Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

EPA Sued Over Mississippi River Pollution and Associated Gulf of Mexico "Dead Zone"
On March 13, a coalition of environmental organizations filed two separate legal actions against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lawsuits address nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) pollution in the Mississippi River Basin, and the associated, low-oxygen hypoxic zone or “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. One of the lawsuits, challenges EPA’s denial of a 2008 petition asking EPA to establish numeric water quality limits (or standards) for and stream restoration plans relating to nitrogen and phosphorous pollution. A second lawsuit seeks to compel EPA to respond to a 2007 request (or "petition") that the agency update its wastewater treatment plant water quality standards to include provisions for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous. For more details, including links to the two lawsuits and to over 20 related news releases and articles, see here.

Army Corps Developing Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy - Comments Due by April 15
The Panama Canal expansion will almost triple the size of container vessels able to transit the canal. In anticipation of a projected 2014 completion of the canal expansion effort, on December 21, 2011, Congress directed the Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources (IWR) to submit a report by June 20, 2012 to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees “on how the Congress should address the critical need for additional port and inland waterway modernization to accommodate post-Panamax vessels.”

In response to that directive, the IWR is investigating the impacts of the Panama Canal expansion on future U.S. marine transportation system needs. Specifically, IWR is evaluating the costs associated with deepening and widening deep-draft harbors; ability of inland waterways and ports to enhance export initiatives benefiting the agricultural and manufacturing sectors; current and projected population trends that might predict regional port maintenance and expansion needs; availability of inland intermodal access; and environmental impacts resulting from the modernization.

The IWR study team will accept additional information and feedback through April 15 for consideration in its initial drafts of the strategy document. Interested persons can visit this U.S. Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy web page for further information. 

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week

Agriculture -

• New report on the "complex and dynamic local food systems in Minnesota" http://bit.ly/wb4Zhq (PDF file)
• USGS in Journal of Environmental Quality: herbicide atrazine poses little threat to rural groundwater http://bit.ly/w5fZ5k  (PDF)
• Much of 6.5M acres in USDA's conservation reserve program will likely return to cropland after Sept 30 CRP  expiration http://bit.ly/y3AnJb
• USDA's ERS releases updated map on direct payments & possible role for federal farm program environmental compliance http://1.usa.gov/AjEHci
• USDA’s Economic Research Service releases “The Future of Environmental Compliance Incentives in U.S. Agriculture” http://1.usa.gov/xtAI9R
• Construction starts on Iowa cellulosic ethanol plant http://bit.ly/zgOYy0 and  http://bit.ly/AxPhIq
• Kane County Illinois Farm Bureau president: ethanol is responsible for holding corn prices up http://bit.ly/wFrBCy
• GOP Presidential Candidate Romney's agriculture policy group is decidedly non-corn http://bit.ly/wITZDm
• Farmgateblog: Farmland an investment like any other and its value can erode over time-literally http://bit.ly/w0oHpI
• Value of Iowa farmland continues to grow at an average annual rate of > 20% http://dmreg.co/xAWvHR

Farm Bill-

• Sen. Harkin (D-IA) hedges just a bit: "possibly a good chance" "outside chance"  "we could pass a farm bill this year" http://bit.ly/wc3M9k
• Former NRCS official: we no longer have consensus that programs to support various agri commodities should be the same http://bit.ly/z1dWpq
• Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE): If a Farm Bill passes the Senate, a bill will take place this year http://bit.ly/xDLQsO
• Big city mayors send letter on Farm Bill priorities to House and Senate Ag Committee leaders http://bit.ly/w6FcvD (PDF file)
• Commodity groups oppose linking conservation compliance to crop insurance but issue is missing from Farm Bill debate http://bit.ly/zFQ96t
• 13 witnesses testify at Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on risk management/commodities and next Farm Bill http://bit.ly/y0Pn74

Water Quality -

• EPA launches new nutrient pollution policy and data website for information on EPA & state nutrient control efforts http://1.usa.gov/wqewC5
• Chicago and the Gulf Dead Zone: NRDC Lawsuits Address Downstream Damage http://bit.ly/xImUDc
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: Water pollution from agriculture costing $ billions/yr http://bloom.bg/wioehs

Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, etc.) -

• Army Corps U.S. Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy environmental issues meeting synopsis http://bit.ly/w9w0m5 (PDF)
• Two constructed Ohio wetlands, one planted & one left to nature, turn out the same after 15 years http://nyti.ms/wXc1wx
• Feast-or-famine rainfall in TX and Lower Mississippi River valley in line with broad climate change projections http://bit.ly/ybSkdK
• Louisiana Legislature prepares to vote on restoration plan that would cut Army Corps levees http://lat.ms/xWnKBK
• Mississippi River breaks through eastern bank at Bohemia Spillway (LA), creating natural diversion http://bit.ly/yLzw0y
• Cost rising for massive Army Corps Ohio River Olmsted Dam project project http://bit.ly/FPsKxz

In the States -

• Coal industry backs WV bill removing WV water pollution provision requiring compliance with all water quality standards http://bit.ly/yt8c4u

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• 100 environmental organizations petition USEPA to regulate lead in ammunition as toxic substance http://bit.ly/yZKR49
• http://bit.ly/ywzXHy
• MN DNR expects to see large numbers of bald eagles returning to state http://bit.ly/ybrMQX
• Federal and state officials continue to press plan for closing Minneapolis lock to thwart invasive Asian Carp advance http://bit.ly/AtX0Th
• Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (KY) seeks to expand existing boundary to advance ecosystem  goals http://1.usa.gov/A1ILRO
• Retired Illinois Dept of Natural Resources biologist: Effects of Asian carp on Illinois rivers hard to find http://bit.ly/yD1WlO
• Mild, dry winter means problems for Wisconsin walleye http://bit.ly/wfqfYq

Gulf Coastal Area-

• Senate passes bill to direct 80% of BP spill fines to improve Gulf Region environment & economy; similar to House-passed http://bit.ly/we2xo8

Resource Extraction -

• MN Public Radio "primer" on the costs and benefits of frac sand mining in WI and MN http://bit.ly/yMru7p
• Geologists say Iowa could be home to one of the world’s largest untapped pools of oil http://dmreg.co/AadQxh
• Mailings to Ohio landowners from shale gas developers setting stage for Utica Shale leasing http://bit.ly/woMAHk

Federal Budget -

• Congressional Budget Office releases March baseline update: 10-yr deficit accumulated by 2022 will fall by $186 B http://1.usa.gov/z9OPyR
• GOP likely to unveil budget plan next week to cut 2013 federal spending below level 2 parties negotiated in 2011 http://on.wsj.com/xbA3dM

Events-

• Free EPA Watershed Academy Webcast on Clean Water Act history and evolution; March 21, 1-3 PM EDT http://1.usa.gov/dCcmO0
• March 26 DC EESI briefing: The Next Farm Bill: Conservation, Energy Security and Jobs with Biomass Crops? http://bit.ly/yQV2Uq
• Urban Water Sustainability Leadership Conference; Oct 15-17, Cincinnati, OH http://bit.ly/yJQodd
• Nebraska Concrete & Aggregates Assoc 1-day Pervious Seminar for April 26;  Omaha, NE http://bit.ly/xJspKC (PDF registration form)

e-Newsletters, Publications and Journals -

• EDF's March 14 issue of Delta Dispatches is now available, with latest news on Gulf of Mexico coastal restoration http://bit.ly/x6mPUo

Other news-

• Ecology and Evolution Journal article: Criteria for assessing climate change impacts on ecosystems http://bit.ly/xcmr2X
• EPA proposes EVR-Wood Treating/Evangeline Refining Co site near Jennings, Acadia Parish, LA for superfund list http://1.usa.gov/whBnOW
• EPA adds Rogersville, MO Compass Plaza Well TCE Site to superfund list http://1.usa.gov/zw4Bul
• Europe's water resources 'under pressure' - threatening Europe's economy, productivity and ecosystems http://bbc.in/xRYDD6

Political Scene - 

• Former MN state senator Tarryl Clark (D) decides to run in Dem primary in hopes of facing Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN-8) http://bit.ly/yi4kxN
• Moderate Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) faces hostile Tea Party in battle to keep Senate seat http://bit.ly/Akp8hF

Last Word

"We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap." - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Army Corps Developing Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy

Click here to enlarge

Public Comment Period Open Through April 15

The Panama Canal expansion will almost triple the size of container vessels able to transit the canal. In anticipation of a projected 2014 completion of the canal expansion effort, on December 21, 2011, Congress directed the Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources (IWR) to submit a report by June 20, 2012 to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees “on how the Congress should address the critical need for additional port and inland waterway modernization to accommodate post-Panamax vessels.”

