State
Those concrete pipes on Mississippi Coast beaches are about to get a makeover
Sun Herald
Three new waves will be rolling into to the beach in Biloxi by next summer, Phil Bryant announced Tuesday, in what he said could be a $20-$40 million project to improve the appearance of the beach.
New wave-shaped outfalls only part of solution to Mississippi Sound water quality issues
Sun Herald
Video
In 2017 designs submitted to the state Department of Environmental Quality for new water outfalls to replace stormwater drainage pipes on the beach in South Mississippi included water filtering systems. The design announced in 2018 does not.
Poultry farm opponents hold fundraising fall fest
Enterprise-Journal
Opponents of a proposed Progress chicken farm will hold a fall festival Saturday to raise funds to continue their fight.
The Concerned Citizens of Progress fall festival will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 7050 Osyka-Progress Road next to Eddie’s Shop. Admission is $10, free for kids 10 and under.
There will be a deejay, vendors, kids activities, giveaways, raffles, community service providers and entertainment by “Miz Tiffany” Coleman-McGee, La’Porsha Renae and others.
La’Porsha is a singer, songwriter and “American Idol” star from McComb. “Miz Tiffany” is an “Empire” star, author, songwriter and award-winning urban gospel rap artist.
There will also be local church and gospel groups. People are asked to bring lawn chairs. No outside food is allowed.
Residents are protesting plans by Le Poultry to build eight chicken houses at 1159 Pumping Station Road.
In May, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Permit Board approved permits allowing Le Poultry to proceed. But a group of Progress residents appealed, and the board will hold an evidentiary hearing 9 a.m. April 9 at DEQ headquarters in Jackson.
Billy Ray Magee and Pauline Simmons Magee requested the hearing and were joined by Bertha Mae Amaker, Frederick Varnado, Kathleen Varnado, Laura Varnado, Lee Varnado, Teresa Varnado, Robert Varnado and Denise Weatherspoon.
“The fall fest is a fundraising activity,” said Billy Ray Magee. “What it is help paying the attorney fee to help raise money for the upcoming hearing.”
Representing the residents is attorney Jeffery P. Reynolds of Jackson.
“The Permit Board allows the presentation of direct testimony and rebuttal testimony in an evidentiary hearing by the filing of written pre-filed testimony which is usually submitted in affidavit form,” said a letter from DEQ general counsel Roy Furrh on the matter.
The letter sets out a time line for submission of documents, starting in February.
“Right now the lawyers are putting together the program, and we’re going to have some expert witnesses testifying as to what kind of diseases and the effects of having it so close to a residential area,” Magee said.
He said opponents tried to negotiate with Le and purchase the 80 acres in question, but “he asked 210 percent more than appraised value. We tried to do that with mediation and it didn’t work — his lawyer, our lawyer and a mediator — so we’re going to go ahead and follow through with the itinerary.”
Magee said the opponents are also accepting donations through their website, stoplepoultry.com. For more information on the festival, call Denise Weatherspoon at 601-810-0399 or T. Smith at 601-395-1792.
Waste Pro unhappy with fees
Daily Leader
A spat between county supervisors and their former garbage company is about to go from the trash can to the courtroom.
SHINING A LIGHT ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
WCBI
PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Deer season is now underway.
However, while state agencies want everyone to enjoy the season, there’s one major concern they’re warning hunters to be aware of, Chronic Wasting Disease.
PROPOSED INCREASED WATER RATES ANNOUNCED IN SALTILLO TO SOLVE BROWN WATER
WTVA
SALTILLO, Miss. (WTVA) -Customers could be seeing large increases in their water rates, as announced in a public meeting Thursday night.
Entergy plans $138M solar farm in Mississippi Delta
AP
Mississippi's largest private electrical utility wants to build a $138 million solar farm in the Mississippi Delta region.
Regional
Alabama cancels oyster season citing shortage
AP
There won't be an oyster season on the Alabama coast in the coming year, an unusual move caused by what officials say is a lack of oysters in state waters.
Memphis unveils new natural gas plant
WMC
A natural gas plant was unveiled in Memphis on Thursday.
National
Why Texas oil industry stands to save millions as EPA eases restrictions on refineries
Dallas News
Federal environmental regulators announced a series of measures Thursday, including the easing of restrictions on the oil industry, that they said would help create jobs without jeopardizing air quality, but activists remained skeptical.
Federal judge halts Keystone XL pipeline construction
CNN
A federal judge halted construction of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline on Thursday, in a blow to the Trump administration and a win for environmental groups.
Press Releases
Back and Forth: Ask Questions and Learn More About the Low-Level Helicopter Flying Above the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Release Date: NOVEMBER 8, 2018Media: Please join the U.S. Geological Survey, CGG Airborne, and various partners for a demonstration takeoff of the low-flying helicopter and description of what scientists are seeking in/around the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Please
EPA Awards $1.7 Million to Small Businesses to Develop Innovative Technologies
11/08/2018
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $1.7 million in funding to 16 small businesses across the country to develop new technologies that protect the environment while growing the American economy.
“Wild About Gobblers” Event at the Science Museum
MDWFP
JACKSON – Celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends at “Wild About Gobblers” on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 10 a.m. – Noon at MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science! “
