By Sarita Chourey – Online Athens – June 10, 2013
Days after a federal judge approved a settlement to allow the deepening of the Savannah River, a new conflict has landed in court. But instead of a 38-mile stretch of river, business and environmental interests are now clashing over the fate of 700 acres of sensitive freshwater wetlands. The land sits west of U.S. 17 before the Talmadge Bridge and adjacent to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County, S.C. For full story, click here. |
By Craig Pittman – The Ledger – June 16, 2013
Florida's top environmental regulator has denied a permit for a controversial wetlands project, saying it failed to offer a reasonable assurance that it would work. The decision late Friday by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard Jr. in effect upholds the warnings of the DEP's top wetlands expert, Connie Bersok, who was relieved of duty, investigated and taken off the case last year. For full story, click here. |
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Monday, 17 June 2013 00:00 |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) has two vacancies for a Biologist/Ecologist located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a Biologist/Ecologist in the Environmental Science and Engineering Division, you will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are engaged in a broad range of environmental compliance studies. The work is primarily focused on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental compliance regulations and Executive Orders (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, 404 Wetland Permitting, etc.) and requires using environmental analysis to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of transportation projects. The Biologist/Ecologist must exercise discretion and judgment in modifying standard methods, practices, and techniques to address evolving environmental issues or problems. You will have responsibility for planning, designing, scheduling, and carrying out programs, projects, studies, associated with environmental regulatory and compliance evaluations; risk assessments; assessments of past environmental practices; remediation planning associated with hazardous materials and waste projects; and pollution prevention evaluation and planning. For more information, click here. Job number: RITA.VOLPE-2013-0108. |
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Monday, 10 June 2013 14:04 |
By Juliet Eilperin – The Washington Post – June 9, 2013Five Democratic senators are asking President Obama to consider blocking a proposed mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay, a move that could heighten pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency to veto the project. In a letter Monday, the group of senators from Washington, Oregon and California, led by Maria Cantwell (Wash.), argue that their states could suffer economically if a huge gold-and-copper mine moves forward. The EPA is conducting a scientific review of how the project, underwritten by mining giants Northern Dynasty and Anglo American, would affect the region’s aquatic life. For full story, click here.
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Monday, 10 June 2013 13:36 |
Indiana University News Release – June 6, 2013New research by an Indiana University scientist reveals the value of restoring wetlands and riparian habitat on agricultural lands. The study is among the first to demonstrate the water quality benefits of converting farmland back to natural habitats. For full news release, click here.
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Monday, 10 June 2013 13:33 |
By Ben Raines – All Alabama – June 5, 2013 – Opinion
After months of deliberation, federal officials released a draft version of the "Initial Comprehensive Plan: Restoring the Gulf Coast's Ecosystem and Economy," which details how the RESTORE Act funds will be spent along the Gulf Coast. While full of broad goals and lots of language about ensuring the Gulf region is restored and becomes more resilient, the plan fails to do the one thing that could accomplish those goals. Put simply, the plan does not require the Gulf states to spend a nickel buying and protecting coastal marshes, wetlands or beaches. For full story, click here.
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