State
First came Bonnet Carré. Then an algae bloom coated the Coast. ‘When is it going to stop?’
Sun Herald
Prolonged opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway is creating headlines reminiscent of the 2010 BP oil spillway as potentially toxic blue-green algae closes beaches on the Mississippi Coast and prompts warnings not to eat seafood caught in infested waters.
UPDATE: 12 areas of Mississippi beach now under toxic algae warnings
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - A total of 12 beaches across two counties in South Mississippi are now closed to swimming and fishing as concerns over a toxic algae bloom continue to grow. East Courthouse Road Beach in Gulfport was added to the list Thursday night.
What exactly is a Harmful Algal Bloom and what are its impacts? Here are some answers.
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - Toxic algae in the Mississippi Sound is causing concern for many people on the Gulf Coast as more signs go up announcing water closures at nearly a dozen beaches. But what exactly is a Harmful Algal Bloom and why is it so dangerous?
HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS ARE DYING DUE TO FRESHWATER IN THE SOUND
WXXV
More beaches have been added to the list of closures on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Now people and their pets need to avoid 12 areas due to contamination from the blue-green harmful algal bloom, but this problem goes way past swimming.
SHIP ISLAND UNAFFECTED BY ALGAE BLOOM
WXXV
With the number of beach closures now up to 12 due to the algae bloom, many residents and visitors are looking for something safe to do.
CONGRESSMAN PALAZZO REQUESTS MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION TO REVIEW FLOOD STANDARDS
WXXV
A Mississippi Congressman is calling for a study to review how flood waters are handled by the Mississippi Valley Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON RANKIN WASTEWATER PLANT; CITY TO LOSE MAJOR ACCOUNT
Northside Sun
Construction is moving along as scheduled on a new wastewater treatment plant for the West Rankin Utility Authority (WRUA).
Open manhole cover exposes horrific smell, creates traffic headaches
WAPT
It is a problem homeowners in one Jackson neighborhood say has been plaguing them for months, raw sewage leaking onto their street.
MORE BOAT RAMPS OPEN AT PELAHATCHIE BAY AFTER SALVINIA INVASION
Northside Sun
Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) board of directors voted last week to reopen four additional boat ramps and a kayak ramp in the Pelahatchie Bay area of the Barnett Reservoir.
INFESTATION OF GIANT SALVINIA WREAKS HAVOC ON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AT RESERVOIR
Northside Sun
“Hallelujah” and “Amen” rang out when Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks biologist Ryan Jones shared with the task force that they have not found green plant material from giant salvinia in the last infested area at the Barnett Reservoir.
The flood will recede, but deer, wildlife still won't be out of the woods.
Clarion Ledger
Floodwater from the Mississippi River and south Delta is beginning to slowly recede and as it does, some wildlife will make their way back to their home ranges. But the journey to recovery may be far from over.
Solar panel use expands in state
WLBT
With more and more technology using electricity, companies across the country and right here in Jackson are looking to the sky to help sustain the power grid.
Top Rating for Bear Creek
Northside Sun
Bear Creek Water Association has again earned the maximum score of 5.0 / 5.0 from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for the drinking water supply, according to the MSDH inspection report in May.
STILL WAITING
Northside Sun
Museum Trail project suffers delays; target date now early fall.
Clay Hays knows about perseverance.
For nearly a decade, the Northsider has worked to push the Museum Trail forward, and for years, he’s waited as the project has been hampered by delay after delay.
DeSoto Center Biology Department to adopt ARK trail
DeSoto Times-Tribune
Northwest Mississippi Community College DeSoto Center biology instructors Dr. Darrell Barnes and Dr. Lindsay Massie and their students will be on hand on July 19 for a formal ceremony to officially "adopt" the ARK trails, where they have been working for over a year.
Upcoming expansion will be the largest in VNMP’s history
Vicksburg Post
The Champion Hill Battlefield site is expanding with the transfer of more than 800 acres of land from the state of Mississippi, the largest expansion of the Vicksburg National Military Park in its history, according to National Park Service.
