State
Hyde-Smith questions head of EPA
NewsMS
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith encouraged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to continue guiding the agency toward “a commonsense approach to the environmental regulatory process.”
COSTCO DETERMINING GAS STATION LOCATION
Northside Sun
Costco officials still had not decided last week where they were going to put a remote gas station.
Nicolas Cage donates $10,000 to fight rare cancer that's killing Coast kids
Sun Herald
Actor Nicolas Cage was so disturbed by the lack of funding to find a cure for the rare brain cancer that killed Sophia Ann Myers that he's taking action. ...The state Department of Health and the state Department of Environmental Quality are investigating to determine what may be to blame for the growing number of DIPG cases.
State Government
Mississippi could begin poultry export business with India
NewsMS
India recently lifted the ban on imports of poultry and this week, the fastest growing country in the world sent 17 members of a trade delegation to meet with Mississippi Development Authority’s Executive Director Glenn McCullough Jr. along with Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson about trade opportunities between India and the Magnolia state.
Regional
Beach trip? Here's all you need to know for Gulf Coast beaches this weekend
Times-Picayune
New Orleanians had that summer feeling with record high temperatures this week and potentially more on the way this weekend. If you're heading to the beach this weekend, here is the outlook for Gulf Coast beaches.
…And here's a link to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's water quality and beach monitoring program for the entire Mississippi coast.
Kentucky Regulators Agree Illegal Radioactive Waste Should Stay In Blue Ridge Landfill
WKYU
Epping Way section of Wolf River Greenway nearing completion, opens in June
Commercial Appeal
Beneath a soaring green cathedral formed by the canopies of oak trees, Bob Wenner pauses during a recent hot, sticky morning to reflect on the advantages of the widely varying terrain found along the Wolf River Greenway.
National
Trump officials propose easing EPA chemical plant safety rule
The Hill
The Trump administration wants to roll back some parts of a major Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule meant to reduce the risks of chemical plant disasters.
IDEM wants to change the way you see air permit proposals, and the public is not happy
Indianapolis Star
For decades, the state's environmental regulators have been required to notify Hoosiers whenever a proposed polluter seeks a permit by publishing a notice in the local newspaper.
But that requirement has been lifted and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management wants to make a change — one that some environmental advocacy groups worry will make it more difficult for Hoosiers to learn about issues that could have a significant impact on their health.
Some endangered frogs may be leaping back from extinction
Washington Post
Variable harlequin frogs (Atelopusvarious) and many other amphibians in the lush forests of Panama have been slammed by a globe-creeping fungus.
Opinion
TIME TO CHANGE FLOOD CONTROL PLAN
Northside Sun
I testified about flooding on the Mississippi before the Mississippi River Commission in Greenville last month. Readers with properties on the river, its oxbow lakes, and tributaries may be surprised to learn why they flood. It’s the bottlenecks.
Press Releases
EPA Administrator Pruitt Signs Proposed Risk Management Program Reconsideration Rule
Rule would ensure proper emergency planning and save $88 million in regulatory costs
05/17/2018
WASHINGTON (May 17, 2018) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed the Risk Management Program (RMP) Reconsideration proposed rule to better address potential security risks, improve emergency planning and public information regarding accidents, and save approximately $88 million a year. "Accident prevention is a top priority at EPA, and this proposed rule will ensure proper emergency planning and continue the trend of fewer significant accidents involving chemicals," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "The rule proposes to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, address the concerns of stakeholders and emergency responders on the ground, and save Americans roughly $88 million a year."
EPA has a responsibility to protect first responders and communities adjacent to facilities with chemical substances and has done so, in part, through the Risk Management Program (RMP). RMP regulations, first issued in 1996, require facilities to take steps to prevent and mitigate the consequences of accidental release of regulated substances. Today’s proposed rule would rescind or modify certain provisions of the RMP Amendments rule published in January 2017. It proposes to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining consistency with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management standard. In addition, the rule proposes revised compliance dates for the modified RMP requirements to provide necessary time for agency programmatic changes and for regulated facilities to implement the new requirements.
"I applaud the Trump Administration and Administrator Pruitt for reducing more unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. "The new RMP rule is another victory for common sense over environmental radicalism and is a good example of the Administration listening to and properly responding to the valid concerns of multiple states.”
"The EPA’s Risk Management Plan Rule (RMP) as proposed under the Obama Administration would have imposed significant new costs on industry without identifying or quantifying the safety benefits to be achieved through new requirements. NACD saw the Trump Administration’s delay last year in implementing this rule as a positive sign that these concerns would be addressed going forward," said National Association of Chemical Distributors President Eric Byer. "We believe that with EPA’s release today of a new proposed RMP rule, many of the concerns have been eliminated or addressed in a way that makes common sense. We look forward to reviewing the proposal in its entirety and submitting comments to the agency this summer."
"SOCMA would like to thank and congratulate Administrator Pruitt and the EPA on completion of the proposed rule," said Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates’ Robert Helminiak. "SOCMA was supportive of EPA’s delay on implementation of the prior rule which allowed the Agency to conduct this reconsideration rulemaking. We are pleased EPA has sought resolution of the major concerns with the RMP rule and look forward to working with the Agency on other issues of mutual interest impacting the specialty and fine chemicals industry."
The proposed rule will be available for public comment for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. A public hearing on the rule is scheduled for June 14, 2018.
