6/11/14
Oil Spill
Odyssey back in Gulf detailing oil impact on whales
Pensacola News Journal
The crew of international scientists and activists from Ocean
Alliance, a whale research group founded by world-renowned Dr. Roger
Payne, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will visit
Pensacola once again this month on their fifth oil spill research
trip in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2014/06/10/odyssey-back-gulf-detailing-oil-impact-whales/10298249/
Bay County Restore ACT Committee Discusses Oil Spill Recovery Plan
WMBB
The BP oil spill happened four years ago, but Bay County is still working
to recover from it, economically and environmentally.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/25743814/bay-county-restore-act-committee-discusses-oil-spill-recovery-plan
State
Hattiesburg Stink Fest to raise wastewater awareness
Hattiesburg American
In recent years, Hattiesburg residents have found common ground
through an uncommon smell, and on June 28, residents will be united
once again at Hattiesburg Stink Fest — a day of music, arts and
wastewater awareness.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2014/06/10/hattiesburg-stink-fest/10301327/
Water projects bill advances coastal improvements in South Mississippi
BY ANITA LEE
Sun HeraldJune 10, 2014
JACKSON -- Although President Barack Obama signed a bill Tuesday that
authorizes $693.3 million for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Program,
funding must be separately approved.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/06/10/5640886/water-projects-bill-advances-coastal.html?sp=/99/184/
11 South Mississippi projects authorized by water resources bill signed by
Obama today
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
June 10, 2014 at 4:08 PM
JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- Projects authorized today as part of the
$12.3 billion Water Resources Reform and Development Act include work in
Moss Point, Bayou Cumbest, Franklin Creek and other areas of Jackson
County.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/06/mississippi_coastal_improvemen.html#incart_river
Water projects bill signed today by Obama authorizes $693.3 million for
South Mississippi program
The Associated Press
June 11, 2014 at 12:57 AM
JACKSON, Mississippi -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed a bill
that includes authorization for $693.3 million for the Mississippi Coastal
Improvement Program in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/06/water_projects_bill_signed_tod.html#incart_river
State to investigate levee break
WTVA
WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) — The Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality is expected in Webster County Wednesday to check out the levee
break that emptied a private 15-acre lake.
http://www.wtva.com/news/national/story/State-to-investigate-levee-break/UITHGm4E4keu6M8fVX25lQ.cspx
Sewage spill closes central Gulfport beach waters
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
GULFPORT -- A section of central beach is closed because an estimated
56,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a manhole cover on U.S. 90 into the
Mississippi Sound, the state Department of Environmental Quality reported
Tuesday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/06/10/5640003/sewage-spill-closes-central-gulfport.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1
Sewage spill forces beach closure in Gulfport
WLOX
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -Officials with the Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality have closed a section of beach in Gulfport due to a
sewage spill on Tuesday. Officials say people should avoid the water and
seafood caught between Alfonso Drive east to Arkansas Avenue.
http://www.wlox.com/story/25740642/sewage-spill-forces-beach-closure-in-gulfport
Section of Gulfport beach closed due to sewage spill
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
June 10, 2014 at 1:47 PM
GULFPORT, Mississippi -- A section of Mississippi coast beach in Gulfport
has been closed after construction in the area caused a sewage spill.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/06/section_of_gulfport_beach_clos.html#incart_river
Sewage spill closes sections of beach in Gulfport
WXXV
Tuesday, June 10 thousands of gallons of sewage spilled into the
Mississippi Sound.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Sewage-spill-closes-sections-of-beach-in-Gulfport/PwFAbwjKZ0azLrl3Ba417A.cspx
MDEQ awards grant to Forrest County
Hattiesburg American
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality recently awarded
Forrest County a solid waste assistance grant of $16,080 that will
be used by the county for cleanup of illegal dumping.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/forrest-county/2014/06/10/mdeq-forrest-county-grant/10284373/
Debris removal to continue in Tupelo
WTVA
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Tupelo leaders stress the cleanup continues on
debris pushed to right-of-ways in Lee County.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Debris-removal-to-continue-in-Tupelo/PTnHUZJeeEaKVhHqABFC6w.cspx
Regional
TVA to study value of small providers like solar
AP
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority is studying the
value of electricity produced from small, dispersed sites, such as solar,
wind or small gas turbine installations.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/TVA-to-study-value-of-small-providers-like-solar/nu4YaJSFUECsDXLN_e1tAg.cspx
National
New EPA rules may give natural gas a boost
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency's carbon dioxide limits for power
plants are likely to accelerate the decline of coal for electricity
generation, and regulators predict that most of the slack will be picked up
by natural gas.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/208919-new-epa-emissions-limits-may-give-natural-gas-a-boost
Report: US companies preparing for climate change
The Hill
Businesses across the U.S. are factoring global warming into their
financial planning, according to a new report by the Carbon Disclosure
Project (CDP).
