Friday, June 4, 2021

News Clippings June 4, 2021

State

$2.7 million in GOMESA Funds approved for Bay St. Louis
WXXV

Governor Tate Reeves stopped by the City of Bay St. Louis to announce the plans for the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act Project.

Long Beach harbor to get $2.1M in GOMESA funds to build back stronger following Hurricane Zeta damage
WLOX

LONG BEACH, Mississippi (WLOX) - A revitalization is on the horizon in Long Beach. The small craft harbor was torn apart during Hurricane Zeta and clean up efforts have not been easy. Now, state reinforcements are on the way.

Starkville dedicates new water treatment facility
WCBI

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Starkville now has one of the most advanced water treatment systems in the state.

Mississippi Aquarium hosting beach cleanup in honor of World Ocean Day
WXXV

World Ocean Day is June 8th and the Mississippi Aquarium is hosting a beach cleanup in honor of the day.

National Forests in Mississippi officials speak out on illegal dump waste
WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - National Forests in Mississippi Officials are reminding the public that it is illegal to dump waste on national forest lands.

Waste Management readies for hurricane season, offers tips on how you can too
SuperTalk

You may have your evacuation plan ready as hurricane season begins, but what about your trash plan?

Elvis Presley Lake to be drained for renovation project
WTVA

TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Elvis Presley Lake will be drained for renovations, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks announced Thursday.

Gas leak at Comfort Inn and Suites in Gulfport sends five to hospital
WXXV

Several guests were evacuated from a Gulfport hotel this afternoon following a gas leak.
Harrison County Fire Rescue and AMR responded to multiple medical emergencies at the Gulfport Comfort Inn and Suites around 12:30 today.

Mississippi shrimp season opens June 10
WXXV

BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has set the opening date of the 2021-2022 shrimp season in state territorial waters for 6 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021.

Preparing for the 2021 Shrimp Season on the Gulf Coast
WXXV

Shrimpers across South Mississippi are continuing to make their preparations for the 2021 Shrimp Season.

As fishermen grow older, who will catch the Gulf’s bounty?
Clarion Ledger

Ryan Bradley is a fisherman. He was born and raised in Long Beach, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico. All year long, he takes a 32-foot catamaran, with a crew of one or two, into the Gulf to catch red snapper. A day or a day-and-half after setting out, he returns with whole fish that he sells to restaurants throughout Mississippi.

Kayak, canoe in Mississippi: What you need to know about paddling trails, newest blueway
Clarion Ledger

The number of paddling trails for kayakers and canoers is continuing to increase in Mississippi as the interest in outdoor activities grows.
...The Delta paddling trails also include one on the Pearl River; however, the stretch of river it's on has been polluted by sewage from Jackson and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued a warning that people should avoid contact with the water in that area.

Have you seen this bird? Why Mississippi wants sightings of swallow-tailed kites reported
Clarion Ledger

Swallow-tailed kites are often referred to as the coolest birds on Earth. If you happen to spot one in Mississippi, biologists want to know in an effort to help protect and grow the population.

Flood insurance rates changing for Mississippi homeowners
Picayune Item

More than 63,000 Mississippi homeowners currently have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).


Regional

The low-oxygen Gulf 'dead zone' could be three times the size of Rhode Island; here's why
NOLA.com

The 2021 summertime "dead zone" along the Louisiana and Texas coast lines — an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and bottom-living organisms — is predicted to cover 4,880 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico's water bottom, according to NOAA scientists. 

NC Senate nixes environment chief, but Cooper rehires her
AP

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A sharply divided North Carolina Senate on Thursday formally rejected Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s choice to lead his environmental department, with Republicans who insisted the nominee was ill-prepared for the post winning the vote.


National

White House requests $2.8 billion for parks, conservation projects
The Hill

The Biden administration is proposing $2.8 billion for the departments of Interior and Agriculture to fund national park programs and conservation projects across the country, the agencies announced Thursday.

US seeks bids to manage underground nuclear waste dump
AP

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department is seeking bids to manage the federal government’s only underground nuclear waste repository amid efforts to rebound from a pandemic-related slowdown and as work continues to replace the facility’s ventilation system following a 2014 radiation release that forced a nearly three-year closure.

Algae blooms close 5 Madison-area beaches
AP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Algae blooms have forced health officials to close five Madison-area beaches.


Press releases

Free Fishing Weekend June 5 and 6, Free Saltwater Sport Fishing Day July 4
June 3, 2021

BILOXI, Miss. – The first weekend of National Fishing and Boating Week in June of each year is designated as Free Fishing Weekend.

NOAA forecasts average-sized ‘dead zone’ for the Gulf of Mexico
June 3

NOAA scientists are forecasting this summer’s Gulf of Mexico hypoxic area or “dead zone” — an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life — to be approximately 4,880 square miles. The 2021 forecasted area is smaller than, but close to the five-year average measured size of 5,400 square miles.