News Clippings 6.11.15

State



Want to learn all about flesh eating bacteria? Forum set for June 19 in
Gulfport
Mississippi Press


April M. Havens


June 10, 2015 at 11:45 AM


GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Want to learn about vibrio, the flesh eating
bacteria that's sometimes found in our Gulf Coast waters?
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Inc. is hosting an
educational on vibrio called "The Truth About Flesh Eating Bacteria" on
June 19 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/want_to_learn_all_about_flesh.html#incart_river







Health Department issues Code Orange for parts of the Mid-South


WREG


MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Health Department, The Arkansas
Department of Environmental Quality, the Arkansas Department of Health and
the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality have issued a Code
Orange Air Quality Advisory.
http://wreg.com/2015/06/10/health-department-issues-code-orange-for-parts-of-the-mid-south/





Conservation/recreation group to host clean up of Chickasawhay this weekend


WDAM


A newly-formed organization which promotes conservation of and recreation
on the Chickasawhay River is hosting a first-ever clean up event in Wayne
County this Saturday.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29289088/dozens-will-gather-to-clean-up-chickasawhay-this-weekend





Omega Protein vessel sunk for artificial reef in secret spot 20 miles south
of Pascagoula
Mississippi Press


April M. Havens


June 10, 2015 at 5:58 PM


MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- Omega Protein's retired fishing vessel Barataria
Bay was sunk approximately 20 miles from the mouth of the Pascagoula River
today for use as an artificial reef.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/omega_protein_vessel_sunk_in_g.html#incart_river





Oil Spill


Bryant says he'll bring $15 million to Coast to improve broadband access
Sun Herald
BY PAUL HAMPTON


Gov. Phil Bryant hopes to use the first wave of RESTORE Act money to
enhance broadband coverage on the Coast.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/06/10/6270124/bryant-says-hell-bring-15-million.html




BROADBAND TO GET $15M BOOST ON GULF COAST



MPB


The Mississippi Gulf Coast's broadband future is looking $15 million
sunnier. As MPB's Evelina Burnett reports, state leaders are hoping to
boost private broadband investment to help the coast catch up with its
competition.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/06/10/broadband-to-get-15m-boost-on-gulf-coast/





National





Congress Moving to Block EPA Regulation of Streams, Wetlands
WASHINGTON — Jun 10, 2015, 5:00 PM ET
By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press



Congressional Republicans are pushing to block an Obama administration rule
designed to protect water quality in small streams, tributaries and
wetlands before it goes into effect later this year.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/congress-moving-block-epa-regulation-streams-wetlands-31665302





Lawmakers spar over EPA's water rule
The Hill




Lawmakers sparred Wednesday over Environmental Protection Agency's "waters
of the United States" rule, with Republicans blasting the proposal as
overreach and their Democratic counterparts accusing them of hyperbole.
http://thehill.com/regulation/244540-senate-hearing-on-regulatory-overreach-centers-on-epa-water-rule





EPA Takes Aim at Airline Emissions

Finding concludes aircraft carbon emissions contribute to climate change
Wall Street Journal


WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday took its first
step toward regulating carbon emissions from airlines, one of a string of
actions by the Obama administration expected this summer to address climate
change with rules covering swaths of the U.S. economy.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-to-take-aim-at-airline-emissions-1433946834





House panel approves bill cutting EPA funding
The Hill




Appropriators teed up the latest congressional fight over the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday when a House panel approved a bill
with deep spending cuts for the agency and provisions blocking its
rule-making.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/244536-house-panel-approves-bill-cutting-epa-funding





Price Tag for California Oil Spill Cleanup: $69 Million So Far

About 76% of 97 miles of fouled coastline has been cleared of oil
AP


GOLETA, Calif.—The cost of cleaning up the oil spill that fouled beaches
last month on the Southern California coast has reached $69 million so far,
an official of the pipeline company said Wednesday.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/price-tag-for-california-oil-spill-cleanup-69-million-so-far-1433970299





New regs for Thursday: Hunting and fishing, drug-free workplaces,
efficiency
The Hill




Thursday's edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for hunting
and fishing, drug-free workplace requirements, and energy efficiency
standards for buildings.
http://thehill.com/regulation/244514-new-regs-for-thursday-hunting-and-fishing-drug-free-workplaces-efficiency