In response to that directive, the IWR is investigating the impacts of the Panama Canal expansion on future U.S. marine transportation system needs. Specifically, IWR is evaluating the costs associated with deepening and widening deep-draft harbors; ability of inland waterways and ports to enhance export initiatives benefiting the agricultural and manufacturing sectors; current and projected population trends that might predict regional port maintenance and expansion needs; availability of inland intermodal access; and environmental impacts resulting from the modernization.

The IWR study team will accept additional information and feedback through April 15 for consideration in its initial drafts of the strategy document. Interested persons can visit this U.S. Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy web page for further information. 

UPDATED: Legal Action Filed Against EPA Over Mississippi River Pollution and Gulf of Mexico "Dead Zone"

On March 13, a coalition of environmental organizations filed two separate legal actions against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lawsuits address nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) pollution in the Mississippi River Basin, and the associated, low-oxygen hypoxic zone or “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.  One of the two separate lawsuits, filed with the U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Louisiana (lawsuit copy here) challenges EPA’s denial of a 2008 petition asking EPA to establish numeric water quality limits (or standards) for and stream restoration plans relating to nitrogen and phosphorous pollution.  A second lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York (copy here) seeks to compel EPA to respond to a 2007 request (or "petition") that the agency update its wastewater treatment plant water quality standards to include provisions for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous.  Copies of both lawsuit filings and associated appendices can be found on this Natural Resources Defense Council web page.

The lawsuit filing was announced by the organizations on the morning of March 14 during an on-line media briefing. Below is a representative sampling of many of the articles published concerning the lawsuits.

March 13:
Iowa Environmental Council Press Release

March 14:
Bleeding Heartland Blog: "Environmental groups sue EPA over inaction on "Dead Zone" pollution"
Chicago Business article: "Environmentalists blame Chicago sewers for Gulf of Mexico pollution"
Prairie Rivers Network Press Release
U.S. News and World Report
Houma Today (Louisiana)
KMOX - CBS Television (Saint Louis, MO) 
Reuters
Des Moines Register
Daily Comet Thibodaux, LA

Blog posts by Natural Resources Defense Council staff:

• http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jdevine/were_going_to_court_to_cut_dea.html 
• http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/tcmar/nrdc_taking_legal_steps_to_pro.html 
• http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/aalexander/chicago_and_the_gulf_dead_zone.html 

March 15:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Thibodaux Daily Comet (Louisiana)
CTV News (Canada)
KTKZ-AM Radio Sacramento, CA
Ag Professional News
Headline Local, St. Joseph, MO
Courthouse News Service
New York Times (blog)
Chicagoist

March 16:
Southeast Missourian 

On Questioning, Certainty, Truth and Gasoline Prices

In September 2008, before becoming the current U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu made an intriguing statement to a Wall Street Journal reporter, when he suggested that we might need to see a rise in the price of gasoline in the U.S. to the levels in Europe in order to foster more oil conservation. Chu, then the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Director, specifically speculated that having gasoline prices rise over 15 years would encourage energy efficiency, saying, "Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe."

But before a Senate committee during his nomination process less than four months later, he hastily retracted that statement in the face of political pressure.  I'm reminded of those happenings four years ago because, once again this week, Secretary Chu "walked back," as they say, from that 2008 statement, noting, "“I no longer share that view.”  As if the simple mention and exploration of new proposals or ideas are a threat to the very fabric of U.S. culture. As if to even question the status quo is anathema to our way of life. 

Well, it is in many circles.

In a society constantly striving for answers, we rarely stop to ask the truly relevant questions, particularly the question, “why.” Why have we always done things this way? Why must we do things like this in the future? Why we need more people, more projects, more money? Why we call this lifestyle; this approach sustainable, when it clearly is not?  Why this idea is impossible; unspeakable; unmentionable? 

The problem with accepting truth as it has been spoon-fed to us without our asking why, is that that truth becomes the very trap within which we live out lives in quiet desperation - without passion, care or concern. And we go through the motions. The first sign of threat to the institution and we retrench; retracting – or worse, never even asking - questions that might otherwise inspire creativity. The first crack in the wall of the organization and we’re off to design less demanding projects and take on less controversial pursuits; never daring or even thinking again to question the status quo. 

