State
Hazardous Waste Day Announced
Brookhaven Daily Leader
http://www.dailyleader.com/2015/02/19/hazardous-waste-day-announced/
(UPDATE) Aluminum maker, recruiter still at impasse on $1.2 billion project
MBJ
The impasse between American Specialty Alloys and Golden Triangle economic
development officials has not eased.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2015/02/19/aluminum-maker-recruiter-still-impasse-1-2-billion-project/
Barnett anglers could land more, bigger bass
Clarion Ledger
High numbers of shad combined Florida strain bass genetics could
produce more and larger bass in Barnett Reservoir in coming years.
The chain of events was noticed in 2013.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2015/02/18/barnett-anglers-land-bigger-bass/23647143/
Oil Spill
Federal judge rejects BP bid to lower $13.7 billion oil spill fine
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
February 19, 2015 at 3:15 PM
A federal judge in New Orleans has rejected BP's effort to cap its fines
from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill at $9.57 billion, nearly one-third
lower than the penalty federal prosecutors are seeking. The court has not
yet ruled how much the British oil giant will pay for the disaster.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2015/02/bp_loses_bid_to_cap_oil_spill.html#incart_river
BP oil spill: Judge rejects BP attempt to lessen fines for Gulf of Mexico
spill, $13.7 billion in civil fines await
The Associated Press
February 19, 2015 at 4:48 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- BP wants to lower the fine per barrel of oil spilled during
the 2010 Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier felt differently.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/02/bp_oil_spill_judge_rejects_bp.html#incart_river
BP oil spill altered soil microbes on gulf beach
LA Times
Microbes in beach sand apparently gobbled up a lot of oil washed ashore
from the 2010 BP oil spill, but that assault altered the microbial
population, leaving it less functionally diverse, according to a new study.
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gulf-oil-spill-microbes-20150217-story.html
Regional
Hypoxia Task Force Realizing It'll Take Time To Reach Goal Of Solving
Problem
WNAX
Mississippi River watershed states have fallen short of their goal of
reducing the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. That's
according to a report issued by the Mississippi River Watershed Nutrient
Task Force.
http://wnax.com/news/180081-hypoxia-task-force-realizing-itll-take-time-to-reach-goal-of-solving-problem/
National
U.S. EPA to propose biofuels standards this spring -official
Thu, Feb 19 2015
Reuters
By Chris Prentice
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency plans to offer a proposal for Renewable Fuels Standards for 2014,
2015, and 2016 this spring, and will use actual production levels to
determine last year's mandated volumes, an official said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/19/usa-biofuels-idUSL1N0VT1EZ20150219
U.S. officials to step up port inspections after illegal engines found
LA Times
Federal environmental and customs officials said Thursday they will step up
inspections at the nation's busiest port complex after discovering hundreds
of imported vehicles, engines and other equipment that failed to comply
with U.S. emissions standards.
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-customs-engines-20150220-story.html
As Oil Prices Tank, Firms Large And Small Feel The Pain
NPR
It's a painful time to be in the oil business. With the price of crude oil
about half what it was six months ago, companies large and small are being
pressured to cut costs.
http://www.npr.org/2015/02/19/387539924/as-oil-prices-tank-firms-large-and-small-feel-the-pain
Press releases
Governor Bryant Appoints Four to IHL Board
JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant today announced four appointees to the Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The appointees are
Thomas Duff of Hattiesburg, Glenn McCullough Jr. of Tupelo, Dr. Alfred
McNair Jr. of Gautier and Eddie "Chip" Morgan Jr. of Leland.
Appointees must be confirmed by the Mississippi Senate. Each appointee will
serve a nine-year term beginning May 9, 2015.
"Mississippi's public universities serve a vital function in our state.
They educate students, pioneer research, serve as catalysts for economic
development and are anchors in their communities," Gov. Phil Bryant said.
"These appointees bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the
table, and I know they will help ensure the success of our higher education
system."
Chip Morgan will represent the 1st Supreme Court District and will succeed
Bob Owens. Thomas Duff and Dr. Alfred McNair will represent the 2nd Supreme
Court District. Duff will succeed Robin Robinson, and McNair will succeed
Ed Blakeslee. Glenn McCullough Jr. will represent the 3rd Supreme Court
District and will succeed Aubrey Patterson.
