Friday, September 29, 2017

News Clippings September 29, 2017



State

Gulfport's new contract with Waste Pro to begin Oct. 1
WLOX

Gulfport's new solid waste Garbage collection contract with Waste Pro begins on Sunday, Oct. 1.

You asked: Disposing of glass safely, properly
Daily Leader

Q: Is there a way I can throw away broken glass safely?
A:Broken glass and other sharp items are physical hazards. Broken glass has the potential to be a health hazard as well.

Oyster season opens Monday in Biloxi Bay
WLOX

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Oyster season in Biloxi Bay opens next week on Monday, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced Thursday.

State Government

Education agency denies auditor's claim of breaking bid laws
AP
JACKSON, MISS. 

Mississippi State Auditor Stacey Pickering on Thursday accused the Mississippi Department of Education of breaking state laws governing contracts and said he's continuing to investigate problems.

Regional

Two Balch & Bingham lawyers and one Drummond executive indicted in bribery of state legislator
Al.com

Two attorneys at Balch & Bingham and one Drummond Company vice president were indicted Thursday on charges related to the bribery of former Alabama state Rep. Oliver Robinson.

Dolphin populations boom after hurricanes strike: report
Times-Picayune

Hurricanes aren't just bad for people. They blast bird nests, kill fish and strand marine mammals. But research shows at least one animal appears to do quite well in a hurricane's wake. 

National

EPA picks state lawmaker to lead New York office
The Hill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tapping a New York State lawmaker to lead its regional office based in New York City.

EPA finds Harvey damage at Houston Superfund site
AP

The Environmental Protection Agency is ordering companies responsible for cleaning up a Houston Superfund site flooded during Hurricane Harvey to immediately address damage to a protective cap and subsequent high levels of waste material detected in a sediment sample from the site.

Volkswagen to Take New $2.9 Billion Charge From Diesel Scandal
Costs stem from buyback and retrofitting programs of its 2.01 TDI vehicles in North America
WSJ

Volkswagen warned Friday its third-quarter operating result would take a hit of around €2.5 billion ($2.94 billion), as the company continues to grapple with the fallout of the diesel emissions scandal that erupted two years ago.

Camp Pendleton under consent decree after rats, frogs found in water supply
LA Times

Camp Pendleton officials swear that the water consumed by 55,000 Marines and their families is safe, despite a pair of scathing state and federal investigations indicating chronic problems in the treatment systems at the sprawling military base.

Chevron Names Michael Wirth Chairman, CEO
John Watson to retire in February after 37 years with second-largest U.S. oil company
WSJ

Chevron Corp. on Thursday named Michael Wirth as its next chief executive, choosing an engineer experienced at finding efficiencies and cutting costs as the energy company copes with a prolonged period of lower oil prices.

Press Releases

EPA Announces Appointment of Pete Lopez to Region 2 Administrator
09/28/2017
Contact Information: 