We cannot allow ourselves to be threatened by the question; by asking why. “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd,” Voltaire wrote. To question what appears to many to be “certain” lies at the very heart of being creatively human. 

To suppress questions, then, is not wise.  To discourage thinking and innovation is not human.  To accept things blindly as unquestionable is not sustainable in the long run. It is in doubt and in questions that we will find the beginnings of real wisdom, humanity, sustainability and life.  To question what has long been held as "truth" can be transformative if taken to heart by each of us and embraced within and by our institutions. And that means you and me.  And it means here and now.

So go ahead and question power. Because history has demonstrated time and again that we are probably working under a construct that is essentially wrong in any case, as, time and again, so-called truth after truth has fallen into the wastebasket of disproven falsehood. 

U.S. House and Senate Conservation and Environmental Activity - The Week Ahead

The U.S. House is in recess for the week of March 12, and the Senate's committee activity is fairly light with respect to conservation and environmental issues this upcoming week. There will be one important hearing on the Farm Bill on the Senate side; that being the Senate Agriculture Committee's hearing on commodities and crop insurance this Wednesday, March 14 at 10 AM (EDT) in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building. Here is the link to that hearing's web page.

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

Mississippi River Asian Carp Control Bill Introduced as More Carp Are Caught in Upper River Waters
On March 6, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN), and Representatives Keith Ellison (D-MN-5), Erik Paulsen (R-MN-3) and Tim Walz (D-MN-1) introduced legislation that would attempt to curb the invasion of Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The bill, as introduced in the House (see on line here) is called the "Upper Mississippi Conservation and River Protection Act of 2012" or the "Upper Mississippi CARP Act" (the companion Senate bill has yet to be made available on-line). It seeks to stem the migration of the invasive Asian carp beyond Minneapolis by authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to "take actions to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in the State of Minnesota." The bill introduction follow closely on the heels of the March 1 catch of two Asian carp species - a silver carp and a bighead carp - in a seine net by commercial anglers in the Mississippi River's Pool 6 near Winona, Minnesota, approximately 120 land-miles downstream of St. Paul. Additional bill details and background on the Asian carp migration and control attempts can be read here.  And for additional news coverage of this issue, please see the several other links, below, under the "Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives" header.

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week 

Agriculture -

• USDA Secratary Vilsack on new Conservation Reserve Program Initiative to restore grasslands, wetlands, wildlife http://1.usa.gov/zzLzH3
• USDA to offer higher farmer payments in attempt to slow exodus of millions of acres from conservation programs http://reut.rs/xooNXt
• KC engineering firm settles with NW MO farmers over hexavalent chromium-tainted fertilizer use http://bit.ly/yCbqJd
• American Soybean Association highlights some of its policy priorities for 2012-13 http://bit.ly/xcYfoS
• U of MO Food and Agricultural Policy Research Inst: US farmers to have record 2012 corn crop; will bring down prices http://bit.ly/wHTo6G
• High farm commodity prices and profits having a negative impact on South Dakota’s natural resources http://bit.ly/xxcz4R

Farm Bill-

• House Ag Committee Chair Lucas: Farm Bill in doubt if we "don't sing off same sheet of music" http://bit.ly/x8oWl2
• House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Peterson (D-MN-7) optimistic about chances for passing farm bill this year http://bit.ly/wemF1i
• Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) launches webpage for constituents interested in learning more about next farm bill http://bit.ly/A8Rkf8
• Congressional Budget Office will come out with USDA "budget score" March 13; needed to work up Farm Bill $ limits http://bit.ly/xRKlw4
• Farmers Union calls for reestablishing link between crop insurance and compliance with conservation requirements http://bit.ly/znvxGP (PDF)
• American Farmland Trust one-pager on “Re-Linking Conservation Compliance and Crop Insurance” http://bit.ly/xqMU5J (PDF)
• Union of Concerned Scientists releases policy brief on US food and farm policy with 2012 Farm Bill focus http://bit.ly/w8i5eU
• Coalition urges Congressional focus on water quality & conservation in farm bill http://bit.ly/x1jJDW YouTube video: http://bit.ly/wP23f0

