State
Mississippi Phosphates Trouble
WXXV
Mississippi Phosphates is looking at having to pay thousands of dollars in
fines after the U.S. Attorney's Office charged them with violations to the
Clean Water Act.
Residents in nearby neighborhoods tell News 25 the hot water the plant
finds itself in is just the beginning.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Mississippi-Phosphates-Trouble/BpwN03RWo0yjc7XxGIaZWg.cspx
Turkey Creek residents say proposed development will cause flooding
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Residents of North Gulfport say a project proposed along Turkey
Creek will cause flooding if 432 acres of wetlands are filled in.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/29/6341947/turkey-creek-residents-say-proposed.html
Clean up South Mississippi and tourism dollars will follow, Coast leaders
say
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- People don't litter when they go to Disney World or Charlotte or
Colorado, said Harrison County Supervisor Connie Rockco, who's just
returned with photos of Buena Vista, Colo., to show what a well-kept town
looks like.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/29/6342681/clean-up-south-mississippi-and.html
On the move: Neel-Schaffer Inc.
Clarion Ledger
Bonnie Morgan has joined the firm as a client manager in the environmental
science group, working in the Ridgeland office. She spent 15 years with the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality working with various state
and federal agencies and stakeholders with their environmental permitting
needs. Morgan has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from
Mississippi State University.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/money/business/2015/07/29/move-neel-schaffer-inc/30851717/
NOAA SAYS SCIENCE, COMMUNICATION IMPROVED SINCE KATRINA
MPB
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that, in the 10
years since Hurricane Katrina, it's made strides in both science and the
way it communicates that science. MPB Gulf Coast reporter Evelina Burnett
has more.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/07/29/noaa-says-science-communication-improved-since-katrina/
Finding the source of the leak
WLBT
It seems that not a day passes in the Capital City without a water line
break, either in cold weather or this summer's searing temperatures.
These heightened problems have plagued the city for more than a decade.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29665864/finding-the-source-of-the-leak
Oxford uses tree fund to retain canopy, replenish trees
BY ALYSSA SCHNUGG
Oxford Eagle
OXFORD, MISS. — When a developer builds a home, or several homes, despite
good intentions and work of engineers, trees generally have to be removed
from a plot, provided you're not building on an empty field.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/30/6343143/oxford-uses-tree-fund-to-retain.html
Regional
Charlotte Reaches EPA Ozone Standard, For Now
WFAE
Charlotte's air quality no longer violates federal standards. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency says ozone readings now meet levels
consistent with its 2008 rule. However, the improved rating may not last
long. http://wfae.org/post/charlotte-reaches-epa-ozone-standard-now
National
269 business groups ask Obama to scuttle ozone rule
The Hill
Representatives of 269 business groups are asking President Obama to stop
his administration from moving forward on its ozone pollution rule.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/249616-270-business-groups-ask-obama-to-scuttle-ozone-rule
Immigrants, poor fish for their dinner, unaware of mercury
AP
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It's midday and the white bucket balanced on the
rocky shore at Mountha Uppasay's feet holds five or six white bass, moving
sluggishly in the water she scooped from the Des Moines River.
http://www.meridianstar.com/news/nation_and_world/immigrants-poor-fish-for-their-dinner-unaware-of-mercury/article_17f7ce7e-35f5-11e5-8eef-033d47bd915a.html
Filthy Rio water a threat at 2016 Olympics
AP
RIO DE JANEIRO — The waters where Olympians will compete in swimming and
boating events next summer in South America's first games are rife with
human sewage and present a serious health risk for athletes, as well as for
visitors to the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/29/6342929/ap-investigation-dirty-rio-water.html
Opinion
BILL CRAWFORD: Frierson a rare straight shooter on Mississippi budget
Sun Herald
You've got to admire Herb Frierson. There aren't many straight shooters in
Mississippi politics anymore.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/25/6337032/bill-crawford-frierson-a-rare.html
Press Releases
EPA, Partners Mark Completion of Expanded Roadway and Drainage Ditch at the
Kerr-McGee Superfund Site in Columbus, Miss.
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, 404-562-8293 (direct), 404-562-8400
(main), marraccini.davina@epa.gov
ATLANTA – Today, representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) joined state and local partners to mark the successful
completion of the 14th Avenue Ditch Improvement Project (DIP) at a ribbon
cutting ceremony in Columbus, Miss. The project resulted from the close
collaboration among federal, state and local stakeholders, including the
Greenfield Environmental Multistate Trust (Multistate Trust), the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the City of Columbus and
the Memphis Town Community Advisory Group (CAG).
The ceremony was held at the Multistate Trust's office at former Kerr-McGee
Site, located at 2300 14th Avenue North. The 14th Ave DIP has been a
priority for the City of Columbus, the CAG and the community for many years
due to flooding, road safety and contaminant migration issues from the
Kerr-McGee site. This major roadway has now been remediated and
significantly improved. The success of the 14th Ave DIP demonstrates how a
partnership between environmental regulators, local government and
community stakeholders can deliver results that benefit human health, the
environment and communities.
Studies, plans and negotiations required to support the 14th Avenue DIP
began in 2010, and included environmental investigations together with
complex agreements to address the environmental, real estate,
infrastructure and community issues and concerns. Implementation of the
project required transferring Multistate Trust property to the City,
designing a two-part project covering both excavation of contaminated
material, integrated procurement activities and constructing the new ditch.
Working under a Superfund decision document issued by the EPA, the
Multistate Trust first excavated the new ditch and placed a clean soil
buffer so the City's contractors could construct the new concrete drainage
ditch without coming into contact with contaminants from the Kerr-McGee
site. Contaminated soils were also removed from the original ditch, which
was backfilled and used to widen 14th Avenue North to accommodate addition
of a center turning lane. The expanded roadway and new ditch will improve
traffic safety and allow for safe passage of heavy equipment along 14th
Avenue. The new concrete ditch also minimizes the potential for
contaminants to migrate in the drainage swales to the neighborhoods down
gradient.
The project was completed using a combination of discretionary funds from
the City, an Army Corps of Engineers grant that the City received, and
Multistate Trust cleanup funds.
For more information about the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation Site
and the 14th Avenue Ditch Improvement Project, as well as the Multistate
Trust's cleanup efforts, please visit the local information repositories at
the following two locations:
Columbus-Lowndes Library
314 North Seventh Street
Columbus, Miss. 39701
Community Resource Building
2300 14th Avenue
Columbus, Miss. 39701
Additionally, you may contact Kerisa Coleman, Community Involvement
Coordinator at (404) 562-8831 or coleman.kerisa@epa.gov.