Press Releases


Crappie regulations could change on Mississippi lakes

JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
(MDWFP) Fisheries Bureau announced a proposal to change crappie regulations
on Arkabutla, Enid, Sardis, and Grenada Lakes, also known as the Flood
Control Reservoirs (FCRs), and Eagle Lake. The proposal for the FCRs will
make the regulations uniform across all of the lakes. The proposed rule
consists of making the minimum length crappie that anglers can keep 12
inches, setting the daily creel limit to 15 fish per angler, and limiting
the number of poles an angler can use to three. In addition, boats with 3
or more anglers will be able to keep 40 crappie per boat. Daily creel
limits in the FCRs' spillways, including Sardis Lower Lake, will be reduced
to15 fish per angler.


"The proposed rules for the FCRs are intended to maintain our top-ranked,
nationally recognized crappie fisheries", said Larry Pugh, MDWFP Fisheries
Bureau Director. "Having the same regulations on all of these lakes will
also simplify regulations for the anglers", added Pugh.


On Eagle Lake, the proposed crappie rule will impose an 11-inch minimum
length limit and reduce the daily creel limit to 30 fish per angler. "The
proposed rule will protect smaller fish from harvest and allow more fish to
grow to a larger size", said MDWFP Fisheries Biologist Jerry Brown. The
proposed rule change will be contingent upon Louisiana adopting the same
regulation, and will be effective October 1, 2015.


Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed change may do so in writing to
the Fisheries Bureau, MDWFP, 1505 Eastover Dr., Jackson, MS 39211, no later
than June 21, 2015.


For more information regarding fishing in Mississippi, visit our website at
www.mdwfp.com or call us at (601) 432-2212.
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| USDA Invests $6.7 Million in 544 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects |
| Nationwide |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Grants for renewable energy and conservation will cut energy costs, create jobs, |
| promote energy independence |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|WASHINGTON, June 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA|
|is investing more than $6.7 million in 544 renewable energy and energy efficiency |
|projects nationwide. |
| |
| |
|Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a visit to the Snake River Brewing |
|Company, in Jackson, Wyo. The company received a $13,810 USDA Rural Development Rural |
|Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a solar panel to generate energy for|
|the business. |
| |
| |
|"These grants will help farmers, ranchers and small business owners use more renewable |
|energy, which cuts carbon pollution, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, saves |
|businesses money on their energy bills and creates American jobs," Vilsack said. "All |
|of these are crucial components to developing healthier, more economically vibrant |
|rural communities." |
| |
| |
|REAP was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. REAP|
|funding has helped farmers expand renewable energy use in recent years. The new Census |
|of Agriculture shows the number of farms utilizing renewable energy production has |
|doubled in the last five years. |
| |
| |
|Since 2009, USDA has awarded $545 million to support more than 8,800 REAP projects |
|nationwide. This includes $361 million in grants and loans for almost 2,900 renewable |
|energy systems. For the remaining 5,900 projects, USDA provided $184 million to help |
|rural small businesses and agricultural producers make energy efficiency improvements |
|such as lighting; heating, ventilation and cooling; irrigation; insulation and motor |
|replacements. When fully operational, these projects are estimated to generate and save|
|7.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually – enough to power more than 660,000 |
|homes for a year. |
| |
| |
|Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make |
|energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, |
|wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean |
|energy, hydrogen and geothermal. |
| |
| |
|The awards list announced today is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of |
|the grant agreement. |
| |
| |
|President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities|
|stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, |
|businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way |
|– strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. |
| |
| |
|# |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|









EPA Takes First Steps to Address Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aircraft


Contact: Christie St. Clair (news media only), stclair.christie@epa.gov,
202-564-2880


ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
find under the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from
commercial aircraft contribute to the pollution that causes climate change
endangering the health and welfare of Americans. At the same time, the
agency is releasing information about the international process already
underway by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for
developing carbon dioxide (CO2) standards for aircraft and EPA's
participation in that process. EPA is now seeking public input to inform
future steps by the agency.

For the past five years, ICAO — a specialized body of the United Nations
with 191 member states — has been working with the aviation industry and
other stakeholders to develop coordinated, international CO2 emissions
standards for aircraft. EPA and the Federal Aviation Administration,
representing the United States, are participating in ICAO's process to
ensure that any standards achieve meaningful CO2 emissions reductions
through policies that are equitable across national boundaries.

