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain, event
organizers hope to raise enough funds to continue conservation projects in
the area.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-living/2012/09/mississippi_land_trust_event_p.html
Lt. Gov. Reeves: 'Wish List' Budget Mentality Must Change
MPB
PUBLISHED BY JEFFREY HESS ON 10 SEP 2012 05:46PM
The battle lines over the next Mississippi state budget fight are already
being drawn. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the state's Lt. Governor is
calling on agency heads to look for ways to reduce spending ahead of a
series of budget meetings next week.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/lt._gov._reeves_wish_list_budget_mentality_must_change
National News
Cleanup of small Mississippi River oil spill continues
WAFB
The cleanup of a small oil spill on the Mississippi River continued Monday
morning.
According to the Coast Guard, Exxon spilled about 200 gallons of crude oil
into the river near its refinery last week.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19502470/cleanup-of-small-mississippi-river-oil-spill-continues
NOAA: Summer third-hottest on record
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 09/10/12 11:37 AM ET
The summer of 2012 was the third-warmest in the contiguous United States
since recordkeeping began more than a century ago, a ranking aided by
July's record-breaking heat, according to federal data released Monday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/248439-noaa-2012-summer-was-third-hottest-on-record-in-lower-48-states
Opinion
WLOX Editorial: Fall tourism will suffer if beaches aren't cleaned faster
Sep 11, 2012 5:32 AM CDT
The message and images that have been sent out across our country post
Hurricane Isaac are that our beaches are littered with dead nutria and our
beaches are closed.
http://www.wlox.com/story/19504618/wlox-editorial-fall-tourism-will-suffer-if-beaches-arent-cleaned-faster
BP: It Isn't Over Until It's Over
Bradenton Times
Published Tuesday, September 11, 2012 12:10 am
by John Rehill
Just when we thought it was safe to go back into the water -- we find out
it's not. How much do we have to know, to know we just don't know? When it
comes to BP and it's Deepwater Horizon disaster, knowledge is an onion that
keeps on peeling. In a new 37 page objection to BP's legal claims, the U.S
Government, the State of Alabama and the State of Louisiana, charge the oil
giant with, "corporate recklessness" and "willful misconduct."
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2012/09/11/environment/bp_it_isn_t_over_until_it_s_over/
Press Releases
EPA, North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College, and the United
Negro College Fund Host Third Symposium on Sustainable Environmental
Practices at Colleges and Universities
Contact Information: Jason McDonald, (404) 562-9203,
mcdonald.jason@epa.gov
ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional
Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming, North Carolina A&T State University
Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin, Bennett College Interim President Dr. Esther
M. Terry, and United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation
President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hester will co-host the
3rd Annual Symposium on Sustainable Environmental Practices at Colleges and
Universities on September 13-14, 2012. The event will be held on the
campuses of North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College.
The two-day conference runs through Friday with a full slate of panel
discussions and seminars on the greening campuses and curricula at
collegiate institutions located primarily in the Southeast. Students,
faculty members, higher education administrators, and other environmental
and sustainability stakeholders will have an opportunity to develop
partnerships, network, and collaborate on sustainable environmental
strategies and practices.
EPA Region 4 Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming will deliver the
"Shaping Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders" key note address on Thursday
afternoon in the North Carolina A&T State University Event Center. Later
in the day, Mrs. Fleming will meet with students attending the conference
as host of the Youth Summit's "Youth Wrap-Up Session".
"EPA recognizes the necessity for full participation by citizens of all
ages in developing environmental policy, sustainable practices and problem
solving," said Fleming. "We are endeavoring to encourage academic
institutions to develop a culturally diverse pool of well qualified
graduates interested in environmental careers."
A Conference Town-Hall Session convening campus representatives with signed
Memorandums of Understandings (MOU) is scheduled for Friday afternoon. EPA
Region 4 will moderate the session as the members identify and coordinate
priorities within the MOUs for the period 2012-2014.
The agenda will include sessions and presentations on greening campuses and
curricula at collegiate institutions mostly in the Southeast. The
conference will provide opportunities for students, faculty members,
administrators, and other environmental and sustainability stakeholders to
network, develop partnerships and collaborate on sustainable environmental
practices. Students in attendance will have an opportunity to participate
in seminars on federal employment as part of the concurrently held Youth
Environmental Summit.
Please see symposium agenda for a complete list of experts and
presentations.
http://www.ncat.edu/research/documents/events-documents/epa-agenda2012-final.pdf
