State
New Mississippi center will focus on Delta water issues
Delta Farm Press
The money’s now in the bank for a new Delta regional water center, to be located at Stoneville, Miss. The multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional facility will be jointly operated by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Mississippi State University, and will focus on water issues specific to the Delta region.
New Mississippi rule on oysters not based on science, Vietnamese group says in lawsuit
Sun Herald
BILOXI
A lawsuit alleges the state’s ban on basket dredges for harvesting oysters was illegally based on “personal opinion and conjecture” and erodes the livelihood of Vietnamese American fishers.
Emergency sewer repairs approved by Jackson City Council
WLBT
The Jackson City Council is taking action to address sewer breaks in the city.
It's good news for some Jackson residents dealing with infrastructure failures.
Board votes to provide garbage cans to county residents
Sea Coast Echo
Residents in unincorporated Hancock will soon be provided with new garbage cans as part of the county's solid waste contract with Team Waste.
5 companies submit bids for Harrison Co. beach project
WLOX
We now know five companies want to help Harrison County replenish its beach. The county's sand beach department just opened the five bids for the estimated $3 million project.
Hattiesburg announces legal action against Stion Corporation
WDAM
The City of Hattiesburg will be taking legal action against the Stion Corporation after the company announced it would be closing its plant next month.
Mississippi Power awards 2017 Environmental Education Grants
WDAM
Mississippi Power announced the more than 40 teachers from across the company's service territory that will receive 2017 Environmental Education Grants.
Regulators nix Mississippi Power push to exclude testimony
AP
Regulators have again denied a request by Mississippi Power Co. to narrow proceedings over how much customers should pay for a power plant.
Oil Spill
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST DOLPHIN TANK IN GULFPORT
WXXV
Concerned citizens are speaking out against the plans for a dolphin tank at the new Gulfport aquarium set to open in 2019.
List of projects submitted to TRIUMPH board for BP oil spill money
WJHG
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The TRIUMPH Gulf Coast board, which awards money for those affected by the BP oil spill, is asking county officials to submit a list of projects they believe should receive TRIUMPH funding.
Regional
Could bombing Louisiana's coast with seeds save it?
Times-Picayune
PORT FOURCHON - A crop duster airplane took aim at Sarah Mack's little boat bobbing on the edge of a salt marsh. Swooping low, it began dropping thousands of little green pods.
National
Exclusive: EPA's Pruitt vows to continue rolling back rules despite alarming climate report
USA Today
WASHINGTON — EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said a newly released government report that lays most of the blame for the rise of global temperatures to human activity won't deter him from continuing to roll back the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, a major rule aimed at combating climate change.
Supporters of DOE coal rule haven’t proven their case, energy groups say
The Hill
A coalition of 20 energy groups and companies argued Tuesday that the supporters of Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s proposal to prop up coal and nuclear plants haven’t proven the need for the regulation.
Press Releases
Secretary Zinke announces Creation of the “Made in America” Recreation Advisory Committee
11/7/2017
Last edited 11/7/2017
Date: November 7, 2017
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the establishment of the “Made in America” Recreation Advisory Committee. The Committee will advise the Secretary of the Interior on public-private partnerships across all public lands, with the goal of expanding access to and improving infrastructure on public lands and waterways.
“The spirit of American innovation and ingenuity is what built our country, and the Interior Department wants that same spirit and energy to resonate within the realm of outdoor recreation on our public lands,” said Secretary Zinke. “By forming this committee, I look forward to hearing from the best and the brightest in our private sector on how to improve the public experience on our federal lands and waters by expanding access for all Americans. We already have thousands of private partners who operate on federal lands. Whether it's the iconic Jammers in Glacier National Park, the historic El Tovar lodge at the Grand Canyon, or the kayaks that you can rent on the Potomac River, American workers are at the heart of helping American families experience our great outdoors.”
The members of the Committee will be selected for their diverse backgrounds and their experiences with the recreational industry. Prospective members will have knowledge utilizing public-private partnerships, providing recreational visitor experiences, developing and deploying infrastructure improvements, or a thorough understanding of recreational equipment.
"America's abundance and beauty is something to be both preserved and admired," said Representative Dennis A. Ross. "As an RV enthusiast, I have been able to experience firsthand the glorious landscape of our great nation, and am thankful for those American entrepreneurs and innovators who think of new ways to experience what our country has to offer. I hope that with their guidance, more Americans will be able to witness the vast bounty of our land, from sea to shining sea."
“Northern Indiana is the RV Capital of the World, so Hoosiers know outdoor recreation plays a critical role in growing our nation's economy and creating American manufacturing jobs," said Representative Jackie Walorski. "I'm pleased Secretary Zinke is launching the "Made in America" Recreation Advisory Committee to help achieve the important goals of increasing access to our nation's public lands, boosting investment in outdoor tourism, and building more American-made products like RVs and boats.”
The duties of the Committee are strictly advisory and will consist of, but not be limited to, providing recommendations including:
Policies and programs that:
- Expand and improve visitor infrastructure developed through public-private partnerships;
- Implement sustainable operations embracing fair, efficient and convenient fee collection and strategic use of the collected fees;
- Improve interpretation using technology;
- Create better tools and/or opportunities for Americans to discover their lands and waters.
You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the following methods:
- Mail or hand-carry nominations to Teri Austin, Associate Director for Business Services, National Park Service, Office of Business Services, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 2717, Washington, DC 20240; or email nominations to: teresa_austin@nps.gov
The Committee will meet approximately two times annually, and at such time as designated by the Designated Federal Officer. The Committee will terminate two years from the date the Charter is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
The Committee will not meet or take any action without a valid current Charter. The Committee is established by authority of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 100906, and is regulated by the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Expands Hunting and Fishing Opportunities at 10 National Wildlife Refuges
November 7, 2017
Contact(s):
Vanessa Kauffman
703-358-2138
In a continuing effort to increase access to hunting and fishing on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule to open or expand opportunities across 132,000 acres on 10 national wildlife refuges. This will bring the number of refuges where the public may hunt up to 373 and up to 311 where fishing is permitted. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $156.3 billion in economic activity across the United States according to the Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years. More than 101.6 million Americans – 40 percent of the U.S. population 16 and older – pursue wildlife-related recreation. The final rule opens more than 60,000 acres of Refuge System lands for hunting species not previously authorized in these areas. “The nation’s sportsmen and women lead the conservation of wildlife and their habitats throughout our nation. They are passionate about the outdoors and are committed to sustainably managing these resources for all Americans to enjoy. Refuges provide all Americans with places to hunt, fish, observe the natural world firsthand and experience the great outdoors,” said Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan. “We are pleased to be able to offer hunting and fishing opportunities and other recreational activities where they are compatible with national wildlife refuge management goals.”
Hunting and/or fishing will expand or be opened on the following refuges:
Georgia and South Carolina
- Savannah National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing.
Indiana
- Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing.
Minnesota
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing.
North Dakota
- Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge: Open moose hunting for the first time. The refuge is already open to upland game and other big game hunting.
- Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge: Open moose and turkey hunting for the first time. Expand upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to upland game hunting, other big game hunting, and sport fishing.
Oklahoma
- Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge: Expand upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting, and sport fishing.
Oregon
Wisconsin
More than 50 million Americans visit refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and hiking to nature watching, photography and environmental education. In doing so, they support regional economies to the tune of $2.4 billion per year and support more than 35,000 jobs. The unparalleled network of 566 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts means that there is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, when they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is currently permitted on 336 wildlife refuges and 37 wetland management districts. Fishing is currently permitted on 277 wildlife refuges and 34 wetland management districts. The final rule will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register on November 8, 2017.
