News Clippings August 31, 2020

State Coast Guard responding to diesel spill near Ocean Springs WLOX JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - The Coast Guard is responding to a diesel spill that happened near Ocean Springs Sunday afternoon. https://www.wlox.com/2020/08/30/coast-guard-responding-diesel-spill-near-ocean-springs/ Supervisors approve change in employee insurance policy Monroe Journal …Aberdeen Main Street Director Ann Tackett previously communicated with county officials about material from the former Tombigbee Motel’s future demolition being disposed of at the Monroe County Landfill. https://www.djournal.com/monroe/news/supervisors-approve-change-in-employee-insurance-policy/article_eaeab679-3f4a-5e03-9934-c01d81177bf4.html Checking in on the Katrina dolphins 15 years later WLOX GULF COAST, Miss. (WLOX) - When Hurricane Katrina hit 15 years ago, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport were destroyed and eight dolphins housed in the facility were washed out to sea. https://www.wlox.com/2020/08/29/checking-katrina-dolphins-years-later/ Oil Spill Mississippi Aquarium opens to the public WLOX GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Anticipation hit a crescendo today with the grand opening of Mississippi Aquarium. https://www.wlox.com/2020/08/29/mississippi-aquarium-opens-public/ Regional Millions Of Pounds Of Extra Pollution Were Released Before Hurricane Laura's Landfall NPR Hurricane Laura tore through a region that is home to dozens of major oil refineries, petrochemical plants and plastics facilities. Now, residents could be breathing dangerously polluted air from those sites, public health experts and local advocates say. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/28/906822940/millions-of-pounds-of-extra-pollution-were-released-before-laura-made-landfall Bill for toxic site cleanup near RDU keeps rising WRAL RALEIGH, N.C. — The company that spilled toxic chemicals for years at a plant near Raleigh-Durham International Airport has agreed to pay the government another $2.1 million for cleanup costs, officials said Friday. https://www.wral.com/bill-for-toxic-site-cleanup-near-rdu-keeps-rising/19259006/ 3.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Northeast Arkansas Saturday WMC MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck Northeast Arkansas on Saturday around 9:34 p.m. https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/08/30/magnitude-earthquake-happened-northeast-arkansas-saturday/ National 21 states sue White House over rollback of bedrock environmental law The Hill A coalition of 21 states sued the Trump administration Friday for rolling back what they say is a “rule that is, at its heart, the gutting” of America’s bedrock environmental law. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/514160-21-states-sue-white-house-over-rollback-of-bedrock-environmental As Trash Piles Up During Covid-19, Residents Raise a Stink WSJ The coronavirus pandemic is snarling municipal trash pickup in several U.S. cities, sparking complaints from frustrated residents as uncollected garbage bakes in the summer sun. https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-trash-piles-up-during-covid-residents-raise-a-stink-11598779801 Future of Cleaning Oil Spills Looks to Robots, Wood Chips and Sponges WSJ Recent oil spills in Russia and Mauritius have shown that the industry still needs better methods for cleaning up accidents. Researchers are working on some unlikely-sounding solutions, including oil-absorbing wood chips, a solar-powered robot and a reusable sponge. https://www.wsj.com/articles/future-of-cleaning-oil-spills-looks-to-robots-wood-chips-and-sponges-11598706000?mod=business_lead_pos13 Press Releases EPA Supports State of Texas’ Air Monitoring Efforts Following Hurricane Laura 08/30/2020 DALLAS – (Aug 30, 2020) To support the response to Hurricane Laura, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 6 office has deployed mobile air monitoring staff and equipment to the Southeast Texas area. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-supports-state-texas-air-monitoring-efforts-following-hurricane-laura Mississippi Red Snapper season opening Labor Day weekend MDMR August 28, 2020 BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced today that Red Snapper season will open for private recreational anglers and state for-hire vessels on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in state and federal waters. https://dmr.ms.gov/mississippi-red-snapper-season-opening-labor-day-weekend/ USACE releases Mississippi River mainline levees Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Published Aug. 28, 2020 VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its Draft Supplement II (Draft SEIS II) to the 1976 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) Project, Mississippi River Mainline Levees (MRL), today, Aug. 28. https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/2328853/usace-releases-mississippi-river-mainline-levees-draft-supplemental-environment/ Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality | 515 East Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201 Unsubscribe oliver.paladin.2297348308@blogger.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rwilbur@mdeq.ms.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!