WASHINGTON (September 28, 2017) –Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Pete Lopez of New York to become Regional Administrator for Region 2. Mr. Lopez will oversee environmental protection efforts in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pete Lopez has served as a member of the New York State Assembly since 2007 representing a seven county region including Mid-Hudson, Northern Catskills, Southern Tier, and Capital District. Mr. Lopez is currently a member on the New York Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation and a member of the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy where he has worked to provide proper oversight of New York’s health and environment. While serving as a state legislator, Mr. Lopez has worked tirelessly to collaborate in developing and passing the state budget and promoting growth and opportunity for New Yorkers.
“Pete Lopez has spent nearly a decade in one of the country’s largest state legislatures working to improve the quality of life of his constituents,” said Administrator Pruitt. “His familiarity with the region and his experience working to solve environmental problems in New York will be invaluable in helping EPA serve Americans in the Northeast and the Caribbean.”
His nomination is receiving high accolades from across the region:
Ladan Alomar, Executive Director of Centro Civico: “Pete Lopez, for more than two decades, has made substantial contributions to improving lives of families in our region; we applaud him for his unconditional commitment to communities that he serves and congratulate him for his appointment to become EPA Regional Administrator.”
John Bartow, Executive Director of the Empire State Forest Products Association: “Pete Lopez has been a strong supporter of New York's forests and the forest products industry for several decades. He brings a broad understanding of the importance of sustainably managing natural resources while also meeting the needs of communities and local economies based on those resources. Pete will be a great asset to EPA and its responsibilities in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”
Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors: "In his time as a local official and then as a State Assemblyman, Pete Lopez has been widely recognized as a true public servant: hard-working, responsive, and a problem solver.  NYCOM is pleased to know that Pete will now have the opportunity to demonstrate that same dedication in his new capacity with the EPA, working collaboratively with city and village officials to protect the environment and enhance the quality-of-life in our communities."
Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “The Business Council of New York State congratulates Peter D. "Pete" Lopez for his appointment as the Region 2 Administrator for the EPA. The members of the business community have long respected Pete for his willingness to fight for what he believes is in the best interest of all New Yorkers. We know he will continue to do what is right for the people and the environment in his new role. As the Region 2 Administrator, Pete will oversee environmental protection efforts with a measured and rational approach and we look forward to working together."
Mike Elmendorf, President & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State: “We congratulate Administrator Pruitt on his appointment of Assemblyman Pete Lopez as EPA Regional Administrator for Region 2.  Pete Lopez is a proven leader and public servant, and we are confident that he will effectively balance responsible stewardship of our environmental resources with economic development, timely decision making and the need for streamlining our regulatory and permitting processes. We look forward to working with Assemblyman Lopez in his new role.”
Gavin Donohue, President and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York: “In Pete’s time with the Assembly, he took a balanced approach to energy and environmental policy. In the days after Hurricane Sandy, he had a pulse for what his local community needed and made sure those needs were met responsibly from an environmental standpoint. He will be a credit to the EPA, and independent power producers look forward to working with him.”
David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President: “New York Farm Bureau has had a long, positive working relationship with Pete Lopez. He understands the needs of the agricultural community and the important role farmers play in environmental stewardship. We look forward to working with him in his new position as Regional EPA Director. Together, we can successfully safeguard our natural resources while balancing the economic and regulatory challenges that farmers face.”
Gerry Geist, Executive Director of Association of Towns of the State of New York: “As a former town supervisor and dedicated public servant, Assemblyman Pete Lopez has consistently found a way to help people by tackling difficult issues and looking for innovative solutions. We look forward to working with Mr. Lopez in his new role as EPA Region II Administrator to help town officials fund and maintain local water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure.”   
Bob Martin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner: “Congratulations to New York Assemblyman Pete Lopez on being named EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator. Assemblyman Lopez has an impressive background in public service and I congratulate Administrator Pruitt on naming someone with the Assemblyman’s record of accomplishment and leadership to this important post. I have had the chance to talk with Assemblyman Lopez and found that he has a strong commitment to protecting the environment, and especially, to working closely with the states and territories within his region. I am looking forward to working with him and the staff of dedicated professionals in EPA Region 2 as we continue to pursue our shared mission of protecting New Jersey’s environment.”
Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York: “We congratulate Assemblyman Pete Lopez on this important U.S. EPA appointment. New York has a long-standing and bipartisan tradition of environmental and clean energy leadership, and as a New Yorker, Assemblyman Lopez has experienced first-hand the impacts of severe storms and climate change. We look forward to working with Mr. Lopez as he continues this tradition, uses his well-respected skills at facilitation and problem-solving, and works to protects the air, water, and land of EPA Region 2.”

Council Announces Intention to Vote on Final 2017 Funded Priorities List

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) announces the intention to vote no sooner than October 5, 2017, on the approval of the Final 2017 Funded Priorities List: Comprehensive Commitment and Planning Support (2017 CPS FPL) in accordance with the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). In approving the 2017 CPS FPL, the Council would provide funding to its members to enhance collaboration, coordination, public engagement and use of best available science needed to make efficient use of Gulf restoration funds resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These funding awards would support the Council’s commitment to a coordinated approach to ecosystem restoration, as called for in the Comprehensive Plan Update 2016: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy. The draft 2017 CPS FPL was available for public review and comment from July 13 - August 14, 2017. During this time, the Council accepted public comments on the draft 2017 CPS FPL online, via email and US mail. As part of finalizing the 2017 CPS FPL, the Council considered all public comments, and developed the Draft 2017 Funded Priorities List: Comprehensive Plan Commitment and Planning Support Response to Public to Public Comments document (2017 CPS FPL Response to Public Comments). The Council invites the public to review the Final 2017 CPS FPL and 2017 CPS FPL Response to Public Comments.