State Government
Auditor sues Town Creek commissioners over payment demands
Daily Journal
TUPELO • The state auditor has pursued legal action against the commissioners of the Town Creek Master Water Management District, with a suit now filed to recover allegedly illegal payments.
Regional
Florida’s Red Tide Killed At Least 174 Dolphins
WSJ
A prolonged algae bloom in the waters off the coast of southeast Florida in 2018 is to blame for the deaths of 174 bottlenose dolphins, according to newly-released data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
National
Senate vote requires military, EPA to deal with harmful 'forever chemicals'
The Hill
The Senate passed a defense bill Thursday that would require an increased response from the government to harmful chemicals that have leached into water in at least 43 states.
Renewable energy production surpasses coal in US for first time
The Hill
Renewable energy production surpassed coal-fired generation for the first time in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
‘We Don’t Want ‘Em Here’: Invasive Carp Caught In Mississippi, St. Croix Rivers
WCCO
BAYPORT, Minn. (WCCO) — It’s the perfect summer day to be on the St. Croix river — especially if you are in a boat heading out to fish.
But there’s one visitor to Minnesota’s waters who’s unwelcome.
Press Releases
Commercial King Mackerel season to open
BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced Thursday that the commercial fishing season for King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) will open in Mississippi territorial waters at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2019.
HUD verifies the Port of Gulfport has met its obligation for job creation
Jackson, Miss. (June 28, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has closed its review of the Mississippi Development Authority regarding records of jobs created at the Port of Gulfport after Hurricane Katrina, saying that MDA has met the National Objective required by HUD.
In its report, HUD stated that MDA and the Port are keeping proper records.
“As a result of the review, HUD concurs with MDA that the corrective actions from the August 2013 Finding have been implemented as appropriate documentation is being maintained to demonstrate at least 51 percent of the jobs created at the Port of Gulfport are held or made available to low- and moderate-income persons,” according to the report.
“MDA has taken appropriate corrective actions since the Finding was first identified in August of 2013 and has met the CDBG National Objective for LMI job creation. Therefore, this longstanding Finding is now closed.”
“I am very pleased that HUD has reached this conclusion after a thorough compliance review,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “I appreciate the hard work and diligence by Secretary Ben Carson and his team. This is an important milestone that shows the economic strength of the Port of Gulfport Restoration project.“
“HUD’s $570-million investment after Hurricane Katrina was invaluable to Mississippi. I’m proud to say that we’ve met the Low and Moderate Income National Objective for CDBG funds. This would not be possible without the effort from our federal and local partners.”
“Under the Governor’s leadership we have made great strides in improving the long-term competitiveness and job creation capabilities of the Port of Gulfport,” said Jonathan Daniels, MSPA executive director and CEO. “The Port’s current success would not be possible without the financial and technical assistance made available through HUD and MDA. The diversity in our tenant mix and the investments made in port infrastructure have positioned the Port of Gulfport for decades of economic growth for the region.”
Visitor Spending at National Wildlife Refuges Boosts Local Economies by $3.2 Billion
41,000 Jobs Supported, New Report Finds
June 27, 2019
USFWS
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced today that 53.6 million people visited national wildlife refuges in 2017, which had an economic impact of $3.2 billion on local communities and supported more than 41,000 jobs.
“The National Wildlife Refuge System continues to be a strong economic engine for local communities, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the country. President Trump is committed to expanding public access to these natural resources and improving recreation infrastructure, so more people have the opportunity to experience our world class refuges and enjoy the great outdoors,” said Secretary Bernhardt.”
The report analyzes recreational visitation at 162 national wildlife refuges around the country to estimate the economic role refuge visitors play in local economies. This report uses the individual refuge results to estimate the local economic contributions of the entire Refuge System.
