Tuesday, December 31, 2019

News Clippings December 31, 2019

State

Mississippi sues Army Corps, Mississippi River Comm. over spillway openings

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Mississippi is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Mississippi River Commission calling the intrusion of freshwater into the Mississippi Sound from repeated openings of the Bonnet Carré Spillway “illegal.”
“In any instance where you have this kind of occurence, you have to first stop the bleeding,” said Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.
Hosemann was in Gulfport Monday to announce the filing “on behalf of the citizens on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and all people in Mississippi.”



Regional

Water quality sensor hitches ride on Mississippi River boat

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A data-gathering sensor attached to the American Queen steamboat will give scientists and cities a better understanding of water quality along the entire length of the Mississippi River.
U.S. Geological Survey and Army Corps of Engineers officials, a group of Mississippi River city mayors and the operators of the American Queen showed off the new equipment on the steam-driven vessel in Memphis last fall.


Deer Disease Takes Its Toll on Hunting in the South

Deer hunting has declined in some Southern states since a fatal, mad-cow-like disease was discovered in the region’s deer population, state officials said.
Chronic wasting disease can be transmitted among deer species, including whitetail deer, the most popular large-game target for American hunters. The incurable disease has spread across the U.S. and can now be found in deer populations in large parts of the West and Midwest as well as in states farther east, including Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
In 2018, it came to Mississippi and Tennessee.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/deer-disease-takes-its-toll-on-hunting-in-the-south-11577788200

Mobile to decide key issue on Amtrak future on Gulf Coast

City leaders are preparing to decide a key issue in restoring passenger train service along the northern Gulf Coast, where Amtrak hasn’t operated regularly since Hurricane Katrina.
Council members are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to commit as much as $3 million over three years to operate Amtrak trains through the city, al.com reported.
Katrina badly damaged rail lines in 2005, and Amtrak hasn’t resumed regular east-west service since then.


National

The Trump administration’s environmental stocking stuffers

While Americans were buying and opening their Christmas presents, the Trump administration’s environmental regulators were wrapping up their work on some controversial issues, including some proposed rollbacks of Bush and Obama-era regulations.
Their gifts — which you might have missed amidst the holidays — include policies on energy efficient lightbulbs, water contamination and pesticides.
Here are the details:


 


Monday, December 30, 2019

News Clippings December 30, 2019

State

Christmas Cardboard Recycling Program another hit in Harrison County

HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - The Christmas Cardboard Recycling Program kicked off Saturday, collecting all the extra cardboard to help people clean up after the holidays.
This year, recycling all the extra boxes from gifts this holiday season is even easier. Kevin Felsher is part of the Harrison County Beautification Commission and is helping keep the county clean.


Tornadoes, power outages reported as storms sweep across Mississippi

In the aftermath of storms that swept across Mississippi Sunday, the National Weather Service was deploying teams Monday to assess damage from what could be tornadoes or straight-line winds.

clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2019/12/29/severe-weather-mississippi-tornadoes-power-outages-damage/2770389001/

Seafood businesses hope for better year after disastrous 2019

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - 2019 was a long and tiring year for businesses that depend on the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico to make a living, but many are hopeful for a brighter 2020.
Beatrice McClure is the store manager of Biloxi Boardwalk Marina and is looking to put this year behind her.


State Government

MISSISSIPPI SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT COAST TODAY ON BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY

Current Secretary of State, and incoming Lieutenant Governor, Delbert Hosemann is scheduled to be in South Mississippi later today.
A press conference has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. today where Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is scheduled to announce actions being taken by the state, related to the Mississippi Sound.


 

Friday, December 27, 2019

News Clippings December 27, 2019

State

Mississippi Coast cities, counties sue Army Corps over Bonnet Carré as new threat looms
Sun Herald

Mississippi Coast localities and two associations have filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Mississippi River Commission to protect coastal waters from future damage caused by Mississippi River water pouring from the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

Coast leaders file federal lawsuit to change procedures for future spillway openings
WLOX

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - Leaders from across the Mississippi Coast have filed a federal lawsuit, seeking changes to procedures in future openings of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

Harrison County Christmas cardboard recycling program expanding
WLOX

HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - When you’ve got a good thing going, make it bigger.
That's just what the Harrison County Beautification Commission is doing with their Christmas Cardboard Recycling program.

