State
Saving the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer
Delta Farm Press
In what has become a massive, multi-organizational and multi-state effort to save the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVAA) as a viable water source for generations of future farmers across the Mid-South, Dr. Jeannie Barlow, program officer, Lower Miss., Gulf Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), updated those attending the Delta Council’s recent mid-year meeting on the latest work being conducted in this effort.
Hancock County Utility Authority votes to reject bids for professional services
Sea Coast Echo
The Hancock County Utility Authority Board on Thursday voted to formally reject both bids for professional services for operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities.
In the past few months, the board received proposal packages from two companies: Inframark and Utility Partners.
MSU BREAKS GROUND ON NEW ENGINEERING COMPLEX
WTVA
Construction has started on a new engineering and science building on the campus of Mississippi State University.
Regional
Coast Guard responds to crude oil leak in Rattlesnake Bayou
Times-Picayune
Coast Guard, state and federal agencies are responding to an oil leak south of New Orleans near Port Sulphur in the Rattlesnake Bayou, according to a Coast Guard news release.
National
EPA to propose easing Obama water rule
The Hill
The Trump administration is poised to ease an Obama-era water rule, shrinking the number of waterways that are protected from industry pollutants.
EPA, USDA offer to meet with states to discuss agricultural runoff
The Gazette
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture sent a joint letter to states and tribal groups this week encouraging “reinvigoration” of efforts to reduce agricultural runoff and acknowledging “nutrient pollution continues to be widespread, particularly in the Mississippi River Basin.”
New governors plan aggressive climate steps
The Hill
NEW ORLEANS — New and recently reelected Democratic governors plan a series of aggressive steps to address climate change and bolster renewable energy industries in their states.
For many shoppers, it's going to be a green Christmas with gifts good for the environment
USA Today
In past holiday seasons, Silvie Snow-Thomas, 35, has taken steps to go easy on the environment, baking cookies as gifts, and decorating mason jars with fresh holly and clippings from her Christmas tree.
But this year, she's all in.
Press Releases
Rainbow Trout Stocked at Lake Lamar Bruce
MDWFP
JACKSON –The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) stocked over 700 rainbow trout into the fishing pond at Lake Lamar Bruce near Saltillo on Thursday, December 6.
USDA Updates Wetland Determination Guidance to Increase Consistency, Timeliness
Interim NEWS final rule makes wetland conservation compliance requirements more straightforward
Dec. 7, 2018, WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving the process by which it makes wetland determinations, updating guidance to improve consistency and timeliness as well as to responding to feedback from farmers and other stakeholders. The updates do not change the definition of a wetland for USDA program participation purposes, but rather provide greater clarity and uniformity in how NRCS makes determinations nationwide.
