State
Oktibbeha County Lake water level down, EMA not upgrading Emergency Action Plan
WTVA
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - The Oktibbeha County EMA Director Kristen Campanella said the lake's water level is down 6 inches, so she will not upgrade the Emergency Action Plan to a "warning' status.
Emergency officials optimistic of dam status despite a week of heavy rain
Starkville Daily News
The heaviest rain expected for the week has moved through the area and emergency officials are optimistic despite the looming threat at the Oktibbeha County Lake dam.
WATER LEVELS HAVE LOWERED AT OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE
WCBI
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- After advising that conditions at Oktibbeha County Lake could prompt a warning, Emergency Management Agency Director Kristin Campanella said things are improving.
FIRST-HAND LOOK ON THE DAILY ROUTINE OF OKTIBBEHA COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR
WCBI
OKTIBBEHA, Miss. (WCBI) — The Oktibbeha County Lake dam has been one of the biggest concerns in the area right now.
Jackson under State of Emergency amid Pearl River flooding concerns
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The City of Jackson is under a State of Emergency due to concerns about flooding from the Pearl River.
Mandatory evacuation issued for several Jackson streets as Pearl River continues to rise
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Several Jackson streets are now under mandatory evacuation as waters from the Pearl River continue to rise.
MEMA holds Crisis Action Team meeting on flooding expected from rising Pearl River
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Emergency Management Director Greg Michel and MEMA’s Crisis Action Team held a meeting to discuss the plan for the rising Pearl River.
Giant salvinia fight costly as invasive plant holds on
WAPT
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Miss. — Ross Barnett Reservoir operators are in the midst of another battle to keep giant salvinia from spreading.
MDEQ ISSUES SIX BEACH WATER CONTACT ADVISORIES
WXXV
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued water contact advisories Thursday for Station 10B, Station 11, Station 11A, Station 12B, Station 13A, and Station 14.
South Miss. events to recognize state Arbor Day
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - Feb. 14 will be recognized as Mississippi’s Arbor Day. Cities and counties will hold tree plantings, sales and giveaways this weekend to recognize the holiday.
Oil Spill
GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL AWARDS GRANT TO LONG BEACH
WXXV
Good news for the City of Long Beach, Governor Tate Reeves announced the award of a $727,092 grant from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
Regional
Fiery train derailment in Kentucky spills ethanol into river
AP
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A large rock slide on a rain-saturated mountain caused a fiery train derailment Thursday morning in eastern Kentucky that briefly trapped two crew members and caused a chemical leak into a river, authorities said.
Dolphin Killings in Florida Prompt Reward for Information
WSJ
The grisly discoveries of three dead dolphins in the past year in Florida have prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to offer up to $20,000 for information that leads to any person involved in the killings.
National
Trump announces nominations of deputy chiefs for EPA, Energy Department
The Hill
President Trump on Thursday announced the nominations of two officials to become the deputy chiefs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Energy Department. Douglas Benevento will be nominated as the EPA's deputy administrator and Mark Menezes will be nominated to be the deputy Energy secretary.
Oregon landfill accepted 2 million pounds of radioactive fracking waste from North Dakota
The Oregonian
A chemical waste landfill near the Columbia Gorge has been accepting hundreds of tons of radioactive fracking waste from North Dakota in violation of Oregon regulations.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE ENERGY GRID
WSJ
Today, the U.S. electric grid connects more than 9,000 electricity producers to millions of consumers through 6 million miles of transmission lines managed by more than 3,000 different private and public organizations. In the coming years, these numbers are set to expand, while the demand for renewable energy grows.
Opinion
BILLION DOLLAR FLOODING LAWSUIT GETS OFF THE GROUND
Northside Sun
Five hundred Mississippi landowners scored a big victory in Natchez recently in their quest to be reimbursed a billion dollars by the federal government for flooding their land.
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers was asking federal claims court judge Elaine Kaplan to dismiss the suit. After an hour of hearing both sides, Kaplan ruled that the suit could go forward.
Press releases
Complete Set of River Flood Extents within NWS Jackson, MS County Warning Area
NOAA
EPA Announces $26,315,000 for Infrastructure Projects to Protect Surface Water and Drinking Water in Mississippi
02/13/2020
JACKSON, Miss. (February 13, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $2.7 billion for State Revolving Funds (SRFs), including $26,315,000 for Mississippi. This funding assists states, tribes and territories with infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the country.
EPA Announces 2019 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results
02/13/2020
WASHINGTON (Feb.13, 2020) — In Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continued to strengthen its collaborative partnership with state and tribal programs to assure compliance with federal environmental laws.
Doug Benevento Nominated as EPA Deputy Administrator
02/13/2020
WASHINGTON (February 13, 2020) — Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intention to nominate Douglas H. Benevento as deputy administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
...Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves: "Doug Benevento is a great choice to serve as Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I look forward to working with Doug and the rest of the EPA to protect Mississippi’s natural resources that we treasure in this beautiful state."
...Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Interim Executive Director Chris Wells: "Having worked closely with Doug on the work of the RESTORE Council, helping restore Gulf of Mexico resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, I have seen first hand the value of Doug’s experience and leadership abilities. Those abilities wil serve him and EPA well in this new role. I look forward to continuing to with with him in the future."
EPA Announces Community-Scale Air Toxics Monitoring Grant Competition
02/13/2020
WASHINGTON (February 13, 2020) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for funding for air toxics monitoring projects under the Community-Scale Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring grants competition.