Hattiesburg sets up recycling stations for holiday trash
WDAM

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The City of Hattiesburg is helping keep the community clean by offering recycling for Christmas rubbish.


Regional

There were 540 oil spills after Katrina. Oil companies have yet to be held accountable for any of them.
NOLA.com

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, while stranded New Orleanians flagged down helicopters from rooftops and hospitals desperately triaged patients, crude oil silently gushed from damaged drilling rigs and storage tanks.

Coastal activists and scientists point to new land resulting from this year’s high Mississippi River
WVUE

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVUE) - On the east bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines, LSU coastal scientist John Day surveys a rare site along Louisiana’s coast, a place where new land forms.

Rule aimed at saving more sea turtles from shrimp boats gets mixed response
NOLA.com

A new federal rule aimed at protecting sea turtles from shrimping nets is getting mixed reactions from conservation groups. 

What's inside a feral hog's stomach? You name it.
NOLA.com

Snakes, turtles, rabbits, nutria, turkey eggs, turkey babies, baby trees. 
Those are among the things state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries scientists recently dug out of the bellies of dead feral hogs from across Louisiana.


National

5 Major Environmental Regulation Changes Made by Trump Admin. in 2019
CNBC

President Donald Trump has taken historically unprecedented action to roll back a slew of environmental regulations that protect air, water, land and public health from climate change and fossil fuel pollution.

South Philly refinery, a big polluter, shut down 6 months ago. So, do we have cleaner air?
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

The vast Philadelphia Energy Solutions refining complex was the single largest stationary source of air pollution in the city before it shut down after a catastrophic June 21 fire. So it would be reasonable to assume the city's air quality has improved in the six months since the largest oil refinery on the East Coast suspended fuel production.

One eccentric socialite is to blame for California's wild pig problem
SF Chronicle

California's wild pigs are massive and ubiquitous. They can grow into 200-pound ripping machines. They tear up lawns and destroy hillsides. Their gruesome teeth can even threaten humans and pets.

Can you guess what happens to unsold Christmas trees?
USA Today

Firs. Pines. Spruces. Cedars. 
Millions of these prickly evergreens are chopped, shipped, sold and decorated every holiday season. In fact, roughly 96 million American households are expected to put up a Christmas tree during the holidays, according to an annual survey from the American Christmas Tree Association, and 19% of those are live trees. 


Thursday, December 26, 2019

News Clippings December 26, 2019

State

City asks for patience with cleanup
Daily Corinthian

With the federal disaster declaration in hand, Corinth is moving through the process of hiring a contractor to assist with storm cleanup.
...The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has given approval for the city to have a site to burn the enormous amount of debris. The city's landfill site on Westview Drive is near capacity.

Decision on Eagle Lake debris cleanup delayed, pushed to new supervisors
Vicksburg Post

A decision to handle huge amounts of debris left behind by home demolitions in the Eagle Lake community will be decided by the new Warren County Board of Supervisors after the current board decided Monday to delay a decision.

County opening waste disposal site
Neshoba Democrat

Neshoba County residents will soon have a safe, clean area where they can dispose of garbage, discarded metals and old tires.

LIST: Recycle Christmas trees instead of throwing them away
WLOX

HARRISON/JACKSON COUNTIES, Miss. (WLOX) - Christmas trees are one of the most known symbols of the holidays, but they can also become a dangerous hazard when the holidays end and they dry out. So, what can residents do to protect themselves and their homes?

Christmas tree disposal and reuse
Picayune Item

Picayune residents will be able to dispose of their live Christmas trees through curbside pickup.

Poultry, timber remain Mississippi’s top crops in 2019
AP

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Poultry and timber remain atop Mississippi’s agricultural economy.

Flooding throughout county proves costly
Madison County Journal

The Board of Supervisors voted last week to spend $500,000 to fix flooding issues on Way Road, but that could just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the county’s water woes.

