State
BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY OFFICIALLY CLOSED BUT IMPACT OF OPENING COULD GO ON FOR WEEKS
WXXV
The Bonnet Carre Spillway closed all of their bays on May 1st, but officials say the worst of its effects may still be yet to come.
Bids for debris removal pile up
Laurel Leader-Call
The bids from companies that want to remove storm debris from Jones County were piled up on a table in the Board of Supervisors’ meeting room on Monday morning.
Crews working to put out hotspots while most of Ocean Springs fire remains contained
WLOX
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) - Numerous homes were saved after multiple crews worked to contain a brush fire in Ocean Springs, according to an official at the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC).
HARRISON COUNTY BURN BAN LIFTED
WXXV
Harrison County Fire Chief Pat Sullivan has lifted the burn ban for Harrison County, effective May 12.
Sullivan strongly encourages anyone who participates in a burn to use extreme caution.
State Government
Mississippi gov tightens virus rules in 7 hard-hit counties
AP
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday that he is tightening regulations in parts of the state seeing the fastest spread of the new coronavirus.
Regional
Invasive lizard that grows to 4 feet now ‘established’ in 2 south Georgia counties
Sun Herald
An invasive Argentinean lizard known to grow more than 4 feet long has become “established” in at least two southeast Georgia counties, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
National
National Parks Start to Reopen
WSJ
WASHINGTON—U.S. national parks and recreation areas are starting to allow visitors back in, as officials gradually open sections that were closed during the coronavirus pandemic, with the process expanding in coming weeks.
For first time, federal dam operators must make water temperature control plan
The Daily News (WA)
In an historic action last week, the state Department of Ecology required federal operators of eight dams on in the Columbia-Snake rivers to write a plan to keep the waters cold enough for adult salmon survival.
Press Releases
EPA Stresses the Importance of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment
05/12/2020
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging all Americans to recycle materials from their households and properly dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EPA Makes it Easier for Consumers to Find Safe, Effective Disinfectant Products to Use Against the Novel Coronavirus
05/12/2020
WASHINGTON (May 12, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its List N Tool, a new web-based application (app) that allows smart phone users and others to quickly identify disinfectant products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Nominees Sought for Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Advisory Council to Promote Technology Innovation in Wildlife and Habitat Conservation
USFWS
May 12, 2020
The U.S. Department of the Interior seeks experts and leaders in wildlife and habitat conservation technology to advise the Secretary of the Interior as part of the newly formed Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Advisory Council.
