Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News

~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~

French Creek

This Week and Next
It was a surprisingly busy week on the River Basin-related news front, and you can find a sizable portion of that news outlined below. The week saw a premature winter freeze bring an early end to the Upper Mississippi River's navigation season, and the U.S. House pass bills (over a Presidential veto threat) that would restrict some Environmental Protection Agency activities.  Here is our one-paragraph summary of "What We Learned This Week" ("Resistance is Futile"), in case you find the volume of news below particularly daunting.

Next week Congress will be recessed for the Thanksgiving holiday, and so will your FNB ("Friendly Neighborhood Blogger), who is traveling north to Pennsylvania and French Creek - the practically pristine headwaters of the Mississippi River watershed.  The Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News editorial team promises to return in early December, as does Congress - primarily to work on a way to keep the government funded and running beyond December 11.

Noteworthy @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week

Water Quality -

• As controversial EPA/Army Corps water rule looms, GOP prepares a legislative assault http://ow.ly/EoV37
• End of comment period doesn't stop war of words over Obama Administration's proposed Clean Water Act rule http://ow.ly/EtnX7
• Funding opportunity: US EPA seeks research proposals regarding how changes in water quality can be valued at appropriate spatial scales http://ow.ly/Ext1K
• State of the art Thomas More College Biology Field Station works to improve Ohio River quality http://ow.ly/EoM6K
• Environmental groups threaten to sue Kentucky coal mining company for thousands of Clean Water Act violations http://ow.ly/Es4GQ (see related story, below)
• Kentucky environmental regulators defend their enforcement record against charges from four environmental groups http://ow.ly/Ex1ti
• Clean Wisconsin report: "Groundwater contamination and the 'beneficial reuse' of coal ash in southeast Wisconsin" http://ow.ly/EtuoH
• Illinois county board votes to rezone farmland so it can be used for coal mining waste storage, despite water quality concerns http://ow.ly/Ex355
• Interior Department presses for more rigorous oversight of flooded Fairmont Mine Pool (Monongahela River Basin) story: http://ow.ly/EAJCk report: http://ow.ly/EAJ6p
• Tennessee Clean Water Network sues Army and its contractor over dumping of explosive chemicals into Holston River near Kingsport, Tenn. http://ow.ly/EALih

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

Jordan Aquifer (Source: USGS)

• Ice surrounding locks and dams near Minnesota’s Twin Cities forces earliest Upper Mississippi River shipping season closure on record http://ow.ly/EAQ5u
• Army Corps of Engineers' head touts watershed-based approach to planning http://ow.ly/EooF7
• Mississippi River barge traffic moving well despite Army Corps' construction project that prompted agricultural groups' concern http://ow.ly/EgSev
• Frustrated Minnesota farmers turn to barge transport as an alternative to bottlenecked and costly rail options http://ow.ly/Eo2vR
• CBS News 60 Minutes: much of the world is in danger of a groundwater overdraft http://ow.ly/EoKMo
• Growing water use threatens to strain Upper Midwest's Jordan Aquifer; Iowa regulators are considering restricting its use http://ow.ly/EoPnN
• USDA survey: 55.3 million acres of irrigated U.S. farmland in 2013 closely matches acres in 2008 survey http://ow.ly/EsTXg
• PIANC MarCom Working Group report released: "Masterplans for the Development of Existing Ports" http://ow.ly/ExExi
• Draft of Colorado's first water plan approved by state's Water Conservation Board  (western side of Continental Divide holds 11% of Colorado’s population; eastern side consumes 70% of its water) http://ow.ly/EAMpU
• State Associations release Clean Water Act-Safe Drinking Water Act collaboration toolkit; roll-out webinars planned http://ow.ly/EBl8q

Agriculture -

• Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Tex.), next House Agriculture Committee chairman: "It’s never too early to start on the next (2019) farm bill" http://ow.ly/EAO9M
• The Urban-Rural Divide: Lessons from the midterm elections relating to national nutrition
  
  programs, global food security http://ow.ly/Exrdq
• U.S. farmers are about to reap a bumper harvest, not just in crops but also in billions of $ in new subsidies http://ow.ly/EAOEC
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s 2014 Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs http://ow.ly/EoprR
• USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service issues guidance on administering conservation initiatives in FY 2015 http://ow.ly/Eoq5d
• Millions of acres of U.S. farmland have been affected by herbicide-resistant weeds, rendering some fields unfarmable http://ow.ly/EoOoP
• St. Louis Fed Bank: Farmland values rose in the third quarter in parts of the Midwest and southern U.S. despite declining farm incomes http://ow.ly/Eo18X (These findings contrasted with reports from other Fed banks in the Midwest (Chicago and Kansas City) that showed declines in their districts’ farmland values in the third quarter.)
• Purdue University agricultural economist believes the decade-long increase in farmland values might soon be over http://ow.ly/EwT90
• With the precipitous downward trend in corn prices, can U.S. farmers afford to stay loyal to corn next year? http://ow.ly/Et9Ok
• There are fewer cattle in the United States than at any time since 1951; including Plains' herd size drop http://ow.ly/Eo21i
• Your next farmer's market could be in your computer http://ow.ly/EwXUe
• Officials approve 8,800-head dairy operation west of Willmar, west-central Minnesota http://ow.ly/EAH2h
• New York Times op-ed: A creative new approach to Midwestern agriculture, involving indigenous prairie plants, has the potential to unite farmers and environmentalists http://ow.ly/EBItZ

Climate and Weather -

• US drought update: Bitter cold along with some snow over the central U.S. afforded little, if any, drought relief http://ow.ly/wmTdv
• GAO: Climate change could substantially increase losses in taxpayer-backed flood and crop insurance programs in coming decades http://ow.ly/EEH32 (story: http://ow.ly/EEH6g)
• With a fifth record hot month on the books, NOAA says 2014 is likely to be the Earth's hottest year despite US cold http://yhoo.it/1t9ysEt
• USDA grant used to help create carbon credit market program; could boost Prairie Pothole grassland conservation http://ow.ly/Etphe and http://ow.ly/EwZkx
• CO2 emissions must be zero by 2070 to prevent climate disaster, UN says, and ‘negative emissions’ are needed globally http://ow.ly/EAMZJ
• Ethereal beauty: A year in the life of the Earth's carbon dioxide (courtesy NASA)

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
(click to enlarge)

• Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative funds five projects to fill science information needs http://ow.ly/EtkdC
• Landscape Conservation Cooperative Network develops 5-year strategic plan to help conserve, maintain key landscapes and seascapes ow.ly/Etl9o
• 'Explosion' of gill lice besets Wisconsin's iconic brook trout http://ow.ly/EgMLq
• Updated International Union for the Conservation of Nature list: Over 22,000 species are threatened with extinction http://ow.ly/EtfSb
• After quarantine, bison find a new home in northern Montana's prairie lands http://ow.ly/Ex3LX
• House passes bill to amend Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, increasing funding for conservation easement purchases http://ow.ly/Et6O5
• Army Corps of Engineers considering plans to block path of Asian carp on the Des Plaines River near Joliet, Illinois ow.ly/Ey4yY
• Kentucky hopes you'll eat its invasive Asian carp http://ow.ly/Eun0Y
• Illinois Conservation Police arrest commercial fisherman accused of illegally selling live Asian carp http://ow.ly/EAYVA
• Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area (Minnesota) wildlife manager sees Canada goose migration stopover changes, flyway widen http://ow.ly/EAUwI

In the Cities -

• New report explores state of land banks in 2014, and how they help address impacts of vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent properties http://ow.ly/Et8DU
• Under a consent decree for Combined