State
MDEQ panel upholds ruling on water permit for Costco site
MBJ
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s permit board on Tuesday unanimously upheld its earlier ruling on a water permit it issued for the expansion of the Renaissance at Colony Park.
http://msbusiness.com/2016/11/mdeq-panel-upholds-ruling-water-permit-costco-site/
Hattiesburg receives EPA grant for stormwater pilot program
WDAM
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -Hattiesburg is one of five cities nationwide to receive a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help develop long-term stormwater management plans.
http://www.wdam.com/story/33679933/hattiesburg-receives-epa-grant-for-stormwater-pilot-program
Outdoors notes
Meridian Star
Riecke named Fisheries Biologist of the Year
MDWFP Fisheries Biologist Dennis Riecke was recently named Fisheries Biologist of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Riecke was presented the award at the association's 69th annual meeting in Baton Rouge.
Safe, confidential way to dispose of drugs
WTOK
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WTOK) -- The Louisville Police Department is trying to curb the abuse of prescription drugs by offering a drug disposal kiosk so prescriptions don't fall into the wrong hands.
http://www.wtok.com/content/news/Safe-confidential-way-to-dispose-of-drugs--400595821.html
Were DMR records public? State Supreme Court will decide
Sun Herald
The Mississippi Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Sun Herald’s appeal of a decision that found business records belonging to the state Department of Marine Resources were exempt from public disclosure because they were part of an investigation being conducted by the State Auditor’s Office.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/article114065903.html
State agency budget working groups
WTVA
JACKSON, Miss (WTVA) - It's no secret that Mississippi's budget is in trouble.
So, lawmakers are looking for ways to use the money more effectively.
http://www.wtva.com/news/State_budget_working_groups.html
Regional
Jefferson lawsuit against 9 oil firms to go to trial, judge rules
Times-Picayune
A wetlands damage lawsuit filed by Jefferson Parish against nine oil and gas companies must go to trial, a 24th Judicial District Court judge ruled Thursday (Nov. 10), saying attempts by the parish and the state of Louisiana to enforce provisions of permits under which the companies damaged the environment "would be irreparably inadequate."
National
Trump likely to try to reverse Obama environment initiatives
AP
GAINESVILLE, FLA.
President-elect Donald Trump has not minced words about his approach to environment and energy policy: He loathes regulation and wants to increase the use of coal, offshore drilling and fracking.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article114107718.html
Climate Change Denier is leading Trump’s EPA Transition Team
CBS
President-elect Donald Trump has selected a climate skeptic to lead his Environmental Protection Agency transition team, a man whose beliefs are distinctly at odds with President Obama’s environmental policies.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/leading-climate-change-denier-among-those-on-trumps-environmental-team/
N.J. official on short list for Trump's cabinet, report says
NJ.com
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie may not be the only New Jersey state official with a shot at landing a key spot in President-elect Donald Trump's new administration.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/trump_cabinet_is_joe_aiello_up_for_epa_administrat.html
Coming Soon to EPA: A Trump Transition Team
Bloomberg
The Environmental Protection Agency should expect to have a few visitors arriving soon: a small “landing team” that will start work on the transition of power from President Barack Obama to President-elect Donald Trump.
http://www.bna.com/coming-soon-epa-n57982082666/
Parts of 22 States Unlikely to Meet 2015 Ozone Standards
Bloomberg
Parts of at least 22 states are unlikely to meet the 2015 ozone standards, and that number could grow before decisions on the final list of nonattainment areas are made next year, according to a Bloomberg BNA surveyof state environmental agencies.
http://www.bna.com/parts-22-states-n57982082426/
Wyoming Study: Fracking Likely Not Behind Well Water Problem
AP
A final state report released Thursday on foul-smelling well water in Wyoming contradicts an EPA report from five years ago that ignited a national backlash when it suggested hydraulic fracturing was the cause of the contamination.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wyoming-study-fracking-water-problem-43448544
John Kerry lands in Antarctica, highest US official to visit
AP
MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry became the highest-ranking American official to visit Antarctica on Friday when he landed for a two-day trip during which he'll hear from scientists about the impact of climate change on the frozen continent.
Regulators overhaul wind, solar power rules for federal land
The Hill
Federal regulators made final a rule Thursday overhauling how wind and solar power companies lease public land.
EPA rejects plea to tweak ethanol mandate’s rules
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making plans to reject a plea by some fuel refiners to shift responsibility for ethanol mandate compliance away from them.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/305405-epa-rejects-plea-to-tweak-ethanol-mandates-rules
New regs for Friday: Mediation, coal mines, oil and gas
The Hill
Oil: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is moving forward with new oil and gas regulations.
http://thehill.com/regulation/305389-new-regs-for-friday-mediation-coal-mines-oil-and-gas
Opinion
BIDDING CORRUPTION MAKES STATE FIRMS UNCOMPETITIVE
Northside Sun
The Continental Tire plant broke ground in Clinton last week and Mississippi contractors are all upset the multimillion dollar 900-acre site-clearing contract went to a Georgia firm.