USDA Announces Funds to Help Mississippi Ag Producers With
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans
JACKSON, MS, May 18, 2018 - A new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) project will add the expertise of private sector technical service providers (TSPs) to help poultry growers in Mississippi. This project is the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Initiative. Applications that are received by June 15, 2018, will be considered for financial assistance.
The purpose of the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Initiative is to assist Mississippi poultry growers with coverage for some estimated 1,600 expiring Dry Litter Poultry (DLP) Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) permits. These permits are scheduled to expire in January 2019. Funds will be used to pursue the services of Technical Service Providers with the purpose of developing a nutrient management plan (NMP). Nutrient Management Plans are required prior to the issuance of a Dry Litter Poultry Animal Feeding Operation general permit.
TSPs are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities. Farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations and public agencies hire TSPs to provide these services on behalf of the NRCS. NRCS must approve plans and practices recommended by TSPs to ensure that they meet the agency’s standards. Every TSP has obtained CAP 102 certification to indicate essential knowledge, skills, and abilities have been acquired to develop NRCS approved nutrient management plans.
“The decisions of poultry growers can have significant impacts on our state’s natural resources,” stated Michael E. Carr, Acting NRCS State Conservationist for Mississippi. “By working with TSPs, we hope to reach our goal of maximizing CNMP development prior to January 2019.”
To qualify for EQIP, an applicant must be an individual, entity or joint operation that meets eligibility criteria. Poultry growers must also be currently operating under a general pollution control DLP AFO permit to be eligible. Applications for all NRCS financial-assistance programs are accepted on a continuous sign-up process; however specific sign-up deadlines are established to rank, contract and fund qualified tracts of land. Applications for the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Initiative received by June 15, 2018, will be considered for funding this year.
SDA, Announces Funds to Help Mississippi Ag Producers Restore Wildlife Habitat
Gopher Tortoise Part of Innovative Private Land Conservation to
Benefit Agriculture and Wildlife
JACKSON, MS, May 18, 2018 - The United States Department of Agriculture is making financial assistance available to partner with agricultural producers who want to restore and protect habitat for seven focus species, including the gopher tortoise in Mississippi. Applications that are received by June 15, 2018, will be considered in the third-ranking period.
The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest in habitat restoration for the gopher tortoise, the keystone species of longleaf pine forests in the Southeast. The tortoise is known for its deep burrows and is listed as threatened in the western part of its range under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since 2012, NRCS has worked with land managers to make conservation improvements to more than 278,000 acres of pine forests, benefitting the gopher tortoise and many other species.
“Wildlife are significantly impacted by the decisions of agricultural producers,” stated Michael E. Carr, Acting NRCS State Conservationist for Mississippi. “It is important that producers manage lands with the gopher tortoise in an effort to enhance the tortoise’s habitat.”
The conservation efforts for the gopher tortoise are part of Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative (WLFW), which was launched in 2012 to support struggling landscapes and strengthens agricultural operations. The WLFW is a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that focuses on the habitats that are home to seven species, the greater sage-grouse, lesser prairie-chicken, southwestern willow flycatcher, golden-winged warbler, bog turtle, gopher tortoise and the New England cottontail.
Applications for all NRCS financial-assistance programs are accepted on a continuous sign-up process; however specific sign-up deadlines are established to rank, contract and fund qualified tracts of land. Applications for the Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative received by June 15, 2018, will be considered for funding this year.
NRCS financial assistance covers part of the cost to implement conservation practices. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.
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New record: Number of overfished stocks in the U.S. reaches all time low
NOAA
May 17, 2018The number of domestic fish stocks listed as overfished has reached an all-time low, with three species of West Coast rockfish rebuilt to sustainable levels, according to the 2017 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress.
The number of stocks on the overfishing list also remained near all-time lows, an encouraging indicator that the U.S. fishery management system is achieving its long-term sustainability goals.
“Ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks provides two key benefits for the American people,” said Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “First, it strengthens the value of U.S. fisheries’ contribution to the economy, which in 2015 exceeded $208 billion dollars. Second, it supports the communities and marine ecosystems that depend on healthy fisheries.”
· Bocaccio
· Darkblotched rockfish
· Pacific ocean perch
The overfishing list at the end of 2017 included 30 stocks, and the overfished list included 35 stocks. Overall, 91 percent of U.S marine fish stocks are not subject to overfishing and 87 percent are not overfished. A stock is on theoverfishing list when the harvest rate — a direct result of fishing activities — is too high. A stock is on the overfished list when the population size of a stock is too low, whether because of fishing or other causes, such as environmental changes.
· Sailfish — Western Atlantic
· Blue king crab — Pribilof Islands
· Puerto Rico Wrasses Complex
· Coho salmon — Puget Sound: Hood Canal
· Winter flounder — Georges Bank
· Witch flounder — Northwestern Atlantic Coast (due to significant scientific uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment)
· Yelloweye rockfish — Pacific Coast
· Winter flounder — Georges Bank
· Gray triggerfish — Gulf of Mexico
· Red snapper — Gulf of Mexico
· Pacific ocean perch — Pacific Coast
· Bluefin tuna – Western Atlantic (due to significant scientific uncertainty, the status of this stock cannot be determined following a 2017 assessment)
“Rebuilding stocks to fully utilize our fisheries is one way NOAA can reduce our nation’s seafood deficit,” said Oliver. “We look forward to exploring innovative approaches to fisheries management and working with our partners to ensure America’s fisheries remain the world’s most sustainable.”