News Clippings August 28, 2020

Laura Weakened but still dangerous, Laura to pose continued threat AP LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Remnants of Hurricane Laura unleashed heavy rain and twisters hundreds of miles inland from a path of death and mangled buildings along the Gulf Coast, and forecasters warn of new dangers as the tropical weather blows toward the Eastern Seaboard this weekend. https://www.wdam.com/2020/08/28/weakened-still-dangerous-laura-pose-continued-threat/ Chemical Fire Burns Near Lake Charles, La., In Aftermath Of Hurricane Laura NPR A chemical plant in Westlake, La., that caught fire during Hurricane Laura is still burning Thursday evening. https://www.npr.org/sections/hurricane-laura-live-updates/2020/08/27/906704215/chemical-fire-burns-near-lake-charles-in-aftermath-of-hurricane-laura More than 1,400 oil wells were in Laura's path, but spills and other damage may not be known for days NOLA.com Hurricane Laura plowed through a corner of Louisiana loaded with oil and gas wells, pipelines, storage tanks and other infrastructure that could potentially cause thousands of small and large environmental disasters – the extent of which may not be known for days or weeks. https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_8106c25c-e86b-11ea-a890-fb56159b024e.html Hurricane Laura caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards WLBT JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Hurricane Laura was so powerful that it pushed the Mighty Mississippi backwards. https://www.wlbt.com/2020/08/27/hurricane-laura-caused-mississippi-river-flow-backwards/ State Hattiesburg reaches settlement with EPA, MDEQ over wastewaster violations WDAM HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The City of Hattiesburg reached a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Wednesday over a longstanding issue with the city’s wastewater system. https://www.wdam.com/2020/08/27/hattiesburg-reaches-settlement-with-epa-mdeq-over-wastewaster-violations/ Hattiesburg must make improvements to wastewater system under federal, state agreement Hattiesburg American The U.S. government and the state of Mississippi are suing the city of Hattiesburg for what could be millions of dollars for what it says are violations of the nation's Clean Water Act. https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/hattiesburg-sued-wastewater-violations/5634506002/ CITY REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS REGARDING WASTEWATER SYSTEM Hub City Spokes The City of Hattiesburg has made a settlement – technically known as a consent decree – with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality that accompanies a lawsuit by the EPA regarding the 2012 discovery of unreported sanitary sewer overflows in the system. https://www.hubcityspokes.com/news-hattiesburg/city-reaches-settlement-state-federal-governments-regarding-wastewater-system#sthash.lG87pp8C.dpbs After more than a year without it, Schlater residents to get clean, running water MS Today SCHLATER — On a cloudy Thursday morning, Tom Clemon stood on a dirt road on the outskirts of this tiny Delta community and cried. After more than a year of traveling and hauling water from a water tank to his trailer home, he says his prayers have been answered. https://mississippitoday.org/2020/08/27/after-more-than-a-year-without-it-schlater-residents-to-get-clean-running-water/ 4 Miss. men face years in prison over illegal turkey hunting WLBT BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (WLBT) - A federal grand jury charged four Mississippi men with illegally hunting turkeys. https://www.wdam.com/2020/08/27/miss-men-face-years-prison-over-illegal-turkey-hunting/ Regional North Carolina sues federal government over approval of seismic tests for oil and gas The Hill North Carolina is suing the federal government over its decision to try to locate oil and gas off the state’s coast despite objections from the state.  https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/513947-north-carolina-sues-federal-government-over-approval-of-seismic National Court finds EPA skirted air laws with 'pernicious loophole' The Hill Environmentalists won their battle challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of Pennsylvania’s air quality, with the court ruling the agency used a “pernicious loophole” when greenlighting laxer standards for coal-fired power plants. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/514029-court-finds-epa-skirted-air-laws-with-pernicious-loophole Green groups fight EPA rollback limiting states from blocking projects The Hill The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing another suit over its rule that limits states’ ability to block pipelines and other controversial projects that cross their waterways. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/513949-green-groups-fight-epa-rollback-limiting-states-from-blocking Judge rules that feds can be sued for failures in Flint water crisis AP The federal government can be sued for negligence in the Flint water crisis, a judge said Wednesday, citing the failure of regulators to timely act as good Samaritans and blow the whistle on lead in the water supply. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/08/26/flint-water-crisis-feds-can-be-sued/5639849002/ Press Releases USDA Launches Strategy to Continue Conserving the Gopher Tortoise and its Critical Habitat  JACKSON, MISS., August 27, 2020 –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today released its new 5-year plan to conserve the Southeast’s threatened gopher tortoise by focusing on the conservation and restoration of its key habitat―longleaf pine forests, and fire will play a leading role in the efforts. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ms/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD1640824 Ag Commissioner Gipson Announces MDAC’s New Wild Hog Control Program Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced a new Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) program, the Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP). https://agnet.mdac.ms.gov/msMarkets/uploads/324.pdf Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality | 515 East Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201 Unsubscribe oliver.paladin.2297348308@blogger.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rwilbur@mdeq.ms.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!

