Mississippi Environmental News

Isaac

MEMA says work continues at 2 south Miss. dams

The Associated Press

JACKSON, MISS. — The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says the

release of water from two damaged dams in Lamar and Pike counties

continues.

http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/06/4168306/mema-says-work-continues-at-2.html

MEMA director visits two damaged Miss. dams

WLBT

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Robert Latham
visited two damaged Mississippi dams in Lamar and Pike counties Wednesday.

http://www.wlbt.com/story/19468060/mema-director-visits-two-damaged-miss-dams

Major disaster averted at Mississippi lake, officials say

Lake Tangipahoa drained to alleviate pressure on levees

WAPT

Emergency officials believe they have averted a major disaster at a state
lake ravaged by Hurricane Isaac's rains.

http://www.wapt.com/news/central-mississippi/Major-disaster-averted-at-Mississippi-lake-officials-say/-/9156946/16494124/-/tubtg6/-/index.html

Residents near dam evacuated
Pumps used to drain water from Oak Grove Lake, relieve pressure
Hattiesburg American

An earthen dam in the Lake Serene chain, damaged by the heavy rains of

Hurricane Isaac, showed further surface erosion Wednesday, forcing the

draining of Oak Grove Lake and the precautionary evacuation of nearby

residents.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120906/NEWS01/209060321/Residents-near-dam-evacuated

Oil from BP spill uncovered by Isaac's waves
Published September 05, 2012
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS – Waves from Hurricane Isaac uncovered oil previously buried
along Gulf Coast beaches, exposing crude that wasn't cleaned up after the
BP spill in 2010.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/05/bp-says-old-oil-from-spill-exposed-by-isaac/

Storm scatters tar balls buried since BP spill

Houma Today

By Nikki Buskey
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Hurricane Isaac's wind and waves unearthed oil buried since the 2010 BP oil

spill and scattered tar balls along Grand Isle, Elmer's Island and Fourchon

Beach.

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20120905/ARTICLES/120909859/-1/opinion?Title=Storm-scatters-tar-balls-buried-since-BP-spill

Speculation that oil unearthed by Isaac from BP oil spill
Published September 05, 2012
FoxNews.com

NEW ORLEANS – Weathered oil in the form of tar has washed up on some
Louisiana beaches from Gulf waters churned by Hurricane Isaac, prompting
restrictions of fishing in some waters and tests to determine whether the
source is submerged oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/05/old-oil-washes-up-in-la-after-hurricane-isaac/

MDEQ and MDMR reopen Bayou Casotte

The Associated Press

PASCAGOULA, MISS. — State agencies say it is once again OK to fish and swim

in Bayou Casotte and the adjacent waters of the Mississippi Sound.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi

Department of Marine Resources closed the Jackson County area to fishing

and water contact on Sunday, after investigating a fish kill.

http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/06/4168082/mdeq-and-mdmr-reopen-bayou-casotte.html

EPA waives clean gas standards in 8 states for 10 days, says Isaac could
cause shortage

By Associated Press, Published: September 5

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is temporarily waiving clean gas
requirements in eight states affected by Hurricane Isaac.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/epa-waives-clean-gas-standards-in-8-states-for-10-days-says-isaac-could-cause-shortage/2012/09/05/9353e9b8-f77d-11e1-a93b-7185e3f88849_story.html

Oil Spill

DOJ language crushes BP oil spill settlement hopes
Wed, Sep 5 2012

Reuters

By Sarah Young and Sinead Cruise

LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Hopes BP can settle early out of court on
liability for its 2010 U.S. Gulf oil spill looked forlorn on Wednesday
after U.S. prosecutors laid out a legal case for gross negligence on which
tens of billions of dollars hang.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/bp-oilspill-outlook-idUSL6E8K59CB20120905

BP shares dive amid tough talk on Gulf spill
AP

NEW YORK (AP) — The threat of big fines over the 2010 Gulf oil spill

depressed shares of BP PLC Wednesday.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-09-05/bp-shares-dive-amid-tough-talk-on-gulf-spill

Feds vow to prove BP's negligence in oil spill
CBS

(CBS/AP) NEW ORLEANS - The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to
ignore BP's assertion that the Gulf Coast's natural resources are making a
"robust recovery" from its massive 2010 oil spill.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57506574/feds-vow-to-prove-bps-negligence-in-oil-spill/

Feds urge judge to ignore BP's claim that Gulf is making 'robust recovery'
from 2010 oil spill

By Associated Press, Published: September 5

NEW ORLEANS — The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to ignore
BP's assertion that the Gulf Coast's natural resources are making a "robust
recovery" from its massive 2010 oil spill.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/feds-urge-judge-to-ignore-bps-claim-that-gulf-is-making-robust-recovery-from-2010-oil-spill/2012/09/05/708db6a4-f77b-11e1-a93b-7185e3f88849_story.html

