State
MDEQ recognizes Holmac, other companies, as 2019 enHance members
Meridian Star
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) accepted one new member and nine renewal memberships into its enHance program for the 2019 class on April 9.
CLEAN-UP IS BEGINNING IN COLUMBUS
WCBI
It’s the news residents in Columbus have been waiting for. The city has passed a motion to move along with debris removal.
It’s done: Demolition of Kuhn should lead way to development of 12.8 acres in city
Vicksburg Post
All that’s left is cleaning up the rubble.
Rubble and a slab were all that’s left of the buildings on the Kuhn Memorial Hospital property as equipment for contractor M&M Services were busy Tuesday afternoon milling concrete and taking away the remnants of what was Kuhn’s main building.
Cafeteria trays dumped in woods near Mississippi school
AP
A Mississippi woman says she was distressed to find dozens of plastic cafeteria trays dumped in a wooded area near a school.
More than 250 households affected by water problems in Perry County
WDAM
More than 200 households are experiencing water problems in Perry County.
Jessica Bowman takes a look at what's happening and what's next for the Arlington Water Association customers.
City workers replace caved in sewer line
Vicksburg Post
A section of Adams Street north of Clay Street near Walnut Hills Restaurant was down to one lane for most of Tuesday while city sewer department employees replaced a caved-in 8-inch clay sewer line.
USDA issues $148.8 million loan for rural electric system upgrades in MS
WDAM
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith announced Tuesday that the USDA’s Rural Development has awarded a $148.8 million loan to a Hattiesburg-based rural electric partnership to finance system upgrades in 55 counties.
State Government
LAW ALLOWS ELECTRIC COOPS TO PROVIDE INTERNET BUT MAY TAKE YEARS
MPB
A new law opens the door for Mississippi Electric Cooperatives to study how to bring the internet to rural communities. But as MPB's Desare Frazier reports, it could be years before the service is available.
Carmichael leaving Mississippi Senate at end of April
AP
A longtime state senator is leaving office early to serve on the Mississippi Community College Board.Mississippi.
Oil Spill
Off-bottom aquaculture diversifies oyster farming
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - It’s a new way to harvest oysters, and it involves farming on the water.
Off-bottom aquaculture is a developmental way to harvest oysters sponsored by the Department of Marine Resources and funded through the Restore Act.
BRINGING MORE OYSTERS TO THE COAST
WXXV
Biloxi was once referred to as the ‘seafood capital of the world.’ Although those days are behind us, city officials and fishermen are now working together to bring back more marine life to the Mississippi Sound.
Navarre Beach welcomes new ADA-friendly boardwalks on soundside in nearly $500,000 project
PNJ
The soundside area of Navarre Beach is more accessible to more people now.
And it's thanks to a newly completed Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Early Restoration Program project, which was touted as a community-wide effort and celebrated by commissioners and Navarre area residents Tuesday afternoon.
Regional
Sixteen known breaches pose threats to Memphis' drinking water supply, study seeks to ID more
Commercial Appeal
Sixteen breaches in the clay layer protecting the Memphis Sand aquifer have been identified in Shelby County, and a long-term study is scrutinizing potential contamination sources, the breaches and other threats.
This 17-foot-long python is dead. Here's how scientists will track and kill more giant snakes
USA Today
Now researchers say the record-setting snake, the largest python ever removed from Big Cypress National Preserve, will aid them in discovering how to lure and kill more of the invasive predators in Florida's Everglades.
National
Trump Plans to Sign Executive Orders to Expedite Pipelines
Move meant to blunt ability of states and environmental activists to use Clean Water Act in obstructing oil and gas pipeline projects
WSJ
WASHINGTON—In a move to expedite oil and gas pipeline projects, President Trump plans to sign a pair of executive orders that would overhaul some environmental permitting rules and limit shareholder resolutions aimed at environmental concerns, according to a senior administration official.
Dems grill EPA chief over auto emissions rollback plan
The Hill
Democrats on Tuesday grilled Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Andrew Wheeler over his agency’s decision to roll back an Obama-era fuel emissions standard.
Could springtime flooding lead to spread of invasive carp?
MPR
This spring's widespread flooding across the Midwest has brought destruction and economic hardship in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. Minnesota, still in the midst of the spring flooding season, has seen rivers swell and tributaries spill their banks.
But there's another potential impact of flooding that has scientists on alert: It could increase the likelihood of invasive carp spreading into new territory.
Congress approves seven-state Colorado River deal addressing drought conditions
The Hill
The House and Senate both approved a seven-state agreement Monday night designed to reduce use of water from the parched Colorado River by drought-stricken Western states.
Press Releases
MDEQ Recognizes 2019 enHance Members
(JACKSON, Miss.) — The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) accepted one new member and nine renewal memberships into its enHance program for the 2019 class on Tuesday. The recognition was part of the annual workshop and awards luncheon held in Jackson each year.
enHance is a voluntary stewardship program that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond their legal requirements. enHance is open to facilities, cities, counties, and other entities who are interested in the program, and applicants can choose from three tiers: Leader, Steward, or Associate.
EPA, USDA, and FDA Unveil Formal Strategy to Reduce Food Waste, Bring State and Local Partners Together to Increase Collaboration
WASHINGTON (April 9, 2019) — Today, as part of the Trump Administration’s Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the release of a federal interagency strategy to address food waste.
EPA Announces Environmental Compliance Website for the Crude Oil and Natural Gas Sector
04/09/2019
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new compliance assistance resource for owners and operators of crude oil and natural gas extraction operations. This new Environmental Compliance Information for Energy Extraction Portal provides easily accessible information to help companies comply with federal and state environmental regulations.”
