State
Company tied to federal Katrina inquiry to close
BY JEFF AMY
Associated Press
JACKSON, MISS. — A contractor tied to a utility under federal investigation
for its spending after Hurricane Katrina is quitting business.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/12/03/5948797_company-tied-to-federal-katrina.html?rh=1
SH Anthony Construction Company closing its doors
WLOX
A Coast contractor who has been under a microscope for a project he worked
on for the Harrison County Authority Utility is now closing up shop. That's
according to an Associated Press report.
http://www.wlox.com/story/27542425/sh-anthony-construction-company-closing-its-doors
Jackson water rates could rise after bond rating downgrade
Clarion Ledger
For the second time in two years, credit rating company Moody's
Investors Service downgraded the city of Jackson's water and sewer
system revenue bonds due to multiple perceived challenges. The
downgrade could mean that water rates in the city will be increased
to combat higher interest rates.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2014/12/03/jackson-water-rating/19854159/
MUW energy-efficiency measures save nearly $2 million
Clarion Ledger
Mississippi University for Women has saved nearly $2 million through
energy-saving measures over the last eight years.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2014/12/03/muw-energy-efficient-savings/19847901/
Oil Spill
Ex-BP executive fighting Gulf oil spill charges
The Associated Press
December 03, 2014 at 1:45 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- Attorneys for a former BP executive facing an obstruction
charge in the 2010 Gulf oil spill asked a federal judge Wednesday to
dismiss the two criminal counts as his trial approaches in March.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/12/ex-bp_executive_fighting_gulf.html#incart_river
Steve Duin: Doug Brown's lonely fall from Deepwater Horizon to 'The Great
Invisible'
Oregon Live
Steve Duin
December 02, 2014 at 4:32 PM
Before the explosion, the neck surgeries and the suicidal depression, Doug
Brown would fly every six weeks from Portland to New Orleans, then
helicopter out to the steel island in the Gulf. And each time he closed on
the Deepwater Horizon, Brown realized how much he loved the job and his
sense of belonging.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2014/12/steve_duin_doug_browns_lonely.html
National
Toledo mayor wants Obama action on Lake Erie algae
WASHINGTON Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins says presidential
executive orders are viewed as "either a placebo or poison," but he
still wants President Barack Obama to issue one protecting Lake
Erie's water quality.
…In Mississippi, voluntary agricultural practices have reduced
runoff of nutrients into the Mississippi River, said Trudy Fisher,
former executive director of the state's Department of Environmental
Quality.
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/state/2014/12/03/toledo-mayor-wants-obama-action-lake-erie-algae/19857019/
The wait isn't over: EPA delays ethanol/biofuels decision
Delta Farm Press
David Bennett
Wed, 2014-11-26 08:16
2014 Renewable Fuels Act decision to be made in 2015
The EPA will not make a decision on the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations
(RVO) under the Renewable Fuels Act (RFA) until next year. The agency,
already behind schedule with its decision and the source of much
unhappiness in the renewable energy industry, received a large dose of
criticism after the announcement.
http://deltafarmpress.com/government/wait-isn-t-over-epa-delays-ethanolbiofuels-decision
Oil Trains Hide in Plain Sight
Rail Industry's Secret: Volatile Crude Routes Often Kept From Cities and
Towns
Wall Street Journal
NEWARK, Del.—Early last year, a new kind of pipeline full of volatile oil
appeared in this college town, halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/oil-trains-hide-in-plain-sight-1417663983
Press Releases
Organizations Pledge Support, Align Resources with Urban Waters Federal
Partnership
WASHINGTON – A broad coalition of 27 non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
including The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and The Conservation
Fund has pledged to support the Urban Waters Federal Partnership as it
works to restore waterways and revitalize communities across the country.
The NGOs will align resources, funding, and expertise with federal efforts
to restore urban waters and parks, increase outdoor recreation, and engage
residents and youth.
