State
Marine Education Center opens in Ocean Springs
WLOX
The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory held ribbon cutting ceremonies today for the $16.1 million Marine Education Center in Ocean Springs.
Saltillo recycling project awarded grant
Daily Journal
SALTILLO – The Saltillo Main Street Association's recycling efforts will soon have another $1,000, thanks to an Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant.
State Government
Governor appoints new circuit judge for Hinds County
AP
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed a new circuit judge for Mississippi's largest county.
Joseph Anthony Sclafani of Clinton becomes a judge April 23. He will succeed Judge William A. Gowan Jr., who retired March 31.
Oil Spill
Improvements coming to Perch Creek impact water quality
WKRG
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) - The new Perch Creek Nature Trail and Preserve gives Mobilians new access to the Bay. The new trail is just off of Dauphin Island Parkway, but you won't be able to see it too well from dry land.
Regional
Kids are suing Gov. Rick Scott to force Florida to take action on climate change
Miami Herald
Florida Gov. Rick Scott doesn't talk about climate change.
UF professor wins Pulitzer in history
Gainesville Sun
History professor Jack Davis won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in history for his book “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea.”
National
Smaller Bites in EPA Air Chief’s Second Pass at Permitting Update
Bloomberg
William Wehrum has unfinished business with the EPA’s air pollution permitting program for factories and power plants that want to expand or make major upgrades to their facilities.
BP commits to “zero net emissions growth”
Houston Chronicle
BP said Monday that it will hold greenhouse gas emissions from its operations at or below its 2015 levels in the years ahead as the world’s biggest oil companies prepare for a lower carbon future that could threaten their businesses.
Press Releases
Mississippi Phosphates Corporation Site Among Updated List of Superfund Sites Targeted for Immediate, Intense Action by Administrator Pruitt
$71 Million Cleanup Advancing at Pascagoula, Miss., Site Since Being Added to the Administrator’s Emphasis List
04/16/2018
ATLANTA (April 16, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated Administrator’s Emphasis List of Superfund sites targeted for immediate and intense attention. The former Mississippi Phosphates Corporation (MPC) Site in Pascagoula, Miss., remains on the list. Much progress has been made at the MPC Site since it was added to the Administrator’s original Emphasis List. EPA formally added the MPC Site to the Superfund National Priorities List and proposed a $71 million cleanup plan for portions of the MPC Site in January 2018.
“We are making tremendous progress expediting sites through the entire Superfund remediation process,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “The updated Emphasis List reflects our commitment to addressing Superfund sites as quickly and safely as possible.”
In elevating EPA’s focus on the Superfund program, Administrator Pruitt has been at the helm of efforts to streamline and improve the program, and accelerate the cleanup and reuse of America’s most contaminated sites. Administrator Pruitt has visited both the Anaconda Copper Mine and San Jacinto River Waste Pits as part of his effort to ensure timely decisions for cleanup of the sites to protect the health and environment of surrounding communities. The updated Administrator’s Emphasis List, like the initial emphasis list, identifies Superfund sites that will benefit from Administrator Pruitt’s direct engagement. The emphasis list is intended to be dynamic. Sites will move on and off the list as appropriate. At times, there may be more or fewer sites based on where the Administrator’s attention and focus is most needed. The MPC Site is a former diammonium phosphate fertilizer plant that began operation in the 1950s. The facility ceased operations in December 2014 under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leaving more than 700,000,000 gallons of acidic, nutrient-rich wastewater stored at the facility. This wastewater—if improperly discharged—may be toxic to fish and other forms of marine life, and can also cause algal blooms.
On Feb. 11, 2017, EPA assumed control of wastewater treatment operations at the former MPC fertilizer facility once the MPC Environmental Trust, which owns the property, ran out of funds. EPA is overseeing wastewater treatment at a rate of approximately 2-4 million gallons per day—at a cost of approximately $1 million per month—due to the high volume of wastewater generated that requires treatment. The initial cleanup is expected to cost $71 million and will be implemented over three years (2018 to 2020). EPA is currently evaluating the public comments received on the plan and expects to soon sign an action memorandum to move the cleanup forward.
