State
MDEQ Issues Six Beach Water Contact Advisories
WXXV
(Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued six water contact advisories Thursday for Station 4, Station 6, Station 7A, Station 8, Station 9, and Station 10.
Manager: Staff Shortage, Contractors’ Practices Affect City’s Solid Waste Management
Jackson Free Press
Solid Waste Division Manager Lakesha Weathers has been with the City of Jackson for 22 years and has been in the solid waste division for 11 years. In this Feb. 16 interview, she discusses the crisis of illegal dumping in the city, who is responsible for it, and how she plans to solve it, which she said involves ramping up educational campaigns.
Miss. one of 21 GOP-led states suing Biden over Keystone XL rejection
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) Mississippi is among 21 other states suing the Biden Administration over the Keystone XL Pipeline.
City-owned sewer line creates sinkhole under family’s 60-year home
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - We all notice a leaky pipe from time to time, but a Jackson woman has endured the stench of a busted sewer line under her home for two years.
This Biloxi High teacher made her own marine biology textbooks before there were any
Sun Herald
For decades, Della McCaughan presided over a Biloxi High School classroom filled with horseshoe crabs and catfish in aquariums. She lead her students on exploratory beach walks, always with her hair styled in a beehive.
State Government
Mother and son in Mississippi indicted on fraud charges
AP
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal grand jury in has indicted a mother and son on wire fraud and other charges that accuse them of improperly obtaining millions of dollars from the state of Mississippi.
Oil Spill
Living shoreline coming to Pensacola Bay
WKRG
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced a $9 million project Thursday to construct a living shoreline at White Island.
Regional
Environmental group, community activists petition EPA to block Georgia wood pellet plant
The Hill
An environmental advocacy group has joined with local activists to petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block the construction of a wood pellet plant in south Georgia, arguing its permit was secured without community input and threatens public health.
Known For Its Floods, Louisiana Is Running Dangerously Short Of Groundwater
NPR
Louisiana is known for its losing battle against rising seas and increasingly frequent floods. It can sometimes seem like the state has too much water. But the aquifers deep beneath its swampy landscape face a critical shortage.
National
Climate change returns to EPA's website: "It's not optional, it's essential"
CBS
Landfills are leaking PFAS 'forever chemicals' in 41 Minnesota counties
Star Tribune
Dozens of closed dumps are leaking high levels of the toxic man-made PFAS "forever chemicals" into groundwater around Minnesota, and pollution regulators want more money to determine the full scope of the problem.
Press Releases
EPA Recognizes Georgia-Pacific Cellulose in New Augusta, Mississippi for Achieving 2020 ENERGY STAR® Certification
03/18/2021
ATLANTA (March 18, 2021) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Georgia-Pacific Cellulose located in New Augusta, Mississippi earned ENERGY STAR certification.
Drought May Lead to Elevated Levels of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Private Domestic Wells
USGS
A new U.S. Geological Survey study highlights the importance of homeowners testing their well water to ensure it is safe for consumption, particularly in drought-prone areas.
USDA Announces $218 Million Investment in Land and Water Conservation
USDA
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the USDA Forest Service will invest more than $218 million to fund Great American Outdoors Act projects to conserve critical forest and wetland habitat, support rural economic recovery, and increase public access to national forests and grasslands.
Interior Department Announces Details for Public Forum on Federal Oil and Gas Program
3/18/2021
WASHINGTON – The Interior Department today released additional information about the upcoming virtual forum regarding the federal oil and gas program, including the public’s viewing options and ability to submit written input to inform Interior’s review.