Analysis: U.S. government attack on BP shows readiness for court battle
Reuters

2:06am EDT

By David Ingram

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In accusing BP Plc of gross negligence and willful
misconduct over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the U.S. Justice
Department has shown that it is prepared for a bruising court struggle with
the London-based oil giant.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/06/us-bp-oilspill-doj-idUSBRE88501H20120906

State News

City gets sewer upgrades
WTVA

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) — The Starkville Board of Aldermen voted 3-2
Tuesday to spend $1.5 million to improve the city's sewer system.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/City-gets-sewer-upgrades/zxhjnpdvg0mlrN36gB9khg.cspx

Grant to fund new pump station in local town
WTVA

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) — Work is expected to begin to improve
Smithville's sewer and water capacity, which should help ease the strain on
the existing system.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Grant-to-fund-new-pump-station-in-local-town/95G9DLYaSUCqfrpW0_jrTQ.cspx

National News

Exxon reports oil spill into Mississippi
Baton rouge ADVOCATE
September 06, 2012

Crews at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge refinery responded to a crude oil spill
of less than five barrels into the Mississippi River at the company's docks
Wednesday morning, company officials said.
http://theadvocate.com/home/3819941-125/exxon-reports-oil-spill-into

Federal regs force coal plant closures now, higher rates later, critics
warn
By Joshua Rhett Miller
Published September 05, 2012
FoxNews.com
advertisement
The closure of seven coal-fired electric plants in four states could be a
sign of things to come as tough new emissions standards threaten to
relegate America's top energy source to the back burner.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/05/coal-plant-closures-will-lead-to-increased-energy-rates-critics-say/?test=latestnews

For Farms in the West, Oil Wells Are Thirsty Rivals
NY Times
By JACK HEALY

GREELEY, Colo. — A new race for water is rippling through the

drought-scorched heartland, pitting farmers against oil and gas interests,

driven by new drilling techniques that use powerful streams of water, sand

and chemicals to crack the ground and release stores of oil and gas.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/us/struggle-for-water-in-colorado-with-rise-in-fracking.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print

Analysis: U.S. bankers say, love or hate it, ethanol here to stay
Reuters

5:16am IST

By Christine Stebbins

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Before the U.S. biofuels boom took off in 2007, the
food vs. fuel debate raged: can we afford to use corn for ethanol in a
starving world?

Five years later, farm bankers ask: can we afford not to?

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/us-usa-ethanol-farmbankers-idINBRE88413O20120905

Obama, EPA actions make cap-and-trade more likely
The Hill

By Zack Colman - 09/05/12 02:50 PM ET

President Obama's use of executive authority and his Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) interpretation of existing laws might have laid
the groundwork for renewed cap-and-trade efforts, political experts said
Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/247697-obama-epa-actions-make-cap-and-trade-more-likely

Press Releases

MEMA Director Visits Two Damaged Mississippi Dams

PEARL – Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Robert
Latham visited two damaged Mississippi dams in Lamar and Pike counties
today. Latham spoke with local and state officials to ensure all the needed
state resources were available to protect local residents, while officials
work to lower the water level on these two lakes.

Because it is uncertain how any additional rainfall may impact these dams,
work will continue until the risk to the public is eliminated.

Lamar County Dam: Federal, state and local officials are on scene assessing
the damage, and pumping water to relieve the pressure on the dam. Pumping
began last night with two-12 inch pumps. The pumps are moving approximately
6,000 to 8,000 gallons of water per minute. It is estimated that the water
level is dropping at a rate of about an inch per hour.

A precautionary evacuation of 14 homes below the Buccaneer Drive Dam on Oak
Grove Lake in Lamar County was issued by the Lamar County Emergency
Management Agency yesterday. A slide occurred on the dam Monday, and
further damage to the slide prompted the precautionary evacuation.

"After visiting Lake Serene today in Lamar County and talking with James
Smith, Lamar County EMA Director, I am confident that the decision to ask
some citizens to evacuate last night was the right call," said Latham.
"Efforts to reduce the water level continue. Even though the dam has not
breached, the slides caused by Hurricane Isaac have definitely affected the
integrity of the levee."

The dam has NOT been breached, but is being closely monitored.

Pike County Dam: Officials from the federal, state and local governments
remain on scene to assess the damage and pumping operations at the Pike
County dam. Responding agencies are evaluating the water levels to further
assess the damage.

Thirty-three pumps are pumping more than 140,000 gallons of water per
minute. The dam continues to hold.

###

In Support of Affected States, EPA Approves Temporary Fuel Waiver for 8
States Impacted by Hurricane Isaac

WASHINGTON - As a result of the disruption in the supply of fuel from
Gulf-area refineries following Hurricane Isaac, and at the request of
Governors, EPA has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to
temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for gasoline
sold and distributed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The disruption and delays in
production and delivery of gasoline resulted from effects of Hurricane
Isaac.

This waiver was granted by EPA in coordination with the Department of
Energy (DOE). EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined that extreme and
unusual supply circumstances exist, which may result in a temporary
shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations. The federal waiver
will help ensure an adequate supply of gasoline in the impacted states
until normal supply to the region can be restored.

