State
Proposed pump project in Mississippi has bipartisan support
AP
VALLEY PARK, Miss. (AP) — A Democratic congressman who represents the Mississippi Delta reiterated his support Friday for a flood control and drainage project that the Trump administration says it might revive more than a decade after another Republican administration killed it.
Push for backwater pumps gaining support
WJTV
A call for action today in the Delta as flood victims joined with U.S. and state lawmakers in a push for pumps to prevent catastrophic backwater flooding.
Preparing for the worst: What Lauderdale County residents can do
Merdian Star
John Williamson, the director of the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, bears the responsibility of managing the county's resources in the event of a disaster.
...Of the 211 dams in Lauderdale County, 33 are classified as "high hazard," meaning "dam failure may cause loss of life, serious damage to homes, industrial or commercial buildings, important public utilities, main highways or railroads," according to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Okatibbee plays major role in flood control
Meridian Star
Flooding along the Mississippi Delta has submerged hundreds of thousands of acres, leaving families and farmers stranded in the last two months.
...With 211 dams in Lauderdale County alone, according to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, 33 dams are "high hazard," meaning "dam failure may cause loss of life, serious damage to homes, industrial or commercial buildings, important public utilities, main highways or railroads."
Pickwick Dam to be reinforced against earthquakes
AP
The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to begin reinforcing the Pickwick Dam against earthquakes this fall.
Yalobusha River Alert
Grenada Star
(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a water contact advisory Thursday for a portion of the Yalobusha River in Grenada.
MDEQ issues water contact advisory for Yalobusha River
WTVA
GRENADA, Miss. (WTVA) - State environmental officials have issued a water contact advisory for a section of the Yalobusha River in Grenada.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued the advisory on Thursday.
When is Costco going to open? Ridgeland says soon, but lawyer says not so fast.
Clarion Ledger
The Costco store in Ridgeland is moving forward and should be open by mid-September, city officials say, even as neighbors continue to work through the court system to prevent the mega store from opening.
...Maloney said there's another possible hurdle to the development, this time involving a permit from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
MDEQ granted developers a water quality permit and storm water certification because of the potential impact the development would have on the nearby Purple Creek and surrounding wetlands.
A Madison County judge ruled that the permits could be appealed through the MDEQ Permit Board. Opponents are expected to appear before the seven-member panel on May 14.
Ocean Springs gets nearly $1 million from state for water & sewer improvements; Gautier gets half a million
Mississippi Press
Thanks to the state legislature’s recently-passes Transportation & Infrastructure bill, the City of Ocean Springs will receive some $900,000 in funding for upgrades to its aging water and sewer system.
Hazardous household waste collection to be held Saturday in Laurel
WDAM
Laurel and Jones County residents will have an opportunity Saturday to safely get rid of hazardous household waste for free.
‘Keep Jackson Beautiful’ urges you to get involved with the Great American Cleanup
WLBT
Groups across the Capital City will be doing their part to tidy up in the coming weeks for the Great American Cleanup.
Spring Cleaning for the City of Clinton
WLBT
The annual citywide cleanup for Clinton residents begins April 6 and will continue through April 13, except Sunday. This program is to provide a disposal service to residents who have items too large for regular disposal, as well as yard waste and other household debris free of charge.
Saltillo City Hall helping residents clean up
Daily Journal
The city of Saltillo is once again offering its residents a little help with their spring cleaning.
For the last 12 years throughout the month of April, the city has provided a trash bin behind City Hall for citizens to properly dispose of household garbage, lumber, old appliances and other debris.
LIMITED RESOURCES
Making do: State parks tackle infrastructure needs as spring approaches
Daily Journal
As the weather warms up, both trees and lawns turn more and more green, and minds turn to spending time in the great outdoors.
It’s a great time to go out to one of the Mississippi’s 25 state parks. They offer camping, fishing, skiing, disc golf and plenty of trails winding their way through the Mississippi countryside.
New shooting range set to open near Sardis
WMC
PANOLA COUNTY, MS (WMC) - A state of the art shooting facility is set to open in North Mississippi.
Freedom for Fido on part of beach in Mississippi city
AP
One Mississippi Gulf Coast city is giving dogs the freedom to romp on part of its beach without a leash.
