Oil Spill
BP oil spill restoration adds $83 million in projects. See if you’ll benefit.
Sun Herald
BILOXI
The latest summit was Tuesday, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality announced 19 new projects for BP and Deepwater Horizon oil spill money.
RESTORATION SUMMIT IN BILOXI
WXXV
Mississippi is still recovering from the heavy hit it took after the BP oil spill in 2010. That is one of the reasons why the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality hosts the annual Mississippi Restoration Summit.
Salvation Army’s Center of Hope project moving forward
WLOX
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope project is moving forward.
Gov. Ivey announces $33 million for restoration and conservation projects in Alabama
WPMI
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WPMI) — Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has approved more than $33.5 million for five new projects and amendments to two existing projects which focus on the restoration and conservation of Alabama’s natural resources.
State
Debris from bulldozed home dumped in the middle of a neighborhood
WLBT
Workers for a private company bulldozed a house just off Fortification Street, pushed it all the way through a vacant lot and dumped it in the middle of a neighborhood.
Gulfport councilman urges more people to recycle
WLOX
Gulfport residents are expressing confusion after the city-wide roll out of a new recycling plan.
MGCCC students research ecological benefits of recycling oysters
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -A group of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students presented their research on how oysters are good for more than seafood.
City eyes meter upgrades, pump station repairs
Daily Journal
TUPELO – The city of Tupelo’s water and power utility is moving closer toward an estimated $15.5 million plan to install an automated meter reading system that will increase accuracy.
Regional
Study finds contamination in Memphis Sands Aquifer
WMC
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -A new report found one of Memphis' most precious resources, water, was contaminated.
Marsh loss turning native Louisiana ducks into common mallards
Times-Picayune
The mottled duck is looking for love in all the wrong places.
Emails reveal Duke edited scientific reports on coal ash, coordinated with advisory board chair
WBTV
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -Emails and documents obtained by WBTV show senior officials at Duke Energy edited reports prepared by at least one professor hired by the company to prepare independent scientific reports related to the impact of coal ash ponds on groundwater.
National
Tested EPA Air Chief to Advance Trump Rollbacks
Bloomberg
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt may have just received the most important tool to implement his rollback agenda: the EPA’s new air chief Bill Wehrum.
African-Americans Face More Pollution-Related Health Hazards, New Report Shows
African-Americans face a disproportionate risk of pollution-related health problems caused by the location of oil and gas refineries, according to a new study.
NBC
WASHINGTON — African-Americans face a disproportionate risk of pollution-related health problems caused by the location of oil and gas refineries, according to a new study released Tuesday.
Air pollution is a bigger risk for people with A, B, or AB blood types, study finds
The Telegraph
People with type A, B, or AB blood have a greater chance of suffering a heart attack or chest pain during episodes of high air pollution compared to those with type O, scientists have found.
If the U.S. went vegan, emissions would drop. But there’s a catch, a new study says
McClatchy
If the entire United States went vegan, it could be great for the environment. But it’s a lot more complicated than advocates for an all-vegan country might hope, a new study found.
Trump administration seeks to delay findings on pesticides
AP
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump's administration is seeking a two-year delay of an upcoming deadline to determine whether a family of widely used pesticides is harmful to endangered species.
U.S. Steel dumps more toxic chromium near Lake Michigan, faces lawsuit
Chicago Tribune
Six months after U.S. Steel dumped a plume of toxic metal into a Lake Michigan tributary, the company quietly reported another spill at the same northwest Indiana plant and asked state environmental regulators to keep it secret, according to newly released documents.
House Votes to Overhaul Flood-Insurance Program
Measure would renew program for five years; Senate may not act until next year
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The House on Tuesday voted largely along party lines to revamp the federal flood-insurance program, which expires in December and has struggled in recent years to keep pace with record disaster payouts.
For Some Native Americans, Uranium Contamination Feels Like Discrimination
NPR
Helen Nez had 10 children. Now she only has three.
Seven of her children died of a disorder called Navajo neuropathy, which is linked to uranium contamination.
Opinion
Do States Have a Role in Making Climate Policy?
Proponents say state action is needed to offset the effects of federal policy reversals. Critics say it won’t be effective—and is an overreach.
WSJ
When scientists from 13 U.S. federal agencies issued a report on climate change earlier this month that drew a direct connection between human activity and global warming, it was a reminder of the turmoil that has surrounded environmental issues since President Donald Trump took office.
Press Releases
More Than $100 Million Approved for Restoration Projects on the Gulf Coast
NFWF Announces Fifth Round of Grants from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 14, 2017) - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced the award of more than $101.5 million from its Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) to 19 projects and several amendments to previously announced projects in the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The projects, developed in consultation with state and federal resource agencies, are designed to remedy harm and reduce the risk of future harm to natural resources that were affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Today’s announcement represents the fifth round of awards from the payments received thus far by the GEBF. To date, the fund has received $1.65 billion. With today’s announcement, NFWF has awarded nearly $1 billion, or more than 50 percent of available funds. Included in the 2017 project slate are additional awards to existing projects that address important unanticipated needs, as well as awards to significant new projects, many of which build on earlier planning, engineering and design investments.