About the Appointees
Thomas Duff
Businessman Thomas Duff is a native of Columbia, Miss. He and his brother
Jim Duff co-own and operate Duff Capital Investors, which is comprised of
eight businesses employing 8,400 people. Seven of the eight companies are
headquartered in Mississippi and employ 4,300 people. The Duff companies
include Southern Tire Mart, KLLM Transport Services, Frozen Food Express,
T.K. Stanley Oilfield Services, Forest Products Transports, T.L. Wallace
Construction, Pine Belt Ford and Pine Belt Chevrolet. Duff holds a
bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of
Southern Mississippi.
"I'm very honored to receive this appointment by Governor Bryant to serve
on the IHL Board of Trustees, and I look forward to working closely with
each of our public universities to reach our shared goal of advancing our
state together," Duff said. "Mississippi's public universities are
incredibly important to the current and future success of our state, as
they are providing the research and instruction necessary to bring about
the jobs of tomorrow."
Dr. Alfred McNair
Dr. Alfred McNair is a gastroenterologist and owner of Digestive Health
Center, PA in Ocean Springs, Miss. He is the president and founder of
Mississippi Coast Physicians, LLC, of Mississippi Center for Autism and
Related Developmental Disabilities and of Savannah Pines, LLC. Dr. McNair
is chief of medical staff at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. He served as a
member of the Mississippi State Board of Health from 2002-2005 and as vice
chairman of the Board of Health from 2006-2009. He graduated summa cum
laude from Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. Dr.
McNair attended medical school at Columbia University, completed his
medical residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York and
completed gastroenterology fellowships at Columbia Presbyterian Medical
Center and Stanford University.
"A healthy Mississippi is an educated Mississippi," Dr. McNair said. "Our
manifest destiny as a state is intertwined with our ability to offer
affordable, accessible and academically challenging higher educational
opportunities to our citizens."
Glenn McCullough Jr.
Glenn McCullough Jr. is former chairman of Tennessee Valley Authority. He
was named to TVA board in 1999 by President Bill Clinton and was named
chairman of the board by President George W. Bush. Under his leadership,
TVA achieved record performance in power generation, environmental
improvement and community and economic development. McCullough was elected
mayor of Tupelo in 1997 and served until his appointment to TVA. He also
served as director of the Appalachian Regional Commission from 1993-1997 by
appointment from Gov. Kirk Fordice. He holds a bachelor's degree in
agricultural economics from Mississippi State University.
"I am thankful to Governor Bryant for this opportunity and look forward to
serving with my fellow board members to advance Mississippi through our
public universities," McCullough said.
Chip Morgan
Chip Morgan has served as executive vice president of Delta Council since
1982. In this role he has developed strategies and input from Delta Council
on national farm policy, state four-lane highway legislation, flood control
and the Delta Health Alliance. During Morgan's tenure, Delta Council has
expanded its role to include improvement of access to health care, funding
for higher education, promotion of adult literacy, confrontation of
critical teacher shortages in the Delta and development of a higher
education curriculum to train high school administrators in the Delta.
Morgan holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from the
University of Mississippi.
"I share the priority which Governor Bryant places on higher education in
Mississippi, and like him, I feel quite fortunate that my parents afforded
me the opportunity to go to a college in Mississippi," Morgan said.
"Further, I know it will be a rewarding and learning experience to join
with the caliber of people who currently serve on this board, as well as
the capable staff that supports the board."
