3.31.14
Oil Spill
Alvin submersible will give researchers view of effects of BP oil spill
Sun Herald
BY PATRICK OCHS
GULFPORT -- Nearly four years after oil first spewed into the Gulf of
Mexico from the blown-out Macondo wellhead, researchers representing major
universities from across the Southeast will depart Gulfport and got to the
site to document the potential recovery.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/29/5455088/alvin-submarine-to-allow-researchers.html
Famous submarine Alvin comes to Gulfport
WLOX
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -A well known submarine has taken up temporary
residence in Gulfport. The submersible vehicle, known as Alvin, was built
back in the 1960s. Since then, it has been an invaluable tool for deep sea
research and exploration.
http://www.wlox.com/story/25109538/famous-submarine-alvin-comes-to-gulfport
AG Hood says he's following law with execution
Natchez Democrat
Published 12:01am Saturday, March 29, 2014
…Hood also said he hopes the State of Mississippi will soon be given a
trial date to seek damages from BP for the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2014/03/29/ag-hood-says-hes-following-law-with-execution/
Why does the U.S. Chamber oppose small businesses harmed by BP disaster?
The Hill
By Robert Weissman
A giant, foreign, repeat-criminal enterprise inflicted massive economic
injury on thousands and thousands of American businesses.
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/judicial/201843-why-does-the-us-chamber-oppose-small-businesses-harmed-by-bp#.UzTrcOYxOKQ.twitter
State
Bill introduced requiring EPA to analyze economic impact of Clean Air Act
MBJ
by Wally Northway
Published: March 28,2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker
(R-Miss) are cosponsoring legislation that would prohibit the Environmental
Protection Agency from finalizing any major Clean Air Act regulation
without considering its economic impact.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/03/28/senators-introduce-bill-requiring-epa-analyze-economic-impact-clean-air-act/
DeSoto Ranger District to honor Wilderness Act
Clarion Ledger
The Wilderness Act was passed in 1964 to preserve some of the last wild
areas in the nation.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the public is invited to DeSoto National
Forest to enjoy the wild and scenic land.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140330/sports08/303300004/desoto-ranger-district-honor-wilderness-act
Regional
U.S. shrimp processors reported less shrimp in 2012 than any time in past
decade
Benjamin Alexander-Bloch
The Times-Picayune
March 28, 2014 at 8:47 AM
The amount of shrimp processed in the United States continues to decline,
as the U.S. shrimp processing sector reported a smaller amount of processed
shrimp in 2012 than any time in the past decade, according to a recent
Southern Shrimp Alliance study. The study analyzed data provided to the
alliance by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/03/us_shrimp_processors_reported.html#incart_river
Irrigation making inroads in Alabama as water supplies dwindle in the
Southwest
By Brad Harper
Montgomery Advertiser
Published: Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
MONTGOMERY | With water supplies dwindling and land worn from overuse,
agriculture in the arid Southwest has a problem that could soon affect the
entire nation.
Some experts believe the answer lies in better irrigation for the
Southeast, particularly in Alabama.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140330/news/140339999?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
National
EPA faces bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill
The Hill
By Timothy Cama
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing a backlash from both
Republicans and Democrats over its proposal to cut funding for programs
favored on Capitol Hill.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/202068-epa-faces-bipartisan-backlash
White House targets methane gas emissions
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin,
The Obama administration outlined a new strategy Friday for addressing
methane, signaling it may move to regulate a potent greenhouse gas released
into the air from hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/white-house-targets-methane-gas-emissions/2014/03/28/1c93b498-b685-11e3-b84e-897d3d12b816_story.html
White House: EPA to study methane, possible regulations
AP
The White House announced a wide-ranging plan Friday aimed at cutting
methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, landfills and other sources.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/28/white-house-epa-to-study-methane-possible-regulations/
White House tackles methane emissions in sweeping strategy
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
The Obama administration is ordering federal agencies to take on emissions
of the potent greenhouse gas methane in an effort to fight climate change.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/202038-white-house-drops-strategy-to-reduce-methane-emissions
W.H. methane strategy next step in climate plan
Politico
By: Andrew Restuccia
March 31, 2014 05:12 AM EDT
The White House has gotten a mixed response from industry and a mostly
positive reaction from greens since unveiling the latest step in President
Barack Obama's climate strategy: a plan for reducing emissions of methane,
a potent greenhouse gas produced by everything from natural gas development
to dairy farming.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/wh-methane-strategy-next-step-in-climate-plan-105178.html?hp=r7
EPA Begins to Address Biomass Emissions in Permits Following Court Decision
Friday, March 28, 2014
Bloomberg
March 26 --The Environmental Appeals Board partially remanded an air
pollution permit for a waste-to-energy facility in Puerto Rico after it
failed to account for greenhouse gas emissions from biomass.
http://www.bna.com/epa-begins-address-n17179889189/
ANALYSIS-The tally is in: Ethanol 'blend wall' cost refiners at least $1.35
bln
Reuters
By Cezary Podkul
NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) - Last year's spike in the price of ethanol
blending credits cost independent refiners at least $1.35 billion, more
than three times as much as the year before, according to a Reuters' review
of securities filings.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/31/rins-spike-costs-idINL1N0MO2B620140331
Fracking's Earthquake Risks Push States to Collaborate
Bloomberg
By Jim Efstathiou Jr. March 27, 2014
Several U.S. states are banding together to combat the mounting risks of
earthquakes tied to the disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing
for natural gas.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-27/fracking-s-earthquake-risks-push-states-to-collaborate
Washington state mudslide a deadly reminder of no national system to
monitor such hazards
The Associated Press
March 30, 2014 at 9:18 PM
SEATTLE — People living in the path of a deadly Washington state landslide
had virtually no warning before a wall of mud, trees and other debris
thundered down the mountain. Some of the homeowners didn't even know the
hillside could give way at any time.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2014/03/washington_state_landslide_a_d.html#incart_river
Wyoming sues EPA over regional haze
March 29, 2014 12:00 pm • By LAURA HANCOCK Casper Star-Tribune
CASPER — The state of Wyoming sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
on Friday, challenging the federal agency's plan to control regional haze.