“The awards we announce today represent our fifth round of obligations from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, and include important investments to protect and restore species and habitats impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “Investments made under the GEBF continue to protect and enhance critical coastal habitats, while bolstering populations of Gulf Coast birds, marine mammals and sea turtles, and other fish and wildlife species affected by the oil spill.”
NFWF created the GEBF in 2013 to receive and administer funds resulting from remedial orders in the plea agreements between the U.S. Department of Justice and BP and Transocean. The plea agreements resolved certain criminal charges against both companies relating to the 2010 oil spill. Provisions within the agreements direct a total of $2.54 billion to NFWF over a five-year period to be used to support natural resource projects in the Gulf States.
As required under the plea agreements, NFWF consulted with state resource agencies, as well as with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to identify potential project priorities and funding needs. The discussions ensured coordination between NFWF’s GEBF and the agencies’ related activities under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and RESTORE Act programs.
The GEBF projects announced today will complement those previously announced or currently under consideration by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and RESTORE Act programs. Collectively, and where appropriate, these efforts are being coordinated and leveraged to advance large-scale Gulf Coast conservation outcomes and maximize sustainable environmental benefits.
For additional information on state-specific projects, please see below.
Alabama
The NFWF Board of Directors approved the award of more than $33.5 million for five new projects and amendments to two existing projects in the state of Alabama. The Alabama projects address high-priority conservation needs, including the acquisition and restoration of significant coastal habitats in key focal areas, and assessments to inform future GEBF awards. Additional information on GEBF projects in Alabama can be found here. The number of awards from the GEBF in the state of Alabama now stands at 24, with a total value of more than $148 million. All projects were selected for funding following extensive consultation with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, FWS and NOAA.
Florida
The NFWF Board of Directors approved the award of more than $11.6 million for one new project and amendments to three existing projects in the state of Florida. The Florida projects address high-priority restoration and conservation needs; including the fifth and final year of fisheries assessment, and additional funding to enhance previous awards benefitting coastal dune lake restoration, sea turtles and marine mammals stranding response and analysis. Additional information on GEBF projects in Florida can be found here. The number of awards from the GEBF in the state of Florida now stands at 26, with a total value of more than $110 million. All projects were selected for funding following extensive consultation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FWS and NOAA.
Louisiana
The NFWF Board of Directors approved the award of $2.2 million to amend one existing project in the state of Louisiana. The new funding will allow for additional data collection and surveys needed to update the preferred restoration design and further advance permitting for the restoration of East Timbalier Island. Additional information on Louisiana projects can be found here. To date, NFWF has awarded more than $467 million to 12 projects in the state of Louisiana. The amendment was selected for funding following consultation with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, FWS and NOAA.
Mississippi
The NFWF Board of Directors approved the award of more than $39.3 million for three new projects and an amendment to one existing project in the state of Mississippi. The Mississippi projects address high-priority conservation needs, including Phase II for both the beneficial use of dredge material and reef fish assessment projects, acquisition of important priority habitats in the lower Pascagoula River, and restoration planning. Additional information on GEBF projects in Mississippi can be found here. The total number of awards from the GEBF in the state of Mississippi now stands at 18, with a total value of nearly $140 million. All projects were selected for funding following extensive consultation with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, FWS and NOAA.
Texas
The NFWF Board of Directors approved the award of nearly $15 million for 10 new projects and amendments to two existing projects. The Texas projects address high-priority conservation needs, including the acquisition and restoration of significant coastal habitats, enhancement of waterbird and beach nesting bird habitats, and several high-priority investments to address environmental damage related to Hurricane Harvey. Additional information on GEBF projects in Texas can be found here. The total number of awards from the GEBF in the state of Texas now stands at 41, with a total value of more than $108 million. All projects were selected for funding following extensive consultation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas General Lands Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, FWS and NOAA.
Consider Winter Drawdowns for Pond Management
11/13/2017 2:21:27 PM
From MDWFP
One of the most useful and inexpensive pond management practices is called a "winter drawdown." Water levels are reduced in a pond to some predetermined level, generally exposing 35 to 50 percent of the pond-bottom area. Winter drawdowns can be useful in controlling aquatic weeds and can help manipulate fish populations. They are also useful when repairing piers and docks or, redesigning, and liming ponds.
In most farm ponds, lowering the water level 2 to 4 feet usually exposes the proper percentage of the pond bottom. You must consider the topography of the pond, amount of shallow water, and pond shape and design. Reach the maximum depth of drawdown by late November, and let the water remain down through February. In south Mississippi, the stand pipe can be raised a little earlier, perhaps mid-February, to let the pond refill and not hamper bass spawning activities that begin earlier in that part of the state.
To perform a winter drawdown, make sure the pond has a drain pipe that lets the water levels be lowered and kept down throughout the winter. Ponds without a drainpipe can be retrofitted; detailed information on how to do this is available through your county's Natural Resources Conservation Service office.
