State
Birds adapt to climate change
Clarion Ledger
As climate change transforms Mississippi’s coastline and marshes, scientists are keeping tabs on birds that are vulnerable to shakeups in their nesting grounds.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/09/04/birds-adapt-climate-change/89726876/
Bacteria levels too high on 9 Coast beaches
Sun Herald
Nine beaches in South Mississippi have bacteria levels that are too high, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reported Friday.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/article99706567.html
| MDEQ Issues Six Water Contact Advisories |
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued water contact advisories Friday for stations 1, 2, 7, 7A, 8, and 9. Advisories remain in effect for stations 4, 10, and 11.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_10120.shtml#.V866qvmU2Uk
Sewer upgrades begin on Tupelo’s west side
Daily Journal
TUPELO – The city’s newest western edge is now center stage of ongoing efforts to bring a full complement of utility services to residents brought into the Tupelo city limits during a 2012 annexation.
http://djournal.com/news/sewer-upgrades-begin-tupelos-west-side/
Dead fish, stinky smell limited to Pass Christian Harbor, DMR says
Sun Herald
PASS CHRISTIAN
Dead fish and a stinky smell at the Pass Christian Harbor are caused by a low oxygen level, according to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article99524647.html
Why a state agency paid $291K for a boat ‘fishermen dream of’
Sun Herald
BILOXI
This is not Bill Walker’s Department of Marine Resources.
The DMR just bought a 39-foot, offshore boat, but it won’t be used for the legislative fishing trips, fishing tournaments and birthday outings that Bill Walker sanctioned under his regime, Executive Director Jamie Miller told the Sun Herald.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/article99796012.html
The ‘Blue Economy’ to get a boost with $10M Marine Science Facility at Port of Gulfport
MBJ
By BECKY GILLETTE
GULFPORT — It has been estimated that 35 percent of the Coast’s economy is based on maritime businesses like shipbuilding, transportation, fishing and tourism. And now what has been dubbed the “Blue Economy” will get another boost with the construction of a new $10-million Marine Science Facility that will be built by the Port of Gulfport for the University of Southern Mississippi.
http://msbusiness.com/2016/09/blue-economy-get-boost-10m-marine-science-facility-port-gulfport/
New Mississippi rule affects transportation of big game harvested in other states
Sun Herald
A new Mississippi rule affects hunters who travel out of state to for big game.
The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks passed in May Rule 2.7, which it calls Prohibition on Cervid Carcass Importation. The MDWFP said in a Sept. 1 press release the rule was approved to protect the state from chronic wasting disease.
http://www.sunherald.com/sports/outdoors/article99960727.html
Oil Spill
Jefferson Parish seeking comment on coastal barrier project for Grand Isle
The Advocate
Jefferson Parish is seeking public comment on its plan to use millions of dollars in federal RESTORE Act money on coastal restoration and protection projects, the first of which will be to complete a protective barrier around Grand Isle.
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_918dcd8e-7077-11e6-ad33-db65098596ee.html
Minnesota on the cusp of a new era of loon conservation
Star-Tribune
The moon over Lower Hay Lake set just before midnight, adding welcome darkness for a team of researchers on a mission to capture loons.
http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-on-the-cusp-of-a-new-era-of-loon-conservation/392254151/
Alabama, zip line owner at odds over beach project
AP
GULF SHORES, Ala. — Alabama’s attempt to rebuild its beachfront state park using oil spill money is again embroiled in controversy, with a businessman arguing officials are shutting down his adventure attraction within the resort and refusing him $40,000 in compensation as construction continues on a new coastal hotel.
Regional
Small earthquake recorded near Miss.—Alabama border
Clarion Ledger
A year after after several earthquakes shook Madison County, the U.S. Geological Survey says it's possible Mississippi residents experienced tremors from a minor earthquake that occurred just east of the state line in Aliceville, Alabama early Monday morning.
Coast Guard: more than 5,000 gallons of oil spills in the Gulf
WWL
NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard and other agencies are responding to an oil spill Monday off the coast of Bay Long, Louisiana.
Despite $5 million Daikin settlement, many legal challenges remain over chemicals in Tennessee River
WHNT
DECATUR, Ala. -- A federal lawsuit over chemicals discharged into the Tennessee River, filed in June by environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper Inc., should be dismissed according to defendants 3M, the City of Decatur and BFI Waste Systems of Alabama.
National
Disposal Wells’ Link to Oklahoma Earthquake Scrutinized
U.S. Geological Survey is looking into whether oil and gas companies’ underground wastewater disposal set off temblor
WSJ
The U.S. Geological Survey is examining whether the 5.6-magnitude earthquake that shook Oklahoma on Saturday and tied for the strongest temblor ever recorded in the state was triggered by the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/disposal-wells-link-to-oklahoma-earthquake-scrutinized-1473102739
This Mojave Desert solar plant kills 6,000 birds a year. Here's why that won't change any time soon
LA Times
A macabre fireworks show unfolds each day along I-15 west of Las Vegas, as birds fly into concentrated beams of sunlight and are instantly incinerated, leaving wisps of white smoke against the blue desert sky.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-solar-bird-deaths-20160831-snap-story.html
Utah challenges EPA's regional haze decision
KSL
SALT LAKE CITY —The federal rejection of a portion of the state's plan to control regional haze at national parks is prompting Utah to file a legal challenge in hopes the courts will deem the local plan sufficient.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=41321957
Former New Mexico govn't official to lead oil industry group
AP
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
The former head of the New Mexico Environment Department was appointed Friday to lead an oil and gas group that represents producers around the state, a move that drew criticism from environmentalists concerned about a revolving door between government and industry.
http://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article99631072.html
Opinion
Tax, budget groups? Been there, done that
AP
Emily Wagster Pettus
JACKSON - Mississippi’s Republican legislative leaders have created “working groups” that will meet a few days over the next several weeks to delve into tax policies and pick apart government spending practices.