Press Releases
The Nature Conservancy Announces Completed Restoration of Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Project restores more than 3,500 wetland acres in Mississippi Delta.
Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge, MS | November 10, 2016
One of the largest wetland restorations in the Mississippi Delta is now complete, thanks to a partnership between local landowners, The Nature Conservancy, along with public and private partners. Over 3,500 acres of critical forested wetlands is now restored and will continue to benefit wildlife, Mississippi sportsman, and the surrounding community.
Those private partners, Entergy Mississippi, the James M. Cox Foundation, PowerTree & UtiliTree Carbon Companies, the Caterpillar Foundation, Delta Wildlife and the Walker Foundation provided funding for the $700,000 plus project.
The project was deemed complete following the construction and installation of a large water control structure at Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge. Controlling water is key to restoring critical wetland and waterfowl habitat, which has decreased by 55% due to low water conditions at the refuge.
“Mathews Brake is truly an iconic natural landmark in the Mississippi Delta, both as a critical wetland and also a true outdoor destination for so many across the state and the southeast.,” said Alex Littlejohn, Associate State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi. “It is humbling to play a role in ensuring the brake will be maintained for generations to come. However, none of this would have happened without the help from everyone that played a role (supporters) and my hat is off to all of them. It’s amazing how it all came together and I can’t say enough about the partnership that made this work possible.”
“Entergy Mississippi is committed to being a good steward of the land that we own and the wildlife and natural resources that are in our care,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “Developing solutions for the environment requires short- and long-term actions, along with commitment and follow-through, and we commend our partners for their effort in making this restoration possible.”
“Mathews Brake is one of Mississippi’s natural jewels,” said Scott Lemons, director of freshwater programs for The Nature Conservancy. “This project allows refuge staff to manage the brake’s wetland system for the first time in refuge history.”
Mathews Brake encompasses 3,500 acres of cypress-tupelo dominated wetland habitat, providing habitat to over 30,000 annual wintering waterfowl and representing one of the largest remaining contiguous forested wetlands in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. In 1980, 2,418 acres of the brake were purchased by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to establish the Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge. Attracting an estimated 35,000 visitors annually, the refuge also serves as a significant economic driver for the local economy.
"The first thing I want to do is offer my thanks to an incredible partnership with The Nature Conservancy, private landowners, Entergy Mississippi, the Cox Foundation, PowerTree and UtiliTree Carbon Companies as well as the Caterpillar Foundation and the Walker Foundation," said Mike Rich, project leader for the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex. "An estimated 2,000 acres in additional waterfowl habitat will serve as a pretty good boost to the local tourism economy through additional hunting and outdoor recreational opportunities. It's a good deal for the ducks. It's a good deal for hunters. And it's a good deal for local businesses that cater to outdoor users."
Visit nature.org/MathewsBrake for more information.
USDA/NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Now Available
Jackson, Miss. – The United States Department of Agriculture / Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) will accept and process applications for enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP),
the nation’s largest conservation program. NRCS has made several updates to the program to help producers
better evaluate their conservation options and the benefits to their operations and natural resources.
These new updates include methods and software for evaluating applications designed to assist producers
in determining why they are, or are not, meeting stewardship thresholds. The tools allow producers the ability
to pick practices and enhancements that work for their individual conservation objectives and see potential
payment scenarios early in the process.
NRCS encourages producers, through CSP, to adopt the cutting-edge technologies and new management
techniques that include precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage, planting for high carbon
sequestration rate and new soil amendments to improve water quality.
Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining
and expanding conservation activities, while maintaining active agriculture production on their land. CSP
practices like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips and pollinator habitat, help to
maintain healthier forest lands, cleaner air and water and healthier soil.
“This year, the Conservation Stewardship Program will provide more opportunities for conservation and
greater flexibility at the local level to prioritize resource concerns and conservation approaches,”
stated Kurt Readus, State Conservationist for Mississippi. “Customized CSP tools for Mississippi will
improve the customer experience during the application evaluation process.”
NRCS offices in Mississippi will begin processing applications for the program on November 14, 2016,
with sign-up continuing through February 3, 2017. People interested in the additional opportunities the
updated CSP will offer can find information on the new CSP portal, located at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/csp .
This one-stop shop, which provides information to help producers determine whether CSP is right for them,
will be continually updated as more information becomes available. Changes that producers can expect to
see include nearly double the enhancements and conservation practices offered and better reporting tools to
tell producers the results of their conservation efforts on their land.
NRCS has addressed input from farmers, ranchers, partners and local workgroups, requesting greater
flexibility to address local resource concerns. NRCS will more effectively utilize this information to
expand certain conservation strategies to better prepare producers.
CSP is designed to assist in establishing conservation stewardship on working lands to improve water
and soil quality and enhance wildlife habitat. Producers interested in the program should visit their local
USDA Service Center to submit an application. Information about CSP, including national and state ranking
questions and enhancement descriptions, is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/csp.
