State
Ross Barnett Spillway to allow more water flow
NewsMS
Pearl river rising, water could reach 32 ft Thursday
WLBT
Enterprise-Journal
Climate: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is formally launching a review that could lead to the
suspension of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.
President Trump last week issued an executive order requiring the EPA to “reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.”
This led the EPA to formally announce the review of several Obama-era environmental policies, including the
Clean Power Plan and
emissions limits for newly constructed power plants.
http://thehill.com/regulation/326963-new-regs-for-tuesday-climate-dentists-international-adoptions Press releases
Barnett Reservoir to increase discharge A rapid and intense rain event overnight on Sunday forced Barnett Reservoir officials to increase discharge at the dam to lessen the impact of flooding downstream this week, the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District announced on Monday.
After a 10 a.m. conference call with the National Weather Service Jackson, the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center in Slidell, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg and the City of Jackson, PRVWSD announced a plan to increase the release to 25,000 cubic feet per second at noon Monday with a plan to reach 33,000 cfs by noon on Tuesday.
“Our plan is to stay ahead of the curve of the predicted inflow into the reservoir, which will lessen the eventual impact downstream,” said John Sigman, PRVWSD General Manager. “Another conference call is scheduled for Tuesday morning. By then we will have a better picture of what is coming and we will adjust our plan accordingly.”
The National Weather Service has predicted a crest of 32.5 feet on the Pearl River in Jackson at noon on Wednesday (April 5). At that level, only minor street flooding is expected.
Reservoir officials closed access to the Madison County boat ramp located on the spillway at 11 a.m. on Monday, and it will remain closed until further notice.
The Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center predicted a peak inflow of 37,500 feet into Barnett Reservoir at noon on Wednesday.
The quick, heavy rain event saw the reservoir level jump from 297.0 feet above mean sea level to 298.3 feet in a matter of a few hours.
River levels can be tracked online at these websites:
For Barnett Reservoir: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=jan&gage=jsnm6
For Jackson:
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=jan&gage=jacm6 EPA Administrator Seeks Additional Time to Review RMP Rule 03/31/2017
Contact Information:
U.S. EPA Media Relations (
press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a
proposed rule this week to further delay the effective date of EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) Amendments to allow EPA time to complete the process for reconsidering the RMP Amendments issued on January 17, 2017.
“We want to prevent regulation created for the sake of regulation by the previous Administration. Any expansion of the RMP program should make chemical facilities safer, without compromising our national security. And, any new RMP requirements should be developed in accordance with the explicit mandate granted to EPA by Congress,” said Administrator Pruitt.
Administrator Pruitt’s proposal to further delay the effective date of the amendments will allow the Agency time to evaluate the objections raised by multiple petitioners and consider other issues that may benefit from additional public input. The Agency will also use this time to ensure that all provisions in the RMP Amendments are in accordance with the explicit mandate granted to EPA by Congress in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
On March 13, 2017, Administrator Pruitt signed a letter announcing the convening of a proceeding for reconsideration of the RMP Amendments and signed a final rule issuing a three-month stay of the effective date, thereby delaying the effective date to June 19, 2017. The proposed rule signed by Administrator Pruitt on March 29, 2017, would, if finalized, further delay the effective date of amendments to the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act until February 19, 2019.
EPA will hold a
public hearing on this proposed rule on April 19, 2017, to solicit input on the proposed delay of the effective date. Written comments on the proposed delay are due by May 19, 2017.
Council Chair Approves Louisiana State Expenditure Plan
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) Chair, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has approved the
Louisiana State Expenditure Plan (SEP) based on the Council Acting Executive Director’s
approval recommendation. The Council Chair has found the Louisiana SEP is complete and meets all requirements contained in the RESTORE Act, the Department of the Treasury’s implementing regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 34), and the Council’s SEP Guidelines. USDA provided Louisiana with a
letter of approval, reiterating the Council’s commitment to ensuring an efficient and effective process for funding the activities in the Louisiana SEP. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority issued a
press release providing additional information about their projects and next steps.
Learn more about
State Expenditure Plans or the
RESTORE Council.
Secretary Zinke accepts President Trump’s first-quarter presidential salary as donation for National Park Service $78,333 to be put towards maintenance of historic battlefields WASHINGTON – Today, President Donald J. Trump donated his first quarter salary to the National Parks Service (NPS) to help fund the maintenance backlog in America’s historic battlefields. The donation, totaling $78,333, was accepted by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Superintendent Tyrone Brandyburg at the daily White House Press briefing.
“President Trump is dedicated to our veterans, our public lands, and keeping his promises, and by donating his salary to the National Park Service to repair our historic battlefields proves his commitment,” Secretary Zinke said. “These historic places tell the story of conflicts that helped shape our country’s history, and they also honor the many men and women who have given their lives in service of this great nation. I’m honored to help the president carry out his love and appreciation for our warriors and land.”
There are 25 sites across the National Park Service that are classified as National Battlefields, National Battlefield Parks, National Military Parks and National Battlefield Sites.
Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland, which commemorates the battle that led to President Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, saw over 350,000 visits last year.
Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, where the bloodiest battle of the Civil War took place, saw over 1 million visits in 2016.
“The National Park Service is proud and deeply honored by President Trump’s donation to support the preservation of battlefields in the National Park System,” said Acting National Park Service Director Michael T. Reynolds. “Philanthropy has been essential to the National Park Service’s mission since its establishment, and this notable contribution will enable the National Park Service to share these remarkable places with more visitors for generations to come.”
Since being confirmed, Secretary Zinke has made it clear that addressing the $12 billion in deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, which includes $229 million for battlefield sites, is one of the top priorities at the Department.
