Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week

"Goodbye" to 2010
This will be the last 2010 weekly issue of "Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week."  The next weekly issue will be released on Friday, January 7.  Look next week for the December issue of our monthly "Mississippi River Basin Update," which will have the latest analysis of any Federal appropriations activity and its potential for impacting work related to the Mississippi River Basin.

I hope all have a peaceful and safe holiday season.  See you in 2011.

Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week: 

In the States -

• Wisconsin takes step to reduce phosphorus waterway pollution with new rule going into effect this month http://bit.ly/gpy0T4
• WI DNR launches effort to improve Wisconsin River water quality degraded by phosphorus & related algal blooms http://bit.ly/gPqC2e
• 1,000 Friends of Minnesota Releases Investment Guide for New Governor http://bit.ly/f4X3d8
• Univ of MN VP at heart of "Troubled Waters" Mississippi River film cancellation controversy will step down http://bit.ly/fsue6o
• WI conservationists bracing for feared attack on environmental protections during upcoming legislative session http://bit.ly/fP9Q0p
• Quad Cities Waterkeeper settles Clean Water enforcement case against Milan IL mobile home park http://bit.ly/e7Tfcy
• IA failing to warn people to cut back on eating locally caught fish contaminated with mercury/other pollutants http://bit.ly/fZBM6g
• 25 states; 3 tribes to share >$395M in Fed funds to clean abandoned coal mines (includes Mississippi R basin states) http://bit.ly/hqfRvC

Floodplains, Dams and Navigation -

• Army Corps of Engineers: degradation and habitat loss have been exacerbated in Illinois River islands & side channels http://bit.ly/hb9mXJ

Agriculture -

• RFPs for USDA's Agricultural Water Enhancement Program & Cooperative Conservation & Partnership Initiative out today http://bit.ly/fYzvqd
• Ethanol subsidies add fuel to tax bill discussions, setting stage for 2011 debates http://bit.ly/i39Kid
• Senator Chuck Grassley (IA): next year not expecting to maintain status quo on ethanol tax credits http://bit.ly/ibKBmL
• Ag Nutrient Policy Council attorney: Chesapeake Bay "model for what EPA may try & do for Mississippi River Basin" http://bit.ly/dX2HGn
• Farm regions in ND, SD, NE & KS avoid most financial collapse effects & lead recovery, thanks to strong exports http://bit.ly/ck0mZX
• University of Calgary authors evaluate the ethics of biofuels http://bit.ly/dSxrJ1
• Fargo-based energy company moving forward with plans for nation’s first beet ethanol plant http://bit.ly/et1iUW
• Op-ed: Contrary to Soybean Council assertion, turbidity in MN River related to ag practices & not 'natural' http://bit.ly/huwz72
• Incoming House Ag Comm Chair Lucas: direct payments may be on table in Farm Bill debate http://bit.ly/igOVef (audio)
• USDA: 2010 net farm income forecast at $81.6 B, up 31 % from 2009 and 26 % higher than the 10-year ave.  http://bit.ly/epEiOf (pdf)

Water Quality-

• Ag groups send "Dear Senator" letter opposing CWA "changes" in Chesapeake Clean Water & Ecosystem Restoration Act http://bit.ly/hHUNnK (PDF)

Events -

• Mississippi River Research Consortium 43rd Annual Meeting April 28-29, La Crosse, WI http://bit.ly/fXFRoj
• 27th Annual Bald Eagle Watch along Mississippi River on Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Fulton, IL http://bit.ly/gLJ9pT

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• WI DNR's Frank wants gray wolf removed from endangered species list http://bit.ly/elYT7u
• Ag officials ask Minnesotans to watch for Oriental bittersweet invasive plant http://bit.ly/eoyl4S & http://bit.ly/ePdsVo
• Minnesota DNR praised by USFWS for aquatic invasive species efforts http://bit.ly/dPIXth
• White House outlines $47M plan to keep Asian carp from passing from Mississippi River system into Great Lakes http://yhoo.it/e6K9IL

Other news-

• NASA: Rising consumption of food and fiber will threaten water supplies and ecosystems http://bit.ly/eBHdKb
• Senate passes bill to reduce lead in drinking water http://bit.ly/eJJALK now moves to House for consideration before end of year
• Army Corps of Engineers proposes $2.9B restoration for Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet environmental damage http://bit.ly/g1hzhQ

Political Scene -

• Major Appropriation Additions and Subtractions in the House-Passed Long-Term Continuing Resolution http://bit.ly/fSrUol
• Uncomfortable over earmarks ban, Rep. Bachmann (R-MN-6th) wants to ‘redefine’ term http://bit.ly/gdjHUd
• OH EPA chief to resign before new administration takes office http://bit.ly/grRkCu
• Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD): Water, wildlife, lands omnibus bill has votes but lacks time http://bit.ly/fkuiMM
• House Republicans will cut 84 committee slots in 112th Congress leading to scramble for slots http://bit.ly/fnvPoI
• House Ag Comm Chair-elect Lucas announces 18 new GOP members of that Committee for 112th Congress http://bit.ly/eYVvHD
• Senate's $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill collapses as 9 GOP senators pull support http://bit.ly/eAnti0
• Today GOP is expected to reveal House rules package of changes that will include new budgetary mechanisms http://bit.ly/ha3oxA
• On today's House schedule: "Possible Further Action on Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011" http://bit.ly/9Jj2Zp