The ICAO standards are expected to be adopted in early 2016. The items
issued today by EPA lay the necessary foundation for the development and
implementation of a domestic aircraft standard, in accordance with U.S. law
and the ICAO process.

U.S. aircraft emit roughly 11 percent of GHG emissions from the U.S.
transportation sector and 29 percent of GHG emissions from all aircraft
globally. In 2009, EPA determined that GHG pollution from cars and light
trucks threatens Americans' health and welfare by leading to long-lasting
changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects. Since
then, the body of science on human-induced climate change has strengthened,
supporting today's proposed finding — under a different section of the
Clean Air Act — that GHGs emitted from aircraft engines contribute to
pollution that causes climate change endangering public health and welfare.
Today's action supports the goals of the President's Climate Action Plan to
reduce emissions from large sources of carbon pollution.

Today's actions do not apply to small piston-engine planes (the type of
plane often used for recreational purposes), or to military aircraft.


Once this action is published in the Federal Register, it will be open for
a 60-day public comment period. Any future domestic actions toward aircraft
engine standards would also be open to public comment and review before
they could take effect.

For more information on the proposed contribution finding and the advance
notice of proposed rulemaking, visit http://epa.gov/otaq/aviation.htm.


EPA Recognizes Partners for Creating and Using Safer Choice Products


June 22 is the first annual awards ceremony for 2015 Safer Choice Partner
of the Year Award Winners


WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 21
Safer Choice Partner of the Year winners across 15 states for outstanding
achievement in the design, manufacture, promotion, and use of Safer Choice
products for the nation.


"These winners demonstrate that Safer Choice-labeled products, which are
safer for homes, schools, and workplaces and perform well, can also be good
for business," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "The name says it
all: Safer Choice products are safer for you, your kids, pets, co-workers,
communities and the environment. Our scientists employ a stringent set of
human health and environmental safety standards when reviewing products for
the Safer Choice program, so a product with the label is backed by EPA
science."


To qualify for the Safer Choice (formerly "Design for the Environment")
label, a product must meet EPA's Safer Choice Standard, a stringent human
and environmental health criteria. Currently, the Safer Choice Program has
nearly 500 formulator-manufacturer partners who make more than 2,000
products for retail and institutional customers.


Partner of the Year award winners represent a wide variety of leadership
organizations. Participants include Fortune 500 companies, small- and
medium-sized businesses, state governments, and non-governmental
organizations. The 2015 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards will be
presented at 2:00 p.m. on June 22, 2015, at the Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center in Washington, DC. The winners fall under the
following categories:


Safer Formulator-Manufacturer: Case Medical, Inc. (South Hackensack,
N.J.); Earth Friendly Products (Garden Grove, Calif.); Jelmar, LLC (Skokie,
Ill.); Osprey Biotechnics, Inc. (Sarasota, Fla.); The Sun Products
Corporation (Wilton, CT); and Wexford Labs, Inc. (Kirkwood, Mo.)


Safer Chemical Innovator: AkzoNobel (Chicago); Chemlink Laboratories
(Kennesaw, Ga.); and Stepan Company (Northfield, Ill.)


Purchaser/Distributor: District of Columbia Office of Contracting and
Procurement (Washington); GreenStar Hub (Forest Hills, N.Y.); PRIDE
Industries (Roseville, Calif.); and Solutex, Inc. (Sterling, Va.)


Retailer: Staples, Inc. (Framingham, Mass.); and Wegmans Food Markets
(Rochester, N.Y.)


Program Supporter: The Ashkin Group (Los Angeles); Consumer Specialty
Products Association (Washington, D.C.); GreenBlue (Charlottesville, Va.);
ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (Northbrook, Ill.);
Loyola University Chicago, Institute of Environmental Sustainability
(Chicago); and Washington State Department of Ecology/Northwest Green
Chemistry (Olympia, Wash.)


More on the 2015 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners, and
registration for the Awards Ceremony, can be found at
http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-choice-partner-year-awards.


Remember to look for the Safer Choice label, appearing on products and
store shelves nationwide starting this summer and fall.