News Clippings August 27, 2020

State Laura blasts destructive, life-threatening Gulf Coast path AP Hurricane Laura pounded the Gulf Coast for hours with ferocious wind, torrential rains and rising seawater as it roared ashore over southwestern Louisiana near the Texas border early Thursday, threatening the lives of people who didn't evacuate. https://www.sunherald.com/news/health/article245288500.html Mississippi at risk for tornado outbreak as Hurricane Laura moves north MPB Mississippi is at risk for an outbreak of tornadoes and severe storms as Hurricane Laura moves inland. https://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/mississippi-at-risk-for-tornado-outbreak-as-hurricane-laura-moves-north/ Lawsuit, consent decree filed over Hattiesburg wastewater violations Hattiesburg American The U.S. government and the state of Mississippi are suing the city of Hattiesburg for what could be millions of dollars for what it says are violations of the nation's Clean Water Act. The state and federal governments filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking injunctive relief and penalties for the city's violations of the Clean Water Act and the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Law. https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/hattiesburg-sued-wastewater-violations/5634506002/ County receives $22K solid waste grant Neshoba Democrat Neshoba County was awarded more than $20,000 in state grant monies for a new bulky waste collection receptacle. https://neshobademocrat.com/stories/county-receives-22k-solid-waste-grant,43346? MDEQ Awards Solid Waste Assistance Grant to Stone County Stone County Enterprise The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) awarded Stone County a solid waste assistance grant of $15,700 that will be used by the county for a household hazardous waste collection program. https://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/news/mdeq-awards-solid-waste-assistance-grant-to-stone-county/article_b889c61a-e6f0-11ea-8c2a-03cb32d25ef1.html Oil Spill New endangered green sea turtle at Mississippi Aquarium WXXV The Mississippi Aquarium is welcoming a new friend to their facility, an endangered green sea turtle by the name of Banner. https://www.wxxv25.com/2020/08/26/new-endangered-green-sea-turtle-mississippi-aquarium/ Mississippi Aquarium partners with CTA to create marine-themed buses WLOX GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - The Mississippi Aquarium is set to open its doors on Saturday, the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. https://www.wlox.com/2020/08/26/mississippi-aquarium-partners-with-cta-create-marine-themed-buses/ Regional Anderson County residents keep the heat on TVA over worries about toxic coal ash Knoxville News Sentinel Anderson County resident Loni Arwood says she doesn’t need a study to convince her the Tennessee Valley Authority is contaminating her community with its radioactive coal ash dust. said.https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/27/anderson-county-residents-fight-over-tva-toxic-coal-ash-waste-call-accountability-investigation/3385555001/ Rockwood plant accused of mishandling hazardous waste in EPA lawsuit WVLT ROCKWOOD, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Environmental Protection Agency filed a lawsuit against American Zinc Recycling Corporation in Rockwood over its alleged mishandling of hazardous waste. https://www.wvlt.tv/2020/08/26/rockwood-plant-accused-of-mishandling-hazardous-waste-in-epa-lawsuit/ The EPA will stop monitoring chloroprene near controversial St. John Parish plant at year's end NOLA.com The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to stop monitoring the levels of a chemical that is believed to cause cancer around a controversial St. John the Baptist Parish plant in December, according to the agency. https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_4d7d193a-e623-11ea-8916-d784128f4b1e.html Oil industry shuts platforms, rigs, refineries as storm hits AP The energy industry braced for catastrophic storm surges and winds as Hurricane Laura cut a dangerous path across the coastlines of Texas and Louisiana, making landfall early Thursday. https://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article245286965.html National Testing traps to control lovely but destructive lionfish AP The quest is on for a better way to kill beautiful but brutally destructive lionfish than shooting them one by one with spearguns. https://www.sunherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article245270490.html U.S. Flood Strategy Shifts to ‘Unavoidable’ Relocation of Entire Neighborhoods NYT This week’s one-two punch of Hurricane Laura and Tropical Storm Marco may be extraordinary, but the storms are just two of nine to strike Texas and Louisiana since 2017 alone, helping to drive a major federal change in how the nation handles floods. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/climate/flooding-relocation-managed-retreat.html Press Releases EPA and USDA Announce Competition to Advance Agricultural Sustainability in the United States 08/26/2020 WASHINGTON (August 26, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a joint EPA-USDA partnership and competition to advance agricultural sustainability in the United States. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-usda-announce-competition-advance-agricultural-sustainability-united-states NFWF Announces $5.6 Million in Grants to Advance Longleaf Pine Habitat and Support Wildlife in Eight Southeast States WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 26, 2020) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $5.6 million in grants to restore, enhance and protect longleaf pine forests in eight Southeast states. The grants will generate more than $6.9 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $12.5 million. https://www.nfwf.org/media-center/press-releases/nfwf-announces-56-million-grants-advance-longleaf-pine-habitat-and-support-wildlife-eight-southeast Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality | 515 East Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201 Unsubscribe oliver.paladin.2297348308@blogger.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by rwilbur@mdeq.ms.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!