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/208784-report-us-companies-preparing-for-climate-change
Fight could be looming over secrecy of oil shipments by rail
BY CURTIS TATE
McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — A requirement from the U.S. Department of Transportation last
month to limit the release of information about Bakken crude oil shipments
by rail has set up a conflict between railroads, states and the federal
government that could wind up in court.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/06/10/5641103/fight-could-be-looming-over-secrecy.html?sp=/99/102/
FAA Gives Approval to BP to Use Commercial Drones
AeroVironment Aircraft Will Capture, Analyze Data at Prudhoe Bay Operations
Wall Street Journal
BP signed a five-year contract to use drones at its oil operations in
Alaska, the first large-scale, government-approved commercial use of
unmanned aircraft in the U.S.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/bp-launches-landmark-drone-program-in-alaska-1402404549
Press Releases
FDA and EPA issue updated draft advice for fish consumption
Advice encourages pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to eat more fish
that are lower in mercury
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency today issued updated draft advice on fish
consumption. The two agencies have concluded pregnant and breastfeeding
women, those who might become pregnant, and young children should eat more
fish that is lower in mercury in order to gain important developmental and
health benefits. The updated draft advice is consistent with
recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Previously, the FDA and the EPA recommended maximum amounts of fish that
these population groups should consume, but did not promote a minimum
amount. Over the past decade, however, emerging science has underscored the
importance of appropriate amounts of fish in the diets of pregnant and
breastfeeding women, and young children.
"For years many women have limited or avoided eating fish during pregnancy
or feeding fish to their young children," said Stephen Ostroff, M.D., the
FDA's acting chief scientist. "But emerging science now tells us that
limiting or avoiding fish during pregnancy and early childhood can mean
missing out on important nutrients that can have a positive impact on
growth and development as well as on general health."
An FDA analysis of seafood consumption data from over 1,000 pregnant women
in the United States found that 21 percent of them ate no fish in the
previous month, and those who ate fish ate far less than the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans recommends–with 50 percent eating fewer than 2
ounces a week, and 75 percent eating fewer than 4 ounces a week. The
updated draft advice recommends pregnant women eat at least 8 ounces and up
to 12 ounces (2-3 servings) per week of a variety of fish that are lower in
mercury to support fetal growth and development.
"Eating fish with lower levels of mercury provides numerous health and
dietary benefits," said Nancy Stoner, the EPA's acting assistant
administrator for the Office of Water. "This updated advice will help
pregnant women and mothers make informed decisions about the right amount
and right kinds of fish to eat during important times in their lives and
their children's lives."
The updated draft advice cautions pregnant or breastfeeding women to avoid
four types of fish that are associated with high mercury levels: tilefish
from the Gulf of Mexico; shark; swordfish; and king mackerel. In addition,
the updated draft advice recommends limiting consumption of white
(albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.
Choices lower in mercury include some of the most commonly eaten fish, such
as shrimp, pollock, salmon, canned light tuna, tilapia, catfish and cod.
When eating fish caught from local streams, rivers and lakes, follow fish
advisories from local authorities. If advice isn't available, limit your
total intake of such fish to 6 ounces a week and 1-3 ounces for children.
Before issuing final advice, the agencies will consider public comments,
and also intend to seek the advice of the FDA's Risk Communication Advisory
Committee and conduct a series of focus groups.
The public can provide comment on the draft advice and the supplemental
questions and answers by submitting comments to the Federal Register docket
or by participating in any public meetings that may be held. The comment
period will be open until 30 days after the last transcript from the
advisory committee meeting and any other public meetings becomes available.
The dates of any public meetings, as well as when the public comment period
will close, will be published in future Federal Register notices at
www.federalregister.gov.
For more information:
• Draft advice on fish consumption, and supplemental questions and answers
about the draft advice: Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know
•Federal Register Notice of Availability: Advice About Eating Fish; Draft
Update
•2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• FDA Consumer Update: New Advice: Some Women and Children Should Eat More
Fish
•EPA information on wild-caught fish
•FDA Audio Clips
•EPA Audio Clips
To comment on the draft advice on fish consumption:
• Read the draft advice.
• Starting Wednesday, June 11, 2014, submit comments through the Federal
Register docket at FederalRegister.gov.