FSU researchers receive $2.8M to study fate of BP Oil spill

A team of research institutions led by Florida State University has been awarded a $2.8 million grant to expand our understanding of how the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico.
Eric Chassignet, director of FSU’s Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Studies (COAPS), will lead the team of scientists who will use the grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative to study the role that microbes play in determining the fate of oil and its impact on marine ecosystems.
“The Consortium for Simulation of Oil-Microbial Interactions in the Ocean is an interdisciplinary group consisting of experts in physical oceanography, ecology, biology, chemistry and marine sediments,” Chassignet said. “Our work will investigate how microbes influence the biodegradation and accumulation of petroleum in the water column and marine sediments of the deep ocean and shelf.”
When the 2010 spill occurred, an estimated 200 million gallons of oil flowed into the Gulf of Mexico from a damaged well below the Deepwater Horizon platform. Scientists and first responders scrambled to predict where the released oil would go and how it would affect the circulation, ecology and biogeochemistry of the Gulf.
Florida State University has been at the forefront of this work, diligently studying the area to understand the Gulf of Mexico circulation, ecology, and biogeochemistry, and how the spill affected marine life.
The team of research institutions includes HR Wallingford, Texas A&M University, the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Scientists from the six institutions will use recent model developments and results from field- and laboratory-based microbial and sediment studies to develop simulations to investigate the impacts of potential future oil spills under different scenarios and conditions (temperatures, oxygen levels, particulate matters and transport).
“It is critical to have the ability to predict the eventual fate of oil and its impact on ecosystems because toxic oil constituents pose unknown threats to organisms, many of which are harvested in the Gulf for human consumption. There’s also a greater likelihood of large spills in the future due to oil and gas extraction activities taking place over the shelf and increasingly in deep water,” Chassignet said.
In addition to Chassignet, several other FSU researchers will participate in the study including Steve Morey, COAPS senior scientist, who will serve as the scientific director of the project; Assistant Professors of Oceanography Olivia Mason and Mike Stukel; Associate Research Scientist Dmitry Dukhovskoy; and Tracy Ippolito, the consortium’s program and outreach coordinator.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

News Clippings September 28, 2017



State

DeSoto makes big push for recycling
DeSoto Times-Tribune

DeSoto County officials are making a major push for residents in unincorporated areas to sign up for curbside recycling, which is being offered to rural residents for the first time in the county's history.

Threefoot developer: work could start in 30 days
Meridian Star

Work on the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at the Threefoot Building in Meridian could begin in about 30 days.
...In an interview last month, Tray Hairston of Butler Snow LLP, who represents Ascent, said the renovation could cost “a little bit more than [$22 million]” given certain “environmental” issues that need to be addressed. At the time of the report, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was in the process of testing samples taken from the building.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION FIELD DAY
WXXV

This morning a group of lucky fourth grade students ditched their desks for the day to take part in the Conservation Education Field Day at the Harrison County Farm.

WHAT SCIENTISTS ARE DOING TO RESTORE OUR SEA LIFE ON THE COAST
WXXV

The amount of sea-life found dead on the Coast this year is concerning marine experts.

Oil Spill

Gulfport, Mississippi, Bets on Octopus's Garden to Boost Economy
Bloomberg

Gulfport, Mississippi, is hoping that alligators, river otters, dolphins and stingrays hold the key to revitalizing the economy of the second-largest city in the state.

Regional

Why is Louisiana's coast shrinking so quickly?
Times-Picayune

As this video documents, there are many causes of land loss along Louisiana's coast, starting with the construction of levees along the Mississippi River that block the historic dispersal of sediment carried by the river during spring floods into open water and wetlands.

More Mississippi River sediment will mean more problems for Louisiana shrimpers: study
Times-Picayune

Louisiana's quintessential shrimper - the independent, weather-beaten man with a small boat that's seen better days - may be the hardest hit by two sediment diversions planned on the Mississippi River. 

National

Trump Wants to Repeal Obama’s Climate Plan. The Next Fight: Its Replacement.
NY Times

WASHINGTON — President Trump failed again this week to fulfill his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature health plan. Now he is taking aim at Mr. Obama’s central environmental legacy, the Clean Power Plan.


Industry gains clout within Pruitt’s EPA
The Hill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken an industry-friendly turn under the Trump administration.

