State
Feds, state get pennies on dollar for chemical cleanup
Clarion Ledger
Under a proposed consent decree filed by the Department of Justice, the feds and state will recoup about $250,000 of more than $27 million in cleanup costs from the estate of a former Flowood chemical plant owner.
Jackson mayor blames council for missed EPA deadlines
Clarion Ledger
Jackson is at risk of missing several Environmental Protection Agency deadlines in the city's consent decree over its faulty wastewater system. That's because for several months, the city has been without an engineering firm managing the work under the agreement.
Jackson mayor blames City Council for consent decree delays
Mississippi Today
If the city of Jackson misses a key deadline for its consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it will be the city council’s fault — at least according to Mayor Tony Yarber.
http://mississippitoday.org/2016/11/16/jackson-mayor-blames-city-council-for-consent-decree-delays/
Neighbors relieved by 7th Avenue drainage improvements
WTVA
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) -- Some much-needed drainage improvements are being made in one Columbus community.
http://www.wtva.com/news/Neighbors_relieved_by_7th_Avenue_drainage_improvements_.html
City working with Costco developers on retention pond
Madison County Journal
RIDGELAND — City officials approved an agreement Tuesday night with Costco developers to allow access to a detention pond and project boundaries in anticipation of work both parties have agreed to complete in the area. http://onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/News/Article/City-working-with-Costco-developers-on-retention-pond/-3/592/38887
Officials show failures in CMU infrastructure sewer tour
Madison County Journal
CANTON — Exposed storm drains, discarded iron piping, and floating manholes were just a few of the sights seen during a tour of Canton Municipal Utilities’ sewer system Tuesday as contractors continue work under an emergency sewer contract issued in October. http://onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/News/Article/Officials-show-failures-in-CMU-infrastructure-sewer-tour/-3/592/38893
GULFPORT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MAKING HISTORY
WXXV
Gulfport is the first city in the entire state of Mississippi to have the public works department officially accredited.
http://www.wxxv25.com/2016/11/16/gulfport-public-works-department-making-history/
Asbestos removal efforts almost underway at old motel
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Early efforts have begun to remove toxic asbestos building materials from a deteriorating motel building on North Gloster Street.
http://djournal.com/news/asbestos-removal-efforts-almost-underway-old-motel/
Nature trail opens in Henderson Point
WLOX
PASS CHRISTIAN, MS (WLOX) -An effort to bring students to the outdoors in Pass Christian had its first trial run Wednesday morning.
http://www.wlox.com/story/33727555/nature-trail-opens-in-henderson-point
$500K available for bicentennial events
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Communities and organizations hosting events tied to Mississippi’s bicentennial celebration next year can receive a grant worth up to $10,000.
http://djournal.com/news/500k-available-bicentennial-events/
Oil Spill
NEW BP OIL SPILL RESTORATION PROJECTS
MPB
Mississippi officials say improving water quality is one of the main issues addressed by a new round of oil spill restoration projects. http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/mississippiedition/mississippi-edition-wednesday-november-16th/
NEW RESTORATION PROJECTS TOTAL $114 MILLION
MPB
Governor Phil Bryant says the latest round of environmental and economic restoration will include 15 new projects totaling $114 million. MPB’s Evelina Burnett has the details.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2016/11/16/new-restoration-projects-total-114-million/
COMMUNITY REACTS TO RESTORATION PROJECTS
WXXV
People all along the Coast are hopeful after Governor Phil Bryant announced the $114 million headed to the Coast for restoration projects.
http://www.wxxv25.com/2016/11/16/community-reacts-restoration-projects/
Biloxi Bay oyster reefs closed less than a day after reopening
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Investing $11 million in the future of Mississippi's oyster industry is included in two, long-term restoration projects recently announced by the governor.
http://www.wlox.com/story/33728071/biloxi-bay-oyster-reefs-closed-less-than-a-day-after-reopening
Pascagoula High takes the Restore Summit Challenge
Sun Herald
Video
http://www.sunherald.com/latest-news/article114995383.html
Bryant would delay spending BP settlement
Mississippi Today
Gov. Phil Bryant this week offered his solution to the contentious issue of how to spend $109 million in oil spill settlement funds: bank the money for a year so the Legislature can plan better how to spend it.
http://mississippitoday.org/2016/11/16/bryant-would-delay-spending-bp-settlement/
Gulf Shores BP funds will go toward keeping the land 'forever wild'
WPMI
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WPMI) — Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has approved more than $63 million for six Alabama projects that address high priority conservation needs, including the acquisition and restoration of coastal habitats in key focal areas.
