State
MDEQ hosting Thursday hearing for Renaissance III
Madison County Journal
RIDGELAND — Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality officials are
set to hold a public hearing Thursday night (tonight) concerning matters
with Renaissance at Colony Park Phase III.
http://onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/News/Article/MDEQ-hosting-Thursday-hearing-for-Renaissance-III/-3/592/37993
Mississippi pauses implementation of controversial Clean Power Plan
Mississippi Watchdog
Senior House Republicans have accused the Environmental Protection Agency
ofviolating a Supreme Court order by continuing to implement the agency's
Clean Power Plan, but Mississippi environmental regulators are holding
fast.http://watchdog.org/265697/clean-power-plan-9/
4 things that should be on your summer bucket list
Clarion Ledger
Summer doesn't officially start until next month, but with warmer weather
already here and kids finishing school, it might as well have begun. And if
you're like many of us, you've already marked down vacation days to go to
the beach, noted the weekend of your family reunion and maybe have a day or
two scheduled with your favorite fishing guide on the coast.
…And there is no shortage of places to use one. According to the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, there are over 26,000
miles of streams and rivers that flow year-round in Mississippi, which is
roughly the distance around Earth.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2016/05/19/4-things-summer-bucket-list/84501012/
PUBLIC MEETING ON GULF OF MEXICO DRILLING
WXXV
Dozens of men and women took a stand against offshore drilling leases this
afternoon in Gulfport.
http://www.wxxv25.com/2016/05/19/public-meeting-on-gulf-of-mexico-drilling/
Testing Solar in Mississippi
Jackson Free Press
JACKSON — It's a relatively overcast day, but the rows of solar panels are
tilted to face where the sun could be shining if the clouds parted. The
backs of the panels are mirrored, reflecting the green glass below them,
giving off a sort of space-age vibe.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/may/18/testing-solar-mississippi/
Deer carcass import ban proposed
Clarion Ledger
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has proposed a
ban on the importation of deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses into
Mississippi. According to Wildlife Bureau Director Chad Dacus, the intent
of the regulation is to prevent the introduction of disease into
Mississippi's deer herd.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2016/05/19/deer-carcass-import-ban-proposed/84599076/
State finance leader retiring in June
Kevin Upchurch leaving DFA Executive Director position
WAPT
JACKSON, Miss. —Kevin Upchurch, the state fiscal officer and executive
director of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration,
announced that he is planning to retire from state government service at
the end of June.
http://www.wapt.com/news/central-mississippi/jackson/state-finance-leader-retiring-in-june/39637244
Oil Spill
Season's first Kemp's turtle nest spotted
Houston Chronicle
GALVESTON - Two college students on Thursday discovered the first eggs this
nesting season laid by an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle on the upper
Texas Gulf Coast.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Season-s-first-Kemp-s-turtle-nest-spotted-7784719.php
Regional
Nile crocodiles captured in South Florida still have scientists seeking
answers
AP
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Step aside, Burmese python — you may no longer be
Florida's scariest invasive species. Researchers have confirmed that three
Nile crocodiles were captured near Miami, and they say it's possible more
of the man-eating reptiles are still out there, although no one can say for
sure.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/05/20/nile-crocodiles-captured-in-south-florida-still-have-scientists-seeking-answers.html?intcmp=hpbt4
National
Carbon dioxide levels jump by record amount due to El Nino
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) - The amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the air
jumped by the biggest amount on record last month, a rise amplified by El
Nino, scientists say.
http://www.wlox.com/story/32018323/carbon-dioxide-levels-jump-by-record-amount-due-to-el-nino?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
EPA Issues New Health Advisories for Chemical Found Near Some Plastics
Plants
Agency decreases acceptable concentrations of PFOA and PFOS
WSJ
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new health advisory
Thursday for perfluorooctanoic acid, a potentially toxic chemical, calling
for water utilities across the nation to adhere to a stricter guideline
than the agency had previously recommended.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-issues-new-health-advisories-for-chemical-from-some-plastics-plants-1463687484
EPA suggests tighter limits for industrial chemical in water
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators announced tighter guidelines Thursday
for human exposure to an industrial chemical used for decades in such
consumer products as non-stick pans, stain-resistant carpets and microwave
popcorn bags.
http://ktar.com/story/1081028/epa-issues-tighter-limits-for-industrial-chemical-in-water/
EPA shifting from science to 'public perception' model on pesticides?
Organizations say adversarial relationship becoming strained
May 19, 2016Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press
Farmers are losing crop protection chemicals at an alarming rate, often due
to what are being called increasingly arbitrary decisions by the
Environmental Protection Agency acting outside of FIFRA.
