State
The Latest: MEMA: Flood damage reports south Mississippi
AP
The Latest on flooding in the Deep South (all times local):
7:15 a.m.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says damage reports are coming in on the flooding in southern Mississippi.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/nation-world/article95697652.html
What can be done for Wilson Slough?
Picayune Item
Built in the late 90s, work to the weir near Walkiah Bluff Water Park along the Pearl River in Pearl River County was conducted to provide a 50/50 low flow to Mississippi and Louisiana. Today, that split is said to be closer to 20/80, with Mississippi getting the least amount.
http://www.picayuneitem.com/2016/08/what-can-be-done-for-wilson-slough/
Diesel spill closes one lane of Broadway Drive in Hattiesburg
WDAM
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -A diesel spill has closed one lane of Broadway Drive in Hattiesburg.
http://www.wdam.com/story/32749550/diesel-spill-closes-one-lane-of-broadway-drive-in-hattiesburg
So, you think you know alligators
Clarion Ledger
Love 'em or hate 'em, alligators capture the attention of just about everyone in Mississippi. And rightly so; they're the biggest, baddest animals in the state. But what you don't know about them may be even more fascinating.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2016/08/13/so-you-think-you-know-alligators/88608624/
Hunters, mark your calendars for six deer seasons
Sun Herald
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks announced dates for the white-tailed deer season. Deer season is very popular in the state.
http://www.sunherald.com/sports/outdoors/article95523172.html
Agencies lower state's credit rating, outlook
Clarion Ledger
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Mississippi's credit rating on $4 billion in outstanding debt, and Moody's Investor Services has lowered the state's credit outlook to negative, moves that could cost taxpayers when the state refinances debt or borrows if not addressed.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/12/moodys-credit-outlook/88641470/
Oil Spill
Shrimp industry director steamed
Brownsville Herald
Andrea Hance isn’t happy.
The executive director of the Texas Shrimp Association said that of the billions of dollars in RESTORE Act money — fines related to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010 — that have been distributed to various groups in Gulf states, her industry received nothing for marketing and promotion, even though Texas shrimpers were significantly affected by the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/article_bd7f892c-60fb-11e6-a1d9-73eceaaeea0a.html
Regional
Rutledge, others challenge EPA's anti-haze plan
Rules called costly, fruitless
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
An effort by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to update decade-old haze regulations that have yet to be implemented in Arkansas drew criticism this week from Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and seven other attorneys general.
NC official's resignation highlights clash in politics, public-health policy
The character attack on a state toxicologist by environment and health administrators last week and the abrupt resignation submitted a day later in protest by one of the toxicologist’s managers shed more light on the volatile mix of politics and public-health policy now in play at the highest levels of North Carolina’s government.
National
DIVIDED AMERICA: Global warming polarizes more than abortion
AP
WASHINGTON
Tempers are rising in America, along with the temperatures.
Two decades ago, the issue of climate change wasn't as contentious. The leading U.S. Senate proponent of taking action on global warming was Republican John McCain. George W. Bush wasn't as zealous on the issue as his Democratic opponent for president in 2000, Al Gore, but he, too, talked of regulating carbon dioxide.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article95272402.html
Lead Levels Below EPA Limits Can Still Impact Your Health
NPR
The residents of Flint, Mich., received some welcome news this week: Researchers released the results of a new round of water tests, showing lead levels in that city's water system falling just below the Environmental Protection Agency action level.
SoCal hit with worst smog in years as hot, stagnant weather brings surge in hospital visits
LA Times
Southern California is experiencing its worst smog in years this summer as heat and stagnant weather increase the number of bad air days and drive up ozone pollution to levels not seen since 2009.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-summer-smog-20160805-snap-story.html
New regs for Monday: Fish, hazardous materials
The Hill
Threatened: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is delaying potentially new protections for certain species of fish.
The FWS proposed to list the headwater chub and certain round tail chubs as threatened species in October, but is now reopening the comment period as it contemplates “substantial disagreement regarding the ... accuracy of the available data.”
The public now has an additional 30 days to comment.
Petroleum: The Department of Transportation is moving forward with new hazardous materials regulations.
The Transportation Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced Friday new mandates and minimum requirements that will apply to tank cars that carry "petroleum, ethanol, and other flammable liquids."
The changes go into effect immediately.
http://thehill.com/regulation/291238-new-regs-for-monday-fish-hazardous-materials
Opinion
California’s Cow Police
Progressives find a new climate-change villain to regulate.
WSJ
First they came after the oil producers, then manufacturers, and now they’re coming for the cows. Having mandated emissions reductions from fossil fuels, California’s relentless progressives are seeking to curb the natural gas emanating from dairy farms.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-cow-police-1471042850
Press Releases
Gov. Bryant Declares State of Emergency for Severe Flooding
PEARL – Gov. Phil Bryant issued a State of Emergency today for Adams, Amite, Pike, Wilkinson and any other counties affected by the heavy rainfall and severe flooding over the last few days.
The National Weather Service in Slidell reports 14.17 inches of rain in Gloster and 9.5 inches in Woodville in Wilkinson County and 8.5 inches of rain in Liberty in Amite County over the last 48 hours.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services and American Red Cross have opened a shelter in Adams County, located at 323 Liberty Road in Natchez, for residents displaced by flooding. There were 56 people in the shelter Friday night. MEMA is coordinating the delivery of fully accessible showers to the shelter.
"I want to make sure all Mississippians that were forced out of their homes by this flooding are taken care of," Gov. Bryant said. “This state of emergency will ensure state resources are available to all local governments that need help.”
There are several roads affected by flooding in south Mississippi. For the latest travel updates, please go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s website, www.MDOTtraffic.com or call 5-1-1.
The State of Emergency is an administrative tool that allows local governments to request state assistance for response and recovery associated with the storms.
Damage assessments will be conducted by MEMA and local officials as areas become accessible.
MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information during this event is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter @msema.
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Updated Flood Damage Reports to MEMA
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received updated damage reports ongoing flooding in south Mississippi.
Wilkinson County Emergency Management reports 71 homes damaged from flooding, primarily in the towns of Crosby and Centreville. There are 67 people in the shelter, opened in Natchez on Saturday, housing the displaced residents. The Mississippi Department of Human Services and American Red Cross are managing the shelter.
Amite, Harrison and Pike counties are reporting flood damage to several roads.
Damage assessments conducted by MEMA and local officials are scheduled to begin Monday.
There are several roads affected by flooding in south Mississippi. For the latest travel updates, please go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s website, www.MDOTtraffic.com or call 5-1-1.
The State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating requests for resources from affected counties.
The National Weather Service in Slidell reported more than 14 inches of rain fell in southwest Mississippi over a 48-hour period.
Gov. Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency for Adams, Amite, Pike, Wilkinson and other counties affected by flooding on August 13.
In addition, Gov. Bryant has authorized the use of two Mississippi National Guard CH-47 helicopters for flood response operations in Louisiana.
MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information during this event is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter @msema.
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