Regional
Conservation groups release ‘dirty dozen’ Georgia waterways
AJC
Coal ash. Natural gas fracking. Aged sewers. Potentially dangerous pipelines.
The Georgia Water Coalition released Wednesday its annual “dirty dozen” list of Georgia’s most endangered waterways while urging citizens, utilities, lawmakers and others to protect the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and drinking water.
National
Stunningly good news for the planet: Carbon emissions were flat for the third straight year
Washington Post
A world greatly concerned about how the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president could stall global climate policy received a major dose of welcome news Sunday, when scientists published a projection suggesting that for the third straight year, global carbon dioxide emissions did not increase much in 2016.
EPA to host Thursday meeting in Houston on air quality rules for refineries
Houston Chronicle
Environmentalists scored a major victory a few years ago when a lawsuit they filed triggered new regulations aimed at curbing air pollution from refineries.
Those rules, issued last December by the Environmental Protection Agency, required sweeping changes for the nation's 140-plus refineries. Among other things, they required companies to establish fence-line air monitors and adhere to new emission limits.
USGS Announces Its Largest Oil And Gas Discovery Ever In The States
NPR
The U.S. Geological Survey says it has found the largest continuous oil and gas deposit ever discovered in the United States.
'Readijet' biofuel created in Panama City to fuel military jets
WJHG
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Imagine a world in which the military's most elite jets are fueled by a product made from kitchen grease.
Press Releases
Commercial Red Drum season to close until 2017
BILOXI, Miss. – The commercial fishing season for Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) will close in Mississippi territorial waters on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 11:59 p.m.
The commercial fishing season will reopen Sunday, Jan. 1, at 12:01 a.m.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.
—END—
| USDA Awards $9.4 Million for Safer, More Effective Pest Management |
| |
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded $9.4 million to support 25 research and outreach projects that will help mitigate pests, weeds and diseases on farms and in communities. The awards are made through NIFA's Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (CPPM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program which have awarded more than $64.5 million since 2014. "NIFA is making investments to ensure America's agriculture sector is able to rely on sound scientific approaches to increase production and ensure continued food security in the face of the many challenges including arthropod, weed and disease pests," said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. "The Crop Protection and Pest Management Program has a history of developing new tools, best management practices and strategies for healthy crop systems while supporting communities with effective, affordable and environmentally sound solutions that reduce potential health risks." Using a grant announced today, a University of Minnesota research team will scout for soybean pests using unmanned aerial vehicles to read light waves reflected off the soybean foliage. A North Carolina State University team will develop practices to improve growth and survival of urban trees. Pennsylvania State University will use a grant to adapt novel nanotube technology to make it possible to diagnose pest infections early and protect crops. Washington State University will develop integrated pest management strategies for the rapidly expanding U.S. hops industry. NIFA's CPPM and IPM investments are made through several programs. The Applied Research and Development Program Area (ARDP), which invests in high priority pest management projects that encourage adoption and implementation of new IPM technologies. The Promoting IPM in Affordable Housing grant provides IPM technical assistance services and training sessions to public housing authorities and other housing providers. The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) program helps to discover and implement practical and environmentally friendly pest management alternatives to transition from this older pesticide. The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) is a nationwide group of diagnostic laboratories that collaborate on early detection, identification and reporting of plant disease pathogens, especially those that may be biosecurity risks. 2016 ARDP recipients include:
Project details can be found on the NIFA website. 2016 Promoting IPM in Affordable Housing recipient is:
Project details can be found on the NIFA website. 2016 Methyl Bromide Transition recipients include:
Project details can be found on the NIFA website. 2016 National Plant Diagnostic Network recipients include:
Project details can be found on the NIFA website. Since 2009, USDA has invested $19 billion in research both intramural and extramural. During that time, research conducted by USDA scientists has resulted in 883 patent applications filed, 405 patents issued and 1,151 new inventions disclosures covering a wide range of topics and discoveries. To learn more about how USDA supports cutting edge science and innovation, visit the USDA Medium chapter Food and Ag Science Will Shape Our Future. NIFA invests in and advances innovative and transformative research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability and ensuring food safety. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates, or follow us on Twitter @usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. # |