E.P.A. Threatens to Stop Funding Justice Dept. Environmental Work
NY Times

WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator who has aggressively pushed to dismantle regulations and downsize the organization, is threatening to reach outside his agency and undermine the Justice Department’s work enforcing antipollution laws, documents and interviews show.

Maryland sues EPA over upwind air pollution
The Hill

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh (D) sued the Trump administration Wednesday to try to force it to take action against out-of-state power plants for their air pollution.

U.S. and Mexico may be at odds, but they've reached agreement on managing the Colorado River
LA Times

The United States and Mexico expanded a long-term agreement Wednesday that will allow both nations to continue using the Colorado River while also pushing more conservation efforts to ensure that water is available during droughts.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

News Clippings September 27, 2017



State

Falling water levels raise concerns
Greenwood Commonwealth
 
Water levels are declining in the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer, and environmental scientists and concerned agencies are working together to investigate and mitigate the problem.


Diamondhead is first city in Hancock County to offer residents curbside recycling
Sea Coast Echo

During a meeting of the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority today, officials approved a contract with Team Waste to provide curbside recycling for Diamondhead, making this city the first in the county to offer the service with no additional fees to residents. 

Jackson council approves new Public Works Director
WJTV

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The City of Jackson has a new Public Works Director. City council members voted 6-1 on Mayor Chokwe Lumumba’s nominee, Robery Miller.

Friends of Boley to cut a clear path down Hobolochitto Saturday
Picayune Item

Pearl River County residents are invited to participate in a back to basics cleanup event by the Friends of Boley. 

Water concern problems revisited: Major changes made
WTOK

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss (WTOK) - What a difference a few years and a lot of work have made. Four years ago some Newscenter 11 viewers shared with us their concerns about the quality of their water. It was described as "brown, rusty," or just plain "dirty".

MSU project brings clean water to 7,000 Zambians
Commercial Dispatch
 
For the past five years, Dennis Truax has been taking students to a small province in the southern African county of Zambia each summer to drill and assemble water wells. 

Gov. Bryant gets second stint chairing energy board
Clarion Ledger

Gov. Phil Bryant has been named to a second term as chairman of the Southern States Energy Board.


Oil Spill

Coastal restoration industry to grow in Louisiana
Daily Comet

Coastal advocates say Louisiana’s coastal master plan combined with the reparations from the BP oil spill will help expand the coastal restoration and water management industries in the state and create thousands of jobs over the next decade.

National

EPA spending almost $25,000 to install a secure phone booth for Scott Pruitt
Washington Post

The Environmental Protection Agency is spending nearly $25,000 to construct a secure, soundproof communications booth in the office of Administrator Scott Pruitt, according to government contracting records.

Bass Pro completes $4 billion acquisition of Cabela's
AP

OMAHA, Neb. — Bass Pro Shops' roughly $4 billion acquisition of rival outdoor retailer Cabela's is complete, but the small western Nebraska town that has been home to Cabela's is still wondering about its future.

Opinion

Memphis aquifer belongs to the public, not TVA
Amanda Garcia and Scott Banbury, Guest columnists
Commercial Appeal

The Tennessee Valley Authority is considering a proposal that would allow it to install groundwater withdrawal wells without getting public input or conducting public environmental reviews.

Press Releases

Grand Bay NERR hosts National Estuaries Day
 
MOSS POINT, Miss. – The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will celebrate National Estuaries Day on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Reserve.
Participants will be able to explore the Reserve by boat and learn how scientists conduct research in the field and use that information to protect estuaries and other coastal habitats. Boat rides will be from 8 a.m. until noon.
The Coastal Resources Center at the NERR will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., those who attend will see interactive displays and exhibits from other organizations. Lunch will be provided by Chevron to the first 200 people to arrive.
Anyone interested in a boat ride must make a reservation. The NERR will provide life jackets, but parents must bring appropriately sized life jackets for infants. Those taking a boat tour should wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks sunscreen, bug spray and bottled water. They also may want to bring binoculars and cameras.
To make a reservation, call 228-475-7047 or email avery.sward@dmr.ms.gov.
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.
The Grand Bay NERR is managed through a state-federal partnership between the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


MDWFP Black Bear Camera Survey

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is currently conducting a 6,000-acre camera survey in the Mississippi Delta to estimate the number of black bears on the property.
In the past, bait station camera surveys have proved to be ineffective in gathering accurate information for bears. With various wildlife species visiting the sites, the bait is only effective while it remains. Once all the bait is gone, there is no reason for a bear to visit the site. We are using a scented lure that will remain in place for a longer period and remains effective throughout each interval of when the cameras are checked roughly every 10 days. 
These camera stations will be run for 6-8 weeks and at the conclusion of the survey, the results will be used in a mathematical model to give us an estimate of the number of bears in the survey area. If successful, this method will be implemented in other areas of the state known to have bears as we move forward in determining a scientifically based estimate of the black bear population in Mississippi.