The announcement came as federal agencies and NGOs convened in Washington,
D.C. today to share best practices on restoring urban waterways. Many urban
waterways have been polluted for years by sewage, runoff from city streets,
and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and
accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance
economic, educational, recreational and social opportunities in nearby
communities. Reconnecting residents to their local urban waters helps
communities to actively participate in restoring urban waters while
improving their neighborhoods.
"We are very grateful for the support and partnership that these important
organizations will be bringing to our efforts to restore urban waterways,"
said Ken Kopocis, deputy assistant administrator for Water at the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. "Community led revitalization is central
to the success of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and these
organizations have deep roots in cities across the country, which will
enhance and accelerate our collective work."
"Restoring urban waterways helps re-connect metropolitan residents—youth in
particular—to open spaces and a relationship with nature," said Mike
Connor, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. "The Urban
Water Federal Partnership is an important part of Interior's programs to
help youth and veterans by creating opportunities for them to restore their
waters, parks and greenspaces, and providing them with jobs and, in many
cases, a career path for those in distressed areas."
"From the 'source to the faucet', the Urban Waters Federal Partnership is
'banding together, sharing resources and avoiding duplication' to improve
America's waters and the associated communities along a complex rural to
urban land gradient," said Robert Bonnie, undersecretary for Natural
Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is made up of 13 federal agencies
working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving
coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led
revitalization efforts. The Urban Water Federal Partnership is led by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development. Launched in 2011, the federal partnership provides
grants, resources and expertise to local governments looking to restore
urban rivers and jumpstart local economies, particularly in underserved
communities. The Urban Waters Grant program, which currently supports 19
communities in some of the country's largest cities, has awarded more than
$1.8 million since its inception, with grantees leveraging an additional
$6.7 million in local project support.
These are a few examples of how NGOs are already supporting the partnership
and advancing efforts, which will be expanded through the new pledge of
support:
· Baltimore: The Conservation Fund is leading a project with NGOs, and
federal and state agencies to protect and increase green
infrastructure in the Baltimore metropolitan region. Partners are now
assessing the use of existing green infrastructure to increase
resiliency to coastal storms and other climate change effects, such
as sea level rise.
· Bronx River: A public access project on the Bronx River became
possible through collaboration of Amtrak, local NGOs, and federal,
state, and local agencies. With more than $16 million in funding, a
groundbreaking event is slated for spring 2015.
· Harlem River: The Trust for Public Land and Pratt Institute are
working with the National Park Service, EPA, New York City and
community groups to create a new waterfront greenway along the Bronx
side of the Harlem River, connecting the river to neighborhoods. TPL
and Pratt are leading a visioning project for a "Green Print" for the
waterfront.
· Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.: Federal agencies and local partners
have identified funding and support to establish native plant nursery
pilot projects in underserved communities in Los Angeles and
Washington, D.C. The University of the District of Columbia is
providing land and in-house expertise to establish a nursery in D.C.
and the National Park Service has committed seed funding and nursery
staff support for the Los Angeles site.
· Delaware River Basin: With federal funding, Wilderness Inquiry was
able to reach an additional 2,500 underserved youth to paddle urban
rivers. Expanding from the Bronx and Anacostia rivers, Wilderness
Inquiry was able to include at-risk urban youth throughout the
Delaware River Basin. At risk youth paddled the Delaware River,
learned about the watershed and their community, and collected water
samples for analysis and study
The 27 NGOs who have pledged support are:
· · Alliance for Community Trees
· · American Forests
· · American Planning Association
· · American Rivers
· · American Society of Landscape Architects
· · Amigos de los Rios
· · Arbor Day Foundation
· · Arkansas Urban Forestry Council
· · City Parks Alliance
· · EarthForce
· · Groundwork USA
· · Izaak Walton League
· · National Association of Clean Water Agencies
· · National Recreation and Park Association
· · National Wildlife Federation
· · River Network
· · SavATree
· · Society of Municipal Arborists
· · The Chesapeake Conservancy
· · The Conservation Fund
· · The Intertwine Alliance
· · The Nature Conservancy
· · The Sierra Club
· · The Trust for Public Land
· · Tree Care Industry Association
· ·
· · Wilderness Inquiry
For more information visit www.urbanwaters.gov
