Thursday, April 2, 2020

MDEQ Guidance to the Regulated Community Regarding Compliance with Regulatory Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic

News Clippings April 2, 2020

State

WIPES NOT SUITED FOR SEWERS
Bolivar Commercial

People have heavily stockpiled disinfectant wipes in the last few weeks due to concerns of the coronavirus.

More than $51 million in GOMESA funds available for Mississippi
WLOX

GULF COAST, Miss. (WLOX) - More than $51 million has been awarded to Mississippi through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act to fund projects that could help protect our coastal environment

‘Between a rock and a hard place:’ IMMS braces for possible reopening of Bonnet Carré Spillway
WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Wednesday was release day for Larsen and Livvy. The pair of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were found stranded last fall shortly after the closing of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

Surge locally on the Mississippi River, Delta Coming
Vicksburg Post

The Mississippi River is expected to crest April 7 at 50 feet and then begin falling, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service Ofce in Jackson said.

Predators: How some of them affect turkeys may surprise you
Clarion Ledger

Unlike deer in Mississippi, turkeys face the danger of predators at every stage of their lives.
In fact, the greatest threat of predation occurs before they are even born. Some of the most successful predators may come as a surprise.


State Government

Mississippi gov sets statewide stay-home order amid virus
AP

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday that he is ordering people statewide to stay at home to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Gov. Tate Reeves announced all places of amusement and recreation will shut down in Miss.
WLOX

JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) - Despite a meeting conducted earlier by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors that said groups of more than ten people will be prohibited on beaches in the county, Gov. Tate Reeves announced a stricter policy. In his press briefing on Wednesday, Reeves said that all beaches in the state of Mississippi will be closed to the public.

Governor’s shelter-in-place order will close all boating, most recreation at Barnett Reservoir
WJTV

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Under a statewide shelter-in-place order issued by Gov. Tate Reeves on Wednesday, most recreational opportunities at Barnett Reservoir will be closed from 5 p.m. on Friday until further notice.

Coronavirus in Mississippi: What we know Thursday
Clarion Ledger

This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Mississippi. 


Regional

Judge allows Sterigenics to resume full operations in Cobb
AJC

A federal judge has granted a request by a medical sterilizer in Cobb to resume full operations immediately by issuing a temporary restraining order against the county, which had sought to limit its activities. 

Prehistoric forest of massive trees found buried in sea floor off Alabama, NOAA says
Sun Herald

An ancient forest has been found “entombed” in the floor of the Gulf of Mexico off Alabama, prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to orchestrate a study of the haunting site.

 
National

EPA Cracking Down on Misbranded Coronavirus Treatment Products
Bloomberg

The EPA is stepping up enforcement against products making unproven antiviral or disinfectant claims in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coalition petitions EPA for disclosure as agency OKs suspension of environmental monitoring
The Hill

A coalition of environmental groups is petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more stringent disclosure following a memo from the agency that allows companies to suspend monitoring for pollution during the coronavirus pandemic. 

EPA finds asbestos poses cancer risks for workers, reigniting calls for ban
The Hill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that asbestos poses an unreasonable risk of cancer to both workers and consumers who inhale it, ramping up pressure on the agency to ban the substance. 


Wednesday, April 1, 2020

News Clippings April 1, 2020

State

Bonnet Carré Spillway is set to open again this week, officials say. Here are the details.
Sun Herald

On top of the novel coronavirus, South Mississippi has a familiar enemy to deal with: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway as early as Friday, Joe Spraggins says.

Army Corps of Engineers could open Bonnet Carre Spillway Friday
WVUE

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says new Mississippi River projections could force them to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway as early as this week.

Bright Future: Cathedral senior wins Best in Show at state junior duck stamp competition
Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The state’s Best of Show winner in the Mississippi Junior Duck Stamp program, Olivia Waycaster, said she simply tried to do her best work after realizing how difficult the competition was last year.
 

State Government

State senators ask Gov. Reeves to close coastal beaches to all non-residents
WLOX

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) -Six members of the Coast legislative delegation say it’s time to keep outsiders off Mississippi’s beaches.

Gov. Reeves issues shelter-in-place order due to COVID-19 cases
WTOK

JACKSON,Miss. (WTOK) - Gov. Tate Reeves Tuesday issued a shelter-in-place order for Lauderdale County due to the increase in identified cases. That number stood at 35 as of Tuesday morning.

Coronavirus in Mississippi: What we know Wednesday
Clarion Ledger

This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest news about coronavirus and its effects in Mississippi. 

MDWFP gives update on COVID-19 response
WJTV

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will make the following temporary changes to its business operations due to the coronavirus effective immediately. These changes are effective April 1 and will remain in effect until further notice.


Regional

Trash firms try to keep workers safe from coronavirus as 'stay at home' means more household waste
NOLA.com

The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on large sections of the American economy, bringing some segments to a near halt. But residential garbage pickup has seen a surge of additional work as people stay home, and worries about potential infections have forced trash companies to take new steps to protect workers.


National

EPA making sure disinfectant products are available to use against coronavirus
WIAT

WASHINGTON (WIAT) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking further action to help ease the production and availability of EPA-registered disinfectants.

When Does Recycling Your Plastic Make Sense? The Answer Isn’t So Simple
PBS

When you throw away a plastic container, how do you decide whether to toss it in the trash or into a recycling bin? If you find the choice puzzling, you’re not alone. A 2014 poll found that 65 percent of consumers didn’t understand which plastics could be recycled. Drawing from interviews with recycling and waste management experts, FRONTLINE found the answer to that and other key questions below.

Despite EPA decision, Virginia says polluters must ‘make every effort’ to comply with environmental regulations
Virginia Mercury

Virginia will not relax its enforcement of environmental regulations despite an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week that it won’t impose civil penalties on polluting facilities that don’t comply with routine monitoring and reporting obligations during the coronavirus pandemic.


Press Releases

EPA Takes Action to Assure Availability of Disinfectant Products for Use Against the Novel Coronavirus
03/31/2020

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking further action to help ease the production and availability of EPA-registered disinfectants.

Secretary Bernhardt Announces $227 Million for State Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Projects
$57 Million Increase in Funding to States from the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
3/31/2020
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt today announced $227,125,000 will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia for specified park and outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

Mississippi
$2,663,371