http://deltafarmpress.com/cotton/epa-shifting-science-public-perception-model-pesticides?page=1
State Officials Investigated Over Their Inquiry Into Exxon Mobil's Climate
Change Research
NY Times
Since last November, a growing number of state attorneys general have been
pointing their fingers at Exxon Mobil, investigating whether the energy
company's research about climate change conflicted directly with its public
statements on the issue.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/science/exxon-mobil-climate-change-global-warming.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&_r=0
Deal Settles Homeowners' Suit Over Nuclear-Weapons Plant
Dow Chemical, Rockwell Automation agree to pay $375 million in lawsuit over
plutonium releases
AP
DENVER—Thousands of homeowners have reached a $375 million settlement over
their claims that plutonium releases from a nuclear-weapons plant in
Colorado damaged their health and devalued their property, officials said
Thursday.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/deal-settles-homeowners-suit-over-nuclear-weapons-plant-1463706965
Lake Mead declines to lowest level in history
The (Palm Springs, Calif.) Desert Sun
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The nation's largest reservoir has broken a record,
declining to the lowest level since it was filled in the 1930s.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/05/19/lake-mead-declines-lowest-level-history/84628000/
People love watching nature on nest cams – until it gets grisly
Washington Post
The osprey cam at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is trained on a
nest near the Massachusetts seaside, and the pair that call it home are now
waiting for three eggs to hatch. But for the first spring in a decade, the
camera is dark, and a note on the institute's website offers only a
two-sentence explanation.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article78784122.html
Press releases
FEMA Adds Two Additional Counties to Disaster Declaration for Public
Assistance
PEARL – Gov. Phil Bryant's request for Issaquena and Lawrence counties to
become eligible for all categories of Public Assistance was approved today.
Public Assistance provides reimbursement to state, tribal and local
governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations for things like
debris removal and repair of damaged infrastructure.
The counties granted all categories of the Public Assistance program are:
Bolivar, Claiborne, Clarke, Coahoma, Covington, Forrest, Greene, Holmes,
Issaquena, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Leake, Leflore,
Lincoln, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower,
Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Walthall, Washington and Wayne.
The Public Assistance categories are as follows:
· Category A: Debris Removal.
· Category B: Emergency Protective Measures.
· Category C: Roads and Bridges.
· Category D: Water Control Facilities.
· Category E: Buildings and Equipment.
· Category F: Utilities.
· Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items.
The Public Assistance Grant Program through FEMA is a reimbursement grant
program paid to state, tribal and local governments, and certain non-profit
groups. Typically, the federal share is 75 percent, and the remaining 25
percent is shared between the state and local governments at a rate of 12.5
percent respectively. Eligible non-profit groups are responsible for the
full 25 percent.
Residents in Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones,
Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie,
Tunica, Washington and Wayne counties can register online for FEMA's
Individual Assistance Program at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling
1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The hearing and speech impaired can call
1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Survivors of the March floods in Individual
Assistance declared counties have until Tuesday, May 24, 2016 to register
with FEMA.
For more information about recovery efforts, visit MEMA's website at
www.msema.org. The best way to get up-to-date information is to "Like" MEMA
on Facebook, or "Follow" us on Twitter @msema.
###
MAY 19, 2016
Science Guides Public Health Protection for Drinking Water
By Joel Beauvais
As a country, we've come a long way toward providing clean air, water, and
land – essential resources that support healthy, productive lives. But
we have more work to do to make sure that every American has access to safe
drinking water.
That's why EPA launched a concerted engagement effort with key partners and
stakeholders – including state, tribal and local governments, drinking
water utilities, and public health, environmental and community
stakeholders – to develop and implement a national action plan to address
critical drinking water challenges and opportunities.
As always, our work to protect public health and the environment must
consistently be built on a foundation of sound science and data. When it
comes to drinking water, scientific information helps us identify
pollutants of concern – including new or emerging contaminants – assess
potential health impacts, and understand the steps needed to address them.
Today, based on the latest science on two chemical contaminants called PFOA
and PFOS, EPA released drinking water health advisories to provide the most
up-to-date information on the health risks of these chemicals. These
advisories will help local water systems and state, tribal and local
officials take the appropriate steps to address PFOA and PFOS if needed.
For many years, PFOA and PFOS were widely used in carpets, clothing,
furniture fabrics, food packaging, and other materials to make them more
resistant to water, grease, and stains. PFOA and PFOS were also used for
firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes. Between
2000 and 2002, PFOS was voluntarily phased out of production in the U.S. by
its primary manufacturer. And EPA asked eight major companies to commit to
eliminate their production and use of PFOA by the end of 2015 and they have
indicated that they have met their commitments. While there are some
limited ongoing uses of these chemicals, in recent years, blood testing
data has shown that exposures are declining across the country.
For most people, their source of exposure to PFOA and PFOS has come through
food and consumer products. But drinking water can be an additional source
of exposure in the small percentage of communities where these chemicals
have contaminated water supplies. This is typically a localized issue
associated with a specific facility – for example, in communities where a
manufacturing plant or airfield made or used these chemicals.
EPA's assessment indicates that drinking water with individual or combined
concentrations of PFOA and PFOS below 70 parts per trillion is not expected
to result in adverse health effects over a lifetime of exposure. These
levels reflect a margin of protection, including for the most sensitive
populations.
If these chemicals are found in drinking water systems above these levels,
system operators should quickly conduct additional sampling to assess the
level, scope, and source of contamination. They should also promptly
notify consumers and consult with their state drinking water agency to
discuss appropriate next steps. Public notification is especially important
for pregnant or nursing women because of the impact these chemicals can
have on the development of fetuses and breastfed or formula-fed infants.
There are a number of options available to water systems to lower
concentrations of these chemicals in the drinking water supply.
EPA will continue sharing the latest science and information so that state
and local officials can make informed decisions and take actions to protect
public health. This is an important part of our broader effort to support
states and public water systems as we work together to strengthen the
safety of America's drinking water.
For more information on the health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, visit the
webpage.
https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/05/protection-for-drinking-water/