Water Quality -

• Whitewater Watershed (MN) farmers take lead in water quality improvement through Farmer-Led Council http://bit.ly/Ad5F12
• Farm Bureau concerned that new EPA-Corps Clean Water Act guidance will allow expanded definition of waters of the US http://bit.ly/x9xoFM
• University of Louisiana - state DEQ partnership expected to help fill Gulf dead zone research needs http://tnsne.ws/Ac3hn6
• MN-based driveway coating national leader to stop using coal-tar-based sealants to help curb stormwater pollution http://bit.ly/y37FdB
• EPA to provide $15 million for training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems http://1.usa.gov/wlUv1t
• Rep. Gibbs (R-OH) urges water leaders to support bill to create Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority bit.ly/yX3m7e
• Over 160 water utility leaders address Congress on water infrastructure financing proposal http://bit.ly/yTGLjT

Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, etc.) -

• J of Soil & Water Conservation: Effects of 2011 Ohio and Mississippi river valley flooding on Cairo, IL area http://bit.ly/AEfXzH
• Federal appeals court finds that Army Corps' shoddy shipping channel work was responsible for Katrina flood damages http://bit.ly/xsIvLR
• Army Corps-Vicksburg receives $140 M more in funding for Mississippi River dredging, levee, channel and O&M projects http://bit.ly/yybKSz
• Proposed MO River environmental project $17 M spending hike upsets those who say flood protection focus is needed http://bit.ly/wPyHPZ
• Appeals court affirms 2008 EPA veto (to save wetlands, water quality, habitat) of Yazoo River, MS flood-control project http://bit.ly/wgG6XV

In the States -

• Illinois sustainability and environmental groups hope state won't follow Iowa's lead on law protecting CAFOs http://trib.in/yn9xac

Forestry -

• Cellulosic biofuel company (Virdia Inc) to build wood-to-ethanol plants in MS with state/fed help http://bloom.bg/wgsbW6

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• Bill seeks to halt Mississippi R Asian carp spread by requiring inclusion of rivers N of IL in Federal carp strategy http://bit.ly/wzlnhV
• Proposed new U of MN research center to focus on aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and Asian carp http://bit.ly/yTY3Z7
• Sens. Klobuchar & Franken, Reps. Ellison, Paulsen & Walz introduce Upper Mississippi River Basin Asian Carp legislation http://bit.ly/xk13e6
• New bill in Congress requires inclusion of all rivers north of IL in strategy to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes http://bit.ly/z6soLM
• MN Lake advocates pressing for Legacy money to battle zebra mussels http://bit.ly/vZgDc6
• MN Gov. Dayton: state working to stop Asian carp from advancing up Mississippi River into Minnesota bit.ly/xqEqfk
• Hunter pressure causes MN to reassess its hunting/deer population goals http://shar.es/g8gN4
• A few of the invasive species control measures being considered to stop migration in IL waterways (jpg figure) http://bit.ly/wxWL23
•  Novel manufactured "dead zone" invasives control a possible barrier between Great Lakes-Mississippi watersheds http://bit.ly/x2tyOx

Gulf Coastal Area-

• Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign (7 organizations) voices strong support for draft 2012 Coastal Master Plan http://bit.ly/zlZKTm
• Urban Waters Federal Partnership launches Ambassadors Program; will have Lake Pontchartrain (New Orleans) component http://bit.ly/zRbp23

Resource Extraction -

• With potential oil and gas boom on the horizon in southern IL state lawmakers want to update drilling law http://bit.ly/ziZiGF

Federal Budget -

• Republicans are at odds over how deep discretionary spending cuts should go in Fiscal Year 2013 Federal budget http://bit.ly/wCGJKD
• House Budget Committee Republicans intensify push to overcome differences and produce a 2013 budget resolution http://bit.ly/Avx8kF
• Under increasing pressure from conservatives, House GOP leaders poised to lower budget levels significantly http://bit.ly/ylV30T
• Agriculture Comm Ranking Member Peterson: agriculture repeatedly asked to bear disproportionate share of budget cuts http://bit.ly/y3osTn
• House Agriculture Committee adopts letter outlining committee's USDA FY 2013 budget recommendations; cuts $23B/10 yr http://1.usa.gov/xqW6vI