R’land water gets perfect score
Madison County Journal

The City of Ridgeland has earned the maximum score of 5 from the Mississippi State Department of Health for the city’s drinking water supply according to an inspection conducted in october. 

Grassfed animal production can be a way to save the family farm
MBJ

Many grassfed animal producers turned to that production method because of evidence that it is healthier for the environment, the animals and people. But another big factor is cost. It can be less costly than purchasing or even growing the grains.


Regional

For a decade Alabama regulators asked top state doctor to identify PFAS human health risks
WHNT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Newly discovered letters between Alabama's environmental chief and top doctor reveal their concerns about potential health risks from PFAS chemicals, a position they have not embraced publicly.

Oyster Farmers Bring Back A Once Prominent Florida Industry
WUSF

Florida's oyster business is making a slow comeback. Apalachicola Bay in the Panhandle used to be known for its oyster fisheries until it all collapsed less than a decade ago. Growers are having some success using a new way to farm.

EPA to conduct hearing on offshore aquaculture project near Sarasota
Herald Tribune

SARASOTA COUNTY — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a public hearing next month on a discharge permit that would allow for an aquaculture net pen demonstration project to be built about 45 miles southwest of Sarasota in the Gulf of Mexico.

Denka air monitoring will continue in 2020, but using different method, EPA says
NOLA.com

Federal air monitoring around a LaPlace chemical plant the EPA says emits a “likely carcinogen” will continue in 2020, quieting some environmentalists’ and nearby residents' fears that the agency would pull the plug on the program next year. 

Arkansas water project progressing, funding needed
Delta Farm Press

The Bayou Meto Water Management District is addressing a water shortage problem in eastern Arkansas that, if not rectified, could endanger agricultural row crop production, a wildlife habitat, and impact consumer drinking water by the middle of the century.

System maximizes lay flat pipe
Delta Farm Press

Lay flat pipe has become increasingly popular in the South as a way to move water into flood irrigation areas. And the system is moving into other parts of the country where flood irrigation is used, due to the convenience of rolling out the material rather than using standard pipe setups.

Alabama ups deer disease checks; CWD in neighboring states
AP

Alabama is increasing checks for a lethal deer disease because chronic wasting disease has been found in neighboring Mississippi and Tennessee.


National

Trump admin shuts down pollution-tracking map
The Hill

A federal database tracking pollution in the United States was retired earlier this month, drawing criticism from environmental advocates.

HUD spends millions on lead abatement. Why are public housing authorities still struggling?
Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON Many public housing residents are facing lead-related dangers in their homes, mostly from lead-based paint and pipes, but also in the surrounding soil and in the playgrounds where children play.

When Some Municipalities Stopped Recycling, This Iowa County Processed More
WSJ

Cities and counties around the U.S. suspended parts of their recycling programs this year after China tightened import restrictions, and prices for recyclables plummeted. But Scott County, Iowa, is collecting more than ever.

Toxic ‘ooze’ onto Detroit-area highway raises questions about $2M EPA cleanup and oversight
MLive

Environmental investigators once found toxic green water in an unlined pit in the basement of a factory deemed so contaminated that the state closed it in 2016.

West Coast fishery rebounds in rare conservation ‘home run’
AP

A rare environmental success story is unfolding in waters off the U.S. West Coast.


Opinion

EDITORIAL/Taxpayers are ‘partners’ in a dump?
Madison County Journal

An attorney for the proposed third landfill in Madison County has declared that taxpayers are “partners” by way of a host fee agreement.

Madison County landfill: Who will stand up for residents against unneeded landfill?
Gary Parker and Katie Warren, Guest columnists
Clarion Ledger

Surely, someone will stand up for us before it’s too late.
Madison County finds itself in an episode of the Twilight Zone, hurtling toward a point of no return that virtually no one here wants — a regional waste dump in our backyard that takes in garbage from outside Madison County.


Press releases

Commercial, recreational fishing seasons opening, closing
December 23, 2019

BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced today that commercial fishing seasons for Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Gray Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) and Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) opened in Mississippi territorial waters on January 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. local time.