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/wyoming-sues-epa-over-regional-haze/article_4ae61c28-fdfa-5c10-bc41-0f1e986e3e6a.html
New state agency may oversee fertilizer runoff
By Anne Saker
The Columbus Dispatch • Monday March 31, 2014 5:45 AM
The state has proposed moving oversight of farmland manure runoff — the
stuff that helps toxic algae spread in Ohio's lakes — from the Department
of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/03/31/new-agency-may-oversee-waste-runoff.html
Teen to government: Change your typeface, save millions
CNN
(CNN) -- An e. You can write it with one fluid swoop of a pen or one tap of
the keyboard. The most commonly used letter in the English dictionary.
Simple, right?
Now imagine it printed out millions of times on thousands of forms and
documents. Then think of how much ink would be needed.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/living/student-money-saving-typeface-garamond-schools/index.html?c=homepage-t&page=0
Press Releases
COCHRAN SAYS ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN FEMA FLOOD MAP PROCESS ARE TROUBLING
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued the
following statement regarding an investigation launched into alleged
irregularities by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in determining
National Flood Insurance Program flood maps:
"The American people, especially those who rely on flood insurance, should
be able to trust the reliability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
flood map process. The investigation into possible misdeeds in that
process is a serious matter. The entire National Flood Insurance Program
depends on the federal government using objective, accurate and sound
engineering practices when creating flood maps. I am troubled by the
allegations in this matter and hope they are quickly resolved."
Cochran serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction
over the FEMA and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security.
As one of the Senate's leaders on flood disaster policy, the Senator has
worked to ensure that FEMA utilizes sound mapping methods to make flood
insurance rate determinations.
In the recent debate on legislation to stop unaffordable insurance rate
increases associated with the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood
Insurance Reform Act of 2012, Cochran argued that, "Before we let these
rates devalue private property and perhaps even devastate local economies,
we need to be absolutely sure our practices and procedures are as sound as
possible." (http://1.usa.gov/1aZBKjQ)
In 2012, Cochran went to bat for Mississippi residents in the vicinity of
the Ross Barnett Reservoir, who maintained that FEMA erroneously placed
several subdivisions in special flood hazard zones, resulting in their
flood insurance premiums to skyrocket. Only after an inquiry from Cochran
did FEMA acknowledge and correct some of the inaccurate flood maps.
The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act enacted last week, which
Cochran helped write, includes provisions to hold FEMA accountable for
faulty mapping practices, to fast-track affordability studies, and to
reimburse homeowners who appeal incorrect maps.
LINK:
• NBC News: "FBI Investigates FEMA Flood Map Changes After NBC News
Report"http://nbcnews.to/1hFuSLM
###
All Terrain Vehicle Usage At Corps Lakes
Vicksburg, Miss...Over the past several years, all terrain vehicle (ATV)
recreational riding has become increasingly popular at the Mississippi
lakes. The numerous acres of mudflats and miles of shoreline during low
lake levels provide great riding opportunities for ATV enthusiasts.
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District has instituted an
educational campaign to remind users of the safety and environmental
concerns associated with ATV usage. This campaign is an educational program
dedicated to increasing public awareness of how to enjoy the great outdoors
while minimizing the impacts of ATV use. Before operating an ATV, it is
recommended that operators attend an approved ATV training course. Riders
should always wear the appropriate safety gear to include a helmet and
protective eyewear.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 36 states that it is unlawful to
operate an ATV in a careless, negligent or reckless manner. Visitors are
reminded to follow and obey all rules and regulations of ATV usage. All ATV
operators must practice safety procedures while riding for recreational or
work-related purposes. Operation of any motorized vehicle while under the
influence of alcohol is illegal and constitutes careless and reckless
operation. A common practice called "SKIMMING" is a violation of CFR Title
36. Skimming is bringing an ATV to a high rate of speed and hydroplaning
across water.
Due to streambed damage and destruction to sensitive aquatic plants and
animal life, state law prohibits streambed ATV riding.
In addition, destruction, defacement, removal or any alteration of any
public property to include natural formations, mineral deposits, historical
and archaeological features are prohibited. These features include
materials from old house sites, arrowheads and other Native American
artifacts, and Native American paleontological resources.
Strict enforcement of all rules and regulations is intended to provide a
safe environment for ATV operation. The improper use of ATV's can cause
rutting and destroy sensitive wetland habitat, erode creek banks, and
destroy native plant species allowing invasive plant species to thrive.
Operators who refuse to follow established/posted rules and regulations
will be cited and subject to pay all fines, appear before a Federal
Magistrate, and suffer banishment from all Mississippi lakes.
ATV riding information can be obtained through Tread Lightly at
www.treadlightly.org or the ATV Safety Institute at www.atvsafety.org.