The waiver applies to the use of low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) "summertime"
gasoline for the remainder of the "high ozone" period, which ends on Sept
15. Due to a number of continuing refinery outages caused by Hurricane
Isaac, and the slower-than-expected-pace of restarts of other Gulf-area
refineries, EPA determined that there would not be an adequate supply of
summertime gasoline for these states through Sept 15. The waiver allows
available supplies of higher RVP "wintertime" gasoline to be used prior to
the end of the high ozone period, in order to prevent a gasoline supply
shortfall in these states.

States bordering on this area are projected to have sufficient supplies of
compliant summertime fuel through the end of the high ozone period in two
weeks, and no shortages are expected to develop. However, EPA will continue
to actively monitor fuel supplies in these areas, and will act
expeditiously if needed to prevent a shortfall.

More information: http://epa.gov/enforcement/air/fuel-waivers.html

EPA Opens Registration for Campus RainWorks Design Challenge Competition

Contact Information: Davina Marraccini (News Media Only), (404) 562-8293,
marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – Sept. 6, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has opened registration for student teams from colleges and universities
across the country to participate in its new design competition, the Campus
RainWorks Challenge, through which teams will compete to develop innovative
approaches to stormwater management. This first annual competition, will
help raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges
and universities, and train the next generation of landscape architects,
planners, and engineers in green infrastructure principles and design.
Stormwater is a major cause of harmful water pollution in urban areas in
the U.S., impacting tens of thousands of miles of rivers, streams, and
coastal shorelines, as well as hundreds of thousands of acres of lakes,
reservoirs, and ponds.

Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit design plans for
a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Registration for
the Campus RainWorks Challenge is open from September 4 through October 5,
and entries must be submitted by December 14, 2012 for consideration.
Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013.
Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 - $2,500, as well as $8,000
- $11,000 in funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green
infrastructure. In 2013, EPA plans to expand Campus RainWorks by inviting
students to design and complete a demonstration project assessing
innovative green infrastructure approaches on their campus.

EPA is encouraging the use of green infrastructure as a solution to help
manage stormwater runoff. Green Infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and
natural processes to manage stormwater runoff at its source and provide
other community benefits. Green infrastructure is increasingly being used
to supplement or substitute for single-purpose "gray" infrastructure
investments such as pipes, and ponds. The Campus RainWorks Challenge will
help encourage the use of green infrastructure projects on college and
university campuses to manage stormwater discharges.

More information on the Campus RainWorks Challenge:

http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/crw_challenge.cfm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 p.m. Sept. 5, 2012

Media Contact:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Office of Communications: 601-576-7667

ISAAC: PREVENTING MOLD IN YOUR HOME

After all natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes and floods,
excess moisture and standing water can contribute to the growth of mold in
homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded,
be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.

The Mississippi State Department of Health does not offer mold inspection
or removal services, but educational information on recognizing mold,
protecting yourself and your family from its possible dangers, and
preventing its growth is included below.

People at Greatest Risk from Mold:
People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be
more sensitive to mold.
People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection,
cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an
organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.

Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure:
People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose,
irritated eyes, wheezing or skin irritation.
People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and
shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with
chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop
mold infections in their lungs.
If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to
mold, contact your doctor or other healthcare provider.

Recognizing Mold:
Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold
growth or water damage?
Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul
stench?

Safely Preventing Mold Growth:
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours).
Open doors and windows.
Use fans to dry out the building.
Fix any water problems such as leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing.
Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and
that cannot be thoroughly
cleaned and dried. This includes carpeting and carpet padding,
upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation
material, clothing, leather, paper, wood and food.
To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent
and water.
Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home
until insurance claims can
be filed.

Precautions When Cleaning Mold:
To limit exposure to airborne mold, wear an N-95 dust mask (available
at most hardware stores).
Goggles without ventilation holes are recommended to keep mold out of
your eyes.
Wear gloves and long clothing to keep mold off your skin.
Use of chemicals to kill mold is not recommended as a routine
practice.
For more information on protective equipment and the use of
disinfectants, refer to the
EPA document "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home".

Whom Do I Call If I Think I Have a Mold Problem?
The Mississippi State Department of Health does not offer mold inspection
or removal services.
Mold cleanup is the responsibility of the individual home or business
owner.
Private environmental firms provide mold inspection and removal
services.
Look in your local phone book's yellow pages under "Mold and Mildew
Services" to find a firm
near you.

Where Do I Go for More Information?
Environmental Protection Agency
1-800-438-4318
www.epa.gov/molds

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov/mold

For more information on this and other health topics visit us online at:
www.HealthyMS.com. Follow MSDH on Facebook and Twitter at:
www.HealthyMS.com/connect.

###

Mississippi Environmental News

Thursday, September 6, 2012

News Clippings 9-6-12

News Release: MDEQ AND MDMR REOPEN BAYOU CASOTTE

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

News Release: ISAAC: PREVENTING MOLD IN YOUR HOME