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced two federal grants worth $1.08 million to help lower the rate of commercial truck-related accidents and fatalities in Mississippi.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approved the grants for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to ensure drivers are licensed and qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in Mississippi.
“Ensuring that truckers are licensed and qualified to operate large vehicles on our highways is an important public safety issue. These grants will allow the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to improve road safety by seeing that standards are met,” Cochran said.
FMCSA is providing $588,748 to support state compliance with commercial driver’s license standards, including uploading conviction data, ensuring system compatibility, and monitoring commercial driver’s license (CDL) examiners.
Another $499,844 has been awarded to help decrease CMV crashes in Mississippi by enforcing CDL standards, requirements and penalties—including a no-tolerance policy for speeding, cellphone use, texting, aggressive driving, and other acts that contribute to traffic accidents. The Department will also collaborate with the Mississippi Trucking Association and trucking companies statewide.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has set a goal to decrease CMV crashes in the high-crash corridor areas by 5 percent, statewide CMV large truck fatalities by 5 percent, CMV heavy truck rollover fatalities statewide by 25 percent, and maintain Hazardous Materials CMV fatalities at zero.
###

Hurricane Maria expected to alter North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland Beaches

Release Date: SEPTEMBER 26, 2017To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Maria, visit the USGS Hurricane Maria page at https://www.usgs.gov/maria.

About two-thirds of beaches from North Carolina to Maryland have a high probability of eroding as Hurricane Maria moves up the coast, according to the latest U.S. Geological Survey coastal change forecast. Approximately 15 percent of that same shoreline has a high probability of experiencing overwash, where surge and waves overtop dunes.
While the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico is not currently forecast to make landfall on the east coast, high winds and large waves generated by the storm have the potential to affect the coast.
As of Tuesday morning, the USGS coastal change forecast showed:
  • Approximately 60 percent of North Carolina dunes are expected to be impacted by dune erosion, with 5 percent of that stretch of coastline expected to experience overwash.
  • Two thirds of Virginia beaches north of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay are likely to erode while one-third are likely to be overwashed.
  • Elevated water levels are also likely to reach and erode sand dunes along two thirds of the Maryland coastline with less than 5 percent of the coastal dunes being overwashed.
Many factors are taken into account l when trying to forecast what a storm like Maria might do to the coast, such as differences in the waves that reach the coast and the elevation of the sand dunes in the areas affected.
“Although Hurricane Maria’s strength has diminished, its strong winds will still generate large waves that will travel to a stretch of the coastline from North Carolina to Maryland's eastern shore,” said Joseph Long, USGS research oceanographer and one of the lead developers of a series of coastal change forecasting tools. “As the storm moves north, those large waves are expected to erode and in some cases overwash sandy beaches and dunes that serve as protection for coastal communities.”
This USGS Coastal Change Forecast model uses the National Hurricane Center’s storm surge predictions and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wave forecast models as input. The USGS model adds information about the beach slope and dune height to predict how high waves and surge will move up the beach and whether the protective dunes will be eroded of overtopped. Results of the modeling indicate Hurricane Maria could have a significant impact on the beaches and dunes along portions of the U.S. east coast.
As waves and surge reach the base of sand dunes that line many coastal areas, they begin to erode and narrow the dune. In some locations water levels may reach higher than the top of the dune and a process known as overwash occurs, often transporting large amounts of sand across coastal environments, depositing sand inland and causing significant changes to the landscape.
Inundation, the most severe type of coastal impact, occurs when beaches and dunes are completely and continuously submerged by surge. The models currently show that very few beaches are expected to be inundated by Hurricane Maria.
The most up-to-date forecasts for potential coastal change predictions are available on the Coastal Change Hazards Portal page, which is easily accessible to the public. The coastal change forecast can be used by emergency managers to help identify locations where coastal impacts might be the most severe, such as where roads will be overwashed by sand or where it's possible that roads might go underwater because of storm surge and large waves.