Events-

• Save the date - June 23 Tennessee Clean Water Network Annual Membership Meeting; Nashville http://www.tcwn.org/
• EPA Webcast March 20: Low Impact Development?Green Infrastructure Design Competitions: Tools for Encouraging Innovation http://bit.ly/wEEzn7
• Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference; Oct. 29-31; La Crosse, WI http://bit.ly/yKKQjG - call for abstracts: http://bit.ly/A2zkEp
• Call for abstracts: 2012 Kentucky Stormwater Association Annual Conference; August 8-10; Florence, KY; Inquiries to: vmeredith.hced@hcky.org
• Nebraska Floodplain & Stormwater Managers Assoc 4th Annual Conference; July 12, Kearney, NE; call for abstracts: http://bit.ly/wXs3Z0 (PDF)
• Clean Water Network develops a new Google "Power of Water Campaign Calendar" with events nationwide http://bit.ly/zeIRAF
• Illinois RiverWatch schedules 11 workshops for new volunteers (covers entire state) http://bit.ly/xTp9TG
• For DC friends: Washington DC's 20th Annual Environmental Film Festival; March 13-25; numerous venues http://bit.ly/w5KtKO
• March 22 presentation examining the past and future of Upper Mississippi Riverfront in Minneapolis, MN; 4 PM CDT here: http://bit.ly/w4mKn3
• Mississippi River Fund’s March 19 St. Paul, MN meeting ”Asian Carp: What Can We Do Now” http://bit.ly/wO9U5J

e-Newsletters, Publications and Journals -

• Clean Water Network's weekly e-bulletin is out http://bit.ly/yUJHDh

Political Scene -

• Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich (R) eyeing US Senate run against vulnerable Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) http://bit.ly/AwHS05
• GOP efforts to recruit 4th candidate for possible run vs. Sen. McCaskill (D-MO) serve to highlight a weak GOP field http://bit.ly/z0WHuU

Other News -

• European insurance think tank urges governments and insurers to take threat of extreme risk events more seriously  http://bit.ly/ArZdx1

Last Word - 

"I hate that people think compromise is a dirty word. It's not a dirty word." - Former First Lady, Barbara Bush, at a Southern Methodist University conference on the influence of the nation's first ladies. Refering to the current presidential campaign cycle, she went on to add, "I think it's been the worst campaign I've ever seen in my life." Source: Dallas Morning News 

Mississippi River Asian Carp Control Bill Introduced as More Carp Are Caught in Upper River Waters

Yesterday (March 6), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN) and Representatives Keith Ellison (D-MN-5), Erik Paulsen (R-MN-3) and Tim Walz (D-MN-1) introduced legislation that would attempt to curb the invasion of Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The bill, as introduced in the House (see on line here) is called the "Upper Mississippi Conservation and River Protection Act of 2012" or the "Upper Mississippi CARP Act" (the companion Senate bill has yet to be made available on-line). It seeks to stem the migration of the invasive Asian Carp by authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to "take actions to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in the State of Minnesota."  The bill introductions follow closely on the heels of a March 1 catch of two Asian carp species - a silver carp and a bighead carp - in a seine net by commercial anglers in the Mississippi River's Pool 6 near Winona, Minnesota, approximately 120 land-miles downstream of St. Paul. 

Specifically, the bill calls for the Army Corps to:

• Conduct a study on the feasibility of temporary closure of the lock at the Mississippi River's Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam at Minneapolis to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River
• Conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing control measures at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River; and
• Close the lock at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam if the Army Corps determines that closure of the lock is justified to manage the threat of Asian carp migration.

The House bill has been referred to the Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees for further consideration.  No action on the bill has yet been scheduled in either committee.

Background
Large numbers of several species of non-native, Asian carp have been progressively making their way upstream in the Mississippi River Basin for decades, since their release in the 1970s into the Lower Mississippi River from fish farming operations. Since then, bighead, silver and grass carp have been captured in the Mississippi River watershed from Louisiana to South Dakota, Minnesota and Ohio. In the Upper Mississippi River Basin, those carp species were first collected by scientists in the Mississippi River at Alton, Illinois, in 1993; in April 2011, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported that a commercial angler caught a 27-pound bighead carp in the lower St. Croix River that forms the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin; and on March 1 of this year two Asian carp were caught in the Mississippi River near Winona, Minnesota.   For more detailed background on the issue of invasive carp in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, please see this 2011 article written in the Institute's Mississippi River Basin Blog. 

Under its Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS), the Army Corps is already exploring options and technologies to control aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that might be applied "to prevent or reduce the risk of ANS transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through aquatic pathways" (ANS are nonindigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters). Please see our initial article on GLMRIS here.