Background
EPA remains dedicated to addressing risks at all Superfund sites, not just those on the emphasis list. The Task Force Recommendations are aimed at expediting cleanup at all Superfund sites and Administrator Pruitt has set the expectation that there will be a renewed focus on accelerating work and progress at Superfund sites across the country.
The Task Force, whose work is ongoing, has five overarching goals:
· Expediting cleanup and remediation;
· Reinvigorating cleanup and reuse efforts by potentially responsible parties;
· Encouraging private investment to facilitate cleanup and reuse;
· Promoting redevelopment and community revitalization; and
· Engaging with partners and stakeholders.
The Task Force will provide the public with regular updates as it makes progress on the Administrator’s Emphasis list and other Task Force activities
The updated Administrator’s Emphasis List can be found here.
EPA Announces Appointment of Ben Scaggs as Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
04/16/2018
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of Ben Scaggs as the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council). Mr. Scaggs will oversee the RESTORE Council, which is responsible for restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast. The Council is comprised of the Governors of the five Gulf Coast States and Cabinet-level officials from six federal agencies.
“Ben Scaggs will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the RESTORE Council,” said EPA Administrator Scott Priutt, who is chairperson of the Council. “His personal connection to the region and close working relationship with states, businesses, and community leaders will be a great asset to the Council.”
A native of Mississippi, Ben Scaggs previously served as Director of EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program, whose mission is to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico and the communities that rely on this national resource. The Gulf of Mexico Program brings together state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.
“We are excited to have Ben as Executive Director for the RESTORE Council and we know his appointment will allow the Council to move ahead quickly with planning for the next Funded Priorities List and the Ten Year Funding Strategy, both of which are of critically important to protecting and restoring Louisiana’s coast,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
“We’re pleased that Ben Scaggs has been selected as the Executive Director of the RESTORE Council,” said Executive Director of Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Gary Rikard. “Ben has lived and worked in the Gulf Coast region for many years, and he is keenly aware of the issues we have confronted. Even more so, he recognizes the potential of the restoration process to make the Gulf Region an even better place than it already is. We value Ben’s experience and commitment and look forward to working with him.”
“Through both his strong leadership of the Gulf of Mexico Program and his tireless efforts assisting with the work of this Council, Ben has consistently demonstrated his willingness and ability to work with diverse federal, state and local interests to achieve common goals,” said Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Chris Blankenship. “Alabama is confident that Ben’s previous experience uniquely positions him to immediately advance Council Member efforts to achieve our shared goal of restoring Gulf Coast communities. We were excited to support Ben’s appointment and look forward to working with him as the new Executive Director.”
“Our coastal resources are vital to Florida’s communities, environment and economy, and DEP’s staff works tirelessly to protect them,” said Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the RESTORE Council, with the leadership of Ben to achieve important restoration projects throughout the Gulf coast.”
“Ben brings a wealth of coastal restoration experience and knowledge to this position, and he has been a consistent voice on the RESTORE Council over the years,” said Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Toby Baker. “I am very excited to have his leadership on the Council for the important years to come.”
Prior to his current roles, Mr. Scaggs served as EPA’s Associate Deputy Administrator in Washington, D.C., from 2015-2016. In that role he oversaw a wide range of Agency management and leadership functions in support of EPA’s mission of protecting public health and the environment.
During his 25 years at EPA, Mr. Scaggs has served as the Director of the Office of Administration and Resource Management at EPA’s Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, location, and has also worked in the Office of Air and Radiation and in EPA’s Region 4 office in Atlanta. He came to EPA in 1991 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mr. Scaggs holds degrees in International Studies and Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Background
The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) established the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) and the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (Trust Fund), and dedicates 80 percent of Clean Water Act penalties resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the Trust Fund, for restoration projects in the Gulf Coast region.
The Council is responsible for administering 60 percent of the total funding allocated from the Trust Fund: 30 percent (plus interest) under the Council-Selected Restoration Component and 30 percent under the Spill Impact Component. The Council is chaired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and members include the governors of: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, as well as the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, the Army and the Interior.
The Council is responsible for helping to restore the ecosystems and economies of the Gulf Coast region by developing and overseeing implementation of a Comprehensive Plan and carrying out other responsibilities. The Gulf Coast ecosystem is one of the most diverse environments in the world and home to a wealth of wildlife, valuable natural resources, abundant seafood, extraordinary beaches and recreational activities, and a rich cultural heritage.