EPA Releases EJSCREEN, An Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool


Washington — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released EJSCREEN, an environmental justice screening and mapping tool that
uses high resolution maps combined with demographic and environmental data
to identify places with potentially elevated environmental burdens and
vulnerable populations. EJSCREEN's simple to understand color-coded maps,
bar charts, and reports enable users to better understand areas in need of
increased environmental protection, health care access, housing,
infrastructure improvement, community revitalization, and climate
resilience.


"EJSCREEN provides essential information to anyone seeking greater
visibility and awareness about the impacts of pollution in American
communities," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "EJSCREEN has been a
valuable resource for EPA to advance our commitment to protect Americans
most vulnerable to pollution. I'm excited to share this tool with the
public to broaden its impact, build transparency, and foster collaboration
with partners working to achieve environmental justice.


"State environmental agencies appreciate EPA's collaborative work on the
use and release of this important tool," said Dick Pedersen, Director of
Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality and past President of the
Environmental Council of States. "Citizens having access to environmental
and demographic data is extremely important in helping states implement
environmental programs and ensure public health and environmental
protection for all. To that end, EJSCREEN facilitates vital citizen
engagement."


EJSCREEN can help governments, academic institutions, local communities,
and other stakeholders to highlight communities with greater risk of
exposure to pollution based on 8 pollution and environmental indicators,
including traffic proximity, particulate matter, and proximity to superfund
sites. These indicators are combined with demographic data from the U.S.
Census Bureau American Community 5-year Summary Survey enabling users to
identify areas with minority or low-income populations who also face
potential pollution issues.


EJSCREEN's capabilities could provide support for educational programs,
grant writing, and community awareness efforts so that users can
participate meaningfully in decision-making processes that impact their
health and environment. While EJSCREEN is being shared publicly to improve
work on environmental justice, EPA is not mandating state governments or
other entities use the tool or its underlying data.


EJSCREEN does not direct EPA decisions; it does not provide a basis for
identifying areas as EJ communities, and it is not an appropriate
standalone tool for making a risk assessment. As a screening tool, its data
may have levels of uncertainty, and is therefore incomplete in capturing
the total number of pollution problems people face.


Today's release of EJSCREEN initiates a stakeholder engagement period over
the next six months. EPA will collect feedback on the datasets and design
of the tool – as well as how it could be further enhanced – and will
release a revised version in 2016.


Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people, regardless of race or income with respect to the
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies. EPA's goal is to provide all people with equal
access to the environmental decision-making process to maintain a healthy
environment in which to live, learn, and work.


To access the tool, visit: http://www2.epa.gov/ejscreen.

News Clippings 6.10.15

State



Hernando taps into state program to redevelop contaminated properties


Commercial Appeal



Hernando, already noted across the state for earth-friendly programs and
priorities, is the first jurisdiction in North Mississippi to sign up for a
state "brownfields" program to entice private-sector developers to clean up
and reuse contaminated sites.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/desoto/hernando-taps-into-state-program-to-redevelop-contaminated-properties_38387585





One water quality advisory lifted, one still in effect in Gulfport


Sun Herald




One water-contact advisory has been lifted in Gulfport but one remains,
officials with the state Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/06/09/6268591/one-water-quality-advisory-lifted.html





Oil Spill





Gov. Bryant announces broadband investment of $15 million


WLOX




It's an investment in technology and economic development. Tuesday morning,
Gov. Phil Bryant announced that $15 million in Restore Act money will go
toward developing a broadband corridor along the Gulf Coast.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29279218/gov-bryant-announces-broadband-investment-of-15-million





Mississippi to put up $15 million for broadband connectivity incentives,
governor says
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
June 09, 2015 at 3:31 PM

GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Mississippi will invest $15 million to help build
a broadband corridor along the coast that will help drive education,
healthcare, innovation and the overall economy, Gov. Phil Bryant said
today.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/mississippi_to_put_up_15_milli.html#incart_river






Louisiana reopens state waters closed after 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil
spill

AP



BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Louisiana wildlife and fisheries regulators have
reopened state waters in the Gulf of Mexico that were previously closed
because of oiling from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/380a2908fa5247d29789555d87bf1dc7/LA--BP-Oil-Spill-State-Waters





National





Obama Administration Readies Big Push on Climate Change

Proposals to curb emissions from trucks, airplanes, oil and natural-gas
operations, and power plants
Wall Street Journal


