State
Gov. Phil Bryant in Biloxi to receive DMR's final Oyster Council report
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- The Governor's Oyster Council presented Phil Bryant with its
final report early Tuesday morning in an effort to help future oyster
seasons prosper.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/06/23/6290439/governor-phil-bryant-receives.html
Gov. Bryant highlights plans to boost MS oyster industry
WLOX
Calling it the soybean of the sea, Gov. Phil Bryant unveiled his plans to
save the ailing oyster industry this morning. The governor's oyster council
was formed earlier this year, and it has spent the past several months
studying ways to revitalize an industry that has been hit hard by Hurricane
Katrina and the BP oil spill.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29389192/gov-bryant-highlights-plans-to-boost-ms-oyster-industry
Hernando Soccer launches fundraising effort
DeSoto Times
Hoping to have the City of Hernando's first-ever soccer-only fields in
shape for the fall soccer season, the Hernando Soccer Association has
launched a $25,000 fundraising goal.
…Mayor Chip Johnson explained that the City of Hernando was in danger of
being fined by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality if the
city did not close down the lagoons and divert wastewater to the countywide
wastewater system.
http://www.desototimes.com/news/hernando-soccer-launches-fundraising-effort/article_ce44bbf0-1553-11e5-81c7-1f0c85d0ac39.html
Goodrich signals return
Justin Vicory
Enterprise-Journal
June 22, 2015 2:00 pm
A prominent company operating in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale announced
today it's ramping up production in the oil play, potentially opening the
door for other oil companies to do the same after a six-month hiatus due to
low oil prices.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/news/article_02a39a00-191f-11e5-ae3c-430f447207a3.html
Lightning strike causes marsh fire behind Mississippi Power in Gulfport
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Lighting from a thunderstorm started a marsh fire Tuesday
afternoon on property behind Mississippi Power Company's Plant Jack Watson,
a company spokesman said.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/06/23/6290771/brush-fire-reported-behind-mississippi.html
Oil Spill
BP's Gulf spill toll could run up to $68.2 billion
Houston Chronicle
The runaway well that emptied millions of barrels crude into the Gulf of
Mexico could ultimately cost BP about $60.2 billion to $68.2 billion, a
high bill for a firm wading through an industry downturn, analysts say.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/06/23/bps-gulf-spill-toll-could-run-up-to-68-2-billion/#33232101=0
National
New Federal Fracking Rules Delayed by U.S. Judge in Wyoming
Bloomberg
New U.S. fracking safety rules set to take effect Wednesday were put on
hold by a Wyoming federal judge who said he needed more evidence to decide
whether to block them as requested by drillers and four western states.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-24/fracking-safety-rules-delayed-by-u-s-judge-in-wyoming
Press Releases
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| USDA Announces New Tool to Monitor Dams, Keep Communities Safe |
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|WASHINGTON, June 23, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the |
|availability of DamWatch, a new web-based application that provides real-time |
|monitoring of rainfall, snowmelt, stream flow and seismic events that could pose |
|potential threats to dam safety. |
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|"With tools like this, USDA is using the newest technologies to meet our mission," |
|Vilsack said. "This tool provides a 'one-stop' source for accessing critical documents,|
|databases, onsite electronic monitoring devices and geospatial information. The intent |
|is to help keep the public safe and protect infrastructure." |
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|Through a secure interactive web interface, DamWatch will help watershed project |
|sponsors monitor and manage dams that were built with assistance from USDA's Natural |
|Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). By monitoring these structures, project sponsors|
|can better prevent and protect against hazardous, costly and potentially catastrophic |
|events. For example, during recent rainfall events in Oklahoma, NRCS worked with |
|project sponsors to prioritize field reconnaissance of structure sites. |
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|DamWatch offers project sponsors an effective way to manage watershed projects. It |
|alerts personnel via email, fax or text message when dams experience one or more |
|potentially hazardous conditions, resulting in the coordinated deployment of personnel |
|and resources at the right time and place. Although NRCS personnel may elect to receive|
|DamWatch alerts, the project sponsor is responsible for monitoring the dams and |
|notifying authorities during an emergency. NRCS may be available to assist the project |
|sponsor at the sponsor's request. |
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|During record rainfalls last month in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and other parts|
|of the central plains, nearly 1,000 DamWatch alerts helped NRCS personnel focus their |
|response efforts. NRCS personnel assisted project sponsors in reviewing the condition |
|of hundreds of dams throughout the region. |
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|NRCS watershed projects provide an estimated $2.2 billion each year to local |
|communities. Nearly 12,000 dams in 47 states and Puerto Rico help to prevent flooding |
|and erosion damage, provide recreational opportunities, improve water supply and create|
|habitat for wildlife. |
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|DamWatch, which was developed for NRCS by USEngineering Solutions Corporation, is |
|currently monitoring nearly 12,000 dams across the country. For more information visit |
|www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or a local USDA service center. |
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