“Millions of visitors are drawn each year to the Refuge System’s world-renowned wildlife-related recreation opportunities, generating local economic benefits,” said Margaret Everson, Principal Deputy Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “National wildlife refuges demonstrate that in addition to conserving our nation’s wild heritage like bald eagles and bison, migratory waterfowl populations and some of our nation’s most important waterways, these public lands and waters add real value to local economies.”
National wildlife refuges generate many individual and societal benefits, including fish and wildlife conservation, open space, science and education, water quality improvement and flood resilience. The thriving fish and wildlife populations of the Refuge System also attract millions of recreational users. Some visitors take part in heritage sports, such as hunting and fishing, where those activities are compatible with refuge management goals and other recreational activities. Others enjoy hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing or nature photography.
Wildlife-related recreation fuels the economy throughout the nation. The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years by the Service, informs the Banking on Nature report. The most recent survey found that more than 103 million Americans, or 40 percent of the United States population age 16 and older, pursued wildlife-related outdoor recreation in 2016 and spent nearly $156.9 billion.
The Banking on Nature study also found:
- National wildlife refuges are seen widely as travel-worthy destinations: 83 percent of refuge spending was done by visitors from outside the local area — an increase of 9 percent from the 2011 study.
- Trip-related spending generated $3.2 billion of economic output in regional economies — an increase of 20 percent from the 2011 report.
- More than 41,000 jobs (up 18 percent from 2011) and $1.1 billion in employment income (up 22 percent) were generated.
- The combined economic contribution to communities nationwide is more than six times the $483.9 million appropriated by Congress to the Refuge System in FY 2017.
- This edition of Banking on Nature is the most comprehensive to date, representing a 70 percent increase in the number of refuges sampled, compared to the 2011 report.
The report contains case studies of 162 national wildlife refuges. Among the local findings:
- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge – Boynton, Florida: The 145,062-acre refuge protects portions of the unique northern Everglades and important species like the snail kite, wood stork and American alligator. Public programs include hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling and wildlife observation. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 202 jobs, $8.6 million in employment income, $1.6 million in total tax revenue, and $24.6 million in economic output.
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- Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Marion, Illinois: The refuge is one of the largest in the Great Lakes/Big Rivers Region providing habitat for migratory waterfowl, native fish and other wildlife species. A wide spectrum of recreational activities occur, such as water-skiing, picnicking, camping, hunting, fishing, environmental education and horseback riding. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 315 jobs, $8.4 million in employment income, $2.3 million in total tax revenue, and $29.2 million in economic output.
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- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge – Sherman, Texas: One of the best-kept secrets in north Texas, the refuge provides wetland and upland habitat for more than 340 species of birds and a large variety of native wildlife. Hiking trails, hunting and fishing opportunities, free nature programs and tram tours make this a nature-lover’s paradise. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 46 jobs, $1.4 million in employment income, $526,000 in total tax revenue, and $4.9 million in economic output.
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- John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: This urban refuge located within the city of Philadelphia protects the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in the state and provides diverse habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, butterflies, fish and eagles. The refuge provides community programing and educational activities, including fishing, archery, paddling and birding programs. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 35 jobs, $1.7 million in employment income, $272,000 in total tax revenue, and $4.6 million in economic output.
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- Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge – Bandon, Oregon: Established for seabirds and marine mammals like harbor seals, the scenic and rugged refuge is a spectacular place for visitors to observe, photograph, boat, hunt and fish. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 5,905 jobs, $206.2 million in employment income, $34.5 million in total tax revenue, and $665.1 million in economic output.
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- Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge, La Crosse District – Onalaska, Wisconsin: The refuge, created for migratory birds, fish, other wildlife and plants, encompasses approximately 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain and offers numerous public programs, recreation, hunting and fishing. The contribution of recreational spending in local communities was associated with about 485 jobs, $13.2 million in employment income, $3 million in total tax revenue, and $43.4 million in economic output.
The Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 567 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts in all 50 states and five U.S. territories. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitats for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education.
For more details and a full listing of each refuge’s economic impact, read the Banking on Nature report and explore the visual data online.