State Government
Luckney’s appointment to Personnel Board confirmed
MBJ
The Mississippi Senate has confirmed Governor Phil Bryant’s reappointment of Alwyn Luckey to the Mississippi State Personnel Board for a five-year term beginning July 1. Luckey was originally appointed to the Board by Governor Bryant in 2012.
Senate confirms Moore appointment to Personnel Board
MBJ
The Mississippi Senate has confirmed Governor Phil Bryant’s appointment of Gregory A. Moore to the Mississippi State Personnel Board to fill an unexpired term through June 30, and for a five-year term beginning July 1.
Oil Spill
Chemical dispersants remain effective tool for cleaning up oil spills, study says
Times-Picayune
A new wide-ranging scientific report has concluded that the chemicals used to cleanup the massive 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill remain an effective response option for large spills -- a conclusion that runs counter to other studies that found dispersants to be ineffective and dangerous for the environment and human health.
Regional
3M nears settlement with north Alabama water system over chemical pollution
Al.com
The West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority and chemical giant 3M are finalizing a settlement in a lawsuit over who will pay for a new multi-million dollar filtration system to remove industrial contaminants from the drinking water of thousands of people in north Alabama.
Miami gets $99.7 million federal loan for wastewater upgrade
AP
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department with a $99.7 million federal loan to build 14 injection wells designed to stop wastewater from going into the Atlantic Ocean.
UF students create app to track, offset carbon footprint
Gainesville Sun
Two University of Florida students have created an app that allows users to better keep track of their carbon footprint.
Study on state of Memphis drinking water to be discussed
WMC
The safety and quality of Memphis drinking water will be at the center of discussion at a public meeting Monday night.
The Gulf of Mexico’s Hottest Diving Spots Are Decommissioned Oil Rigs
Smithsonian
On the surface, offshore oil rigs are a complete eyesore, but underwater they can be an aquatic paradise for sea creatures. Stretching hundreds of feet from the ocean floor and towering far above the surface—some reaching heights as tall as the Empire State Building—these metal platforms used for oil drilling have taken on a surprisingly different purpose over the years: serving as manmade reefs for coral, sponges, algae, red snapper, jacks, angel fish, barracuda and other marine species.
National
States, military clash on cleanup of toxic chemicals
AP
he U.S. Department of Defense has quietly begun battling environmental regulators in several states, after the agencies attempted to force the military to clean toxic firefighting chemicals from polluted streams, marshes and aquifers. The efforts mark the opening acts of what could turn into a nationwide war on legal liabilities, which the Pentagon estimates could reach into billions of dollars as it investigates the presence of the chemicals at hundreds of bases across all 50 states.
Lawmakers want VA to cover PFAS health concerns
WKRG
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — A group of federal lawmakers from Michigan is pushing to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to cover health conditions linked to PFAS exposure.
Legal battle over California emission standards
KTVU
California filed a lawsuit Friday against two federal agencies, saying they are breaking the law, as they seek to weaken future vehicle emissions standards.
Opinion
Wicker promotes ocean development, conservation
Vicksburg Post
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker
Mississippians have inherited, harvested, and benefited from our oceans. That is why our state is a leader when it comes to the Blue Economy — the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
INSIGHT: EPA Enforcement Curbs Shouldn’t Translate to Less Compliance, Unless ...
Bloomberg
A recent report and statements from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency indicate that its enforcement actions, as reflected by the amount of assessed civil penalties, have dropped substantially during the first two years of the Trump administration. The number of EPA enforcement inspections has also dropped.
Press releases
USDA Announces Sign-Up Period for Updated Conservation Stewardship Program
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2019 – The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year is May 10, 2019. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019.
$20 Million in Grants Will Support Recreational Boating Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, creates jobs, and supports the boating industry
4/5/2019
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program continues its substantial contributions to recreational boaters and local communities and their economies through this year’s award of $20.6 million in grants to states and U.S. territories. By providing funding to support dedicated boat tie-up facilities and associated amenities, the BIG program helps Americans enjoy the nation’s waters and our cherished wildlife and natural and cultural resources.