The Obama administration is planning a series of actions this summer to
rein in greenhouse-gas emissions from wide swaths of the economy, including
trucks, airplanes and power plants, kicking into high gear an ambitious
climate agenda that the president sees as key to his legacy.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-readies-big-push-on-climate-change-1433873269





Appeals Court Dismisses Challenge to EPA's Climate Rule

Judges say lawsuit brought by coal-dependent states, mining companies was
premature
Wall Street Journal


WASHINGTON—A federal appeals court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to an
Obama administration proposal to cut carbon emissions from U.S. power
plants, ruling the lawsuit was premature.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/appeals-court-dismisses-challenge-to-epas-climate-rule-1433861126





Appeals Court Tosses Suits Challenging Climate Change Plan
WASHINGTON — Jun 9, 2015, 12:23 PM ET


By SAM HANANEL Associated Press


A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out a pair of high-profile
lawsuits challenging the Obama administration's sweeping plan to address
climate change, saying it's too early to challenge a proposed rule that
isn't yet final.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/appeals-court-tosses-suits-challenging-climate-change-plan-31636065





House Republicans would cut EPA spending 9 percent


AP


WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans proposed a spending bill Tuesday that
cuts the budget at the Environmental Protection Agency by 9 percent and
tries to prevent the Obama administration from enacting several
regulations.


http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/house-republicans-would-cut-epa-spending-9-percent/





GOP appropriators look to block EPA rules
The Hill




House appropriators want to use a funding bill to block several
controversial Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, Republicans on
the committee announced Tuesday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/244395-gop-appropriators-look-to-block-epa-rules





GOP readies assault on Obama's climate agenda
The Hill




Senate Republicans are poised to launch a series of attacks aimed squarely
at President Obama's climate change initiative, as the Environmental
Protection Agency moves forward this summer with a host of new regulations.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/244481-gop-readies-assault-on-obamas-climate-agenda





EPA to formally propose ethanol standard
The Hill




The public comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s
proposed ethanol blending standard three years will formally begin
Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/244413-epa-to-formally-propose-ethanol-standard





Press Releases


Research group heads back to Gulf for further assessment of oil spill
effects


HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -




This is a news release from The University of Southern Mississippi.




A team comprised of University of Georgia researchers and colleagues in the
ECOGIG -- Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf -- Research
Consortium has neared the midway point in a three-and-half-week-long
research cruise on board the R/V Endeavor, a vessel owned by the National
Science Foundation and operated by the University of Rhode Island.




The team took a short break on Monday to host a media and education day
Gulfport, Miss. Following that interlude the research cruise will resume in
the Gulf of Mexico as the team continues to assess the ecological impacts
of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident. Over a period of 84 days, the
Macondo well site discharged 210 million gallons of oil and more than
175,000 metric tons of methane gas into the Gulf.




The cruise will allow the scientists to collect water column and sediment
samples at Macondo impacted sites, other anthropogenically impacted sites,
natural hydrocarbon seeps and control sites to track Macondo impacts and
compare the processes observed in Macondo-influenced areas to natural seeps
and control sites.




The media and education day, which coincides with World Oceans Day, took
place dockside at the R/V Endeavor in the Port of Gulfport. The R/V Point
Sur (owned by The University of Southern Mississippi) was also in port for
the event.




The ceremony included a press briefing, ship tour, opportunities to
interview the scientists and a World Oceans Day activity with children from
the local Boys and Girls Clubs, who toured the ships, learned about marine
science and participated in a hands-on activity with model remotely
operated vehicles used in deep sea research.




The ECOGIG consortium is led by project director Samantha Joye, professor
of marine sciences at the University of Georgia and leading scientist in
Gulf of Mexico ecosystem research. The chief scientist on this research
cruise is Joe Montoya of the Georgia Institute of Technology.




ECOGIG is a research consortium investigating the impacts of the 2010
Deepwater Horizon oil spill on deepwater ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico.
ECOGIG is one of 12 research consortia funded under the Gulf of Mexico
Research Initiative. GoMRI is a 20-member independent research board
created to allocate funds committed by BP for independent research programs
following the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and
subsequent Macondo well blowout.