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| Natural Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service Partnership Continues |
| Conservation Work Nationwide |
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| Under Secretary Announces 15 Restoration Projects and a $37 Million Investment |
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|Audio |
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|BOISE, Idaho, February 19, 2015 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
|announced today nearly $37 million in investments to mitigate wildfire threats to |
|landowners and communities. This is the second year of a partnership between the U.S. |
|Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help improve |
|the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet. |
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|Joined by partners at an event in Idaho, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and |
|Environment Robert Bonnie unveiled the 15 Chiefs' Joint Landscape Restoration |
|Partnership projects for 2015. Located across the country from Washington to Vermont |
|and Arizona to Ohio, NRCS and Forest Service will invest $10 million in new projects to|
|improve conditions on public and private lands. One new project is in the Upper North |
|Fork region near Gibbonsville, Idaho designed to reduce the risk of catastrophic |
|wildfire to communities along a portion of the Highway 93 corridor. |
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|"By leveraging the technical and financial resources of both agencies, this coordinated|
|effort is helping to restore lands across large landscapes regardless of whether they |
|are on public or private lands," Bonnie said. "Our successes from the 2014 projects |
|demonstrate that these partnerships make a difference on the ground and we are grateful|
|for the cooperation of several partners." |
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|Bonnie noted that in some cases these new projects build on last year's efforts. The |
|partnership made investments in 2014 that will result in conservation improvements to |
|over 266,000 acres. NRCS and Forest Service will provide an additional $27 million to |
|continue work on 2014 projects. |
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|In addition to NRCS and Forest Service investments, partners are contributing more than|
|$5 million in the 2015 projects over three years in financial, technical and in-kind |
|services. These 15 new projects, coupled with the 13 announced last year, will help |
|mitigate wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality and |
|supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species in high priority landscapes |
|across the US. |
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|For example, USDA support in 2014 enabled Tim Fisher of the Oregon East Face of the |
|Elkhorn Mountains Partnership, to open up the tree canopy on 232 acres of private land |
|which will reduce the risk for wildfire, help with soil erosion, and allow the trees to|
|grow taller and stronger making them more marketable. |
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|"Our agencies are being proactive to make sure conservation work flows seamlessly from |
|private to public lands, ensuring crucial wildfire and water concerns are addressed and|
|allowing people, like Fisher, to preserve their family lands," NRCS Chief Jason Weller |
|said. |
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|"Strategic investments across landscapes help create resilient forests, grasslands and |
|watersheds while sustaining communities," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. |
|"Treating lands to reduce wildfire threats is a smart investment that will protect vast|
|areas of land and potentially save of millions of taxpayer dollars." |
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|2015 Projects include: |
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|Idaho – Upper North Fork Project: Idaho's Upper North Fork is a great example of a |
|project that provides a big benefit for a small investment. Fires often spread from |
|private property onto public lands where they are difficult to control and become |
|wildfires. The fix is to stop fires at the point where they start, before they have a |
|chance to spread. However, many private landowners do not have the technical knowledge |
|or funds to treat hazardous fuels on their property. This project targets private lands|
|where fires have a high probability of starting and adjacent National Forest lands |
|where they will initially spread. Treating fuels in these areas is relatively |
|inexpensive and protects a vast area of public land. Implementing this simple solution |
|would be unlikely without coordination among the partners. |
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|Hawaii – Koolau Forest Protection: The Koolau Mountain forests supply groundwater for |
|the Pearl Harbor Aquifer—used by over 40% of the population of the State of Hawaii. |
|Unfortunately, groundwater levels in the aquifer have declined by half since 1910. |
|Protecting the aquifer from further decline is vital for Hawaii's sustainability and |
|economy. The Koolau Mountains also has one of the highest densities of rare and |
|endangered species in the world including the beloved 'elepaio bird, the Hawaiian hoary|
|bat, tree snails, insects and plants – many of which exist nowhere else. By removing |
|invasive species and fencing out feral pigs, this project will help protect water |
|quality and supply for communities and agriculture and improve habitat quality for |
|at-risk species while allowing native Hawaiians to use the forest for their traditional|
|customs. |
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|South Carolina – Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative: In 2004, the |
|Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative restored woodland savanna habitat |
|on 8,300 acres of the Sumter National Forest as well as 7,700 acres of private land. |
|Funding from this year's announcement will help accelerate woodland savanna |
|restoration, reduce wildfire risk and enhance water quality on 21,000 acres of public |
|land and 19,000 acres of private land. The restoration will also provide crucial |
|habitat for important and declining grassland birds, including Northern Bobwhite, |
|Loggerhead Shrike, Prairie Warbler and Bachman's Sparrow. |
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|Summaries of all projects selected can be found here. |
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|Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2014 Farm Bill builds|
|on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving |
|meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, |
|USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical |
|legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening|
|risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; |
|establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new |
|markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community|
|facilities to help improve quality of life. |
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