For more information about the research vessels, see
http://techserv.gso.uri.edu/ andhttps://www.usm.edu/marine/rv-point-sur.


http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29269868/research-group-heads-back-to-gulf-for-further-assessment-of-oil-spill-effects

News Clippings 6.9.15

State
Hattiesburg council reconsiders land application for wastewater issues


WDAM


The Hattiesburg City Council approved a resolution Monday that authorizes
the mayor to negotiate a task order and provide selection of a program
manager to help the city implement a land application system to treat and
dispose of the city's wastewater.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29270107/hattiesburg-council-reconsiders-land-application-for-wastewater-issues





Council amends land application request


Hattiesburg American



Hattiesburg City Council corrected an error Monday afternoon in procedure
and separation of legislative/executive duties within the city.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/08/city-council-amends-request/28721145/





Meridian Garbage Collection: Improving Efficiency

WTOK


As many residents continue with spring cleaning, tips are being offered to
help improve garbage pick-up service(Embedded image moved to file:
pic32609.jpg) in Meridian.

http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Garbage-Collection-306527201.html





Litter patrol now on duty
DeSoto Times


Litterers beware, DeSoto County law enforcement officials are going to be
on the lookout for you.


http://www.desototimes.com/news/litter-patrol-now-on-duty/article_51160ab8-0e36-11e5-95eb-cb47e2800095.html





ACEC 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards
Mississippi Business Journal


SIMPLY the BEST
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Mississippi recently
presented its 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards to seven Mississippi
firms. The annual awards gala was held at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown
Jackson. Photographs courtesy of ACEC/MS


Grand Award
FTM Associates won a Grand Award for Dam Hazard Classification Assistance
for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Pictured, from
left: Rand Reed, FTN Associates; Drew Moffitt, FTN Associates; Mar Johnson,
FTN Associates; Dusty Meyers, Chief, Dam Safety Division, Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality, and David Bowman, ACEC/MS
president-elect.


http://msbusiness.com/2015/06/acec-2015-engineering-excellence-awards/





Oil Spill


Flurry of activity at Port of Gulfport


WLOX




One large vessel is in the ship channel waiting to pull into the Port of
Gulfport while another big ship is moving out. There is a flurry of
activity at the port right now.
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/29267585/flurry-of-activity-at-port-of-gulfport





National





Vitter, Whitehouse join to resurrect estuaries law
Bruce Alpert
Times-Picayune
June 09, 2015 at 6:10 AM

WASHINGTON – Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., are
asking their Senate colleagues to reauthorize a 1987 federal law designed
to protect and restore estuaries.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/vitterwhitehouse_disagree_on_m.html#incart_river





G-7 Adds Thrust to UN Climate Talks With Ambitious Target

World leaders also reiterate their intention to extend sanctions against
Russia over Ukraine
Wall Street Journal


The Group of Seven large industrialized democracies said the world should
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 70%, an agreement that helps
lay the groundwork for United Nations climate talks in Paris later this
year.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/g-7-adds-thrust-to-un-climate-talks-with-ambitious-target-1433780975





Opinion






Wicker: Water Rule Defies Americans' Concerns, Limits on Federal Power


Administration's Overreach Could Have Far-Reaching Consequences

In April of last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to redefine the "waters of the
United States" (WOTUS).
http://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ID=e771e7cc-32df-4834-9743-bf25d19bf7a8




Press Releases





Mississippi River Basin Watershed Initiative Funds Available for
Mississippi Delta





Jackson, Miss. – The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the
Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) through the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).





The MRBI program will assist landowners and producers that voluntarily
implement conservation and management practices that help to control
nutrient runoff from agricultural lands. It will help to improve water
quality in five Mississippi watersheds within the Mississippi River Basin
that feed into the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.





This financial assistance program is targeted for five Mississippi
watersheds within the Mississippi River Basin. The watersheds include
Christmas Lake Bayou, Stillwater Bayou, Brook Bayou, Tommie Bayou and Long
Lake that are in portions of Bolivar, Sunflower and Washington counties.
The project will provide an investment of $1.9 million in 2015 to
Mississippi Delta growers.





The application deadline is July 17, 2015.





Producers can apply for financial assistance by contacting the NRCS office
in their local USDA Service Center. To locate an office, please go to
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. For more information, visit
our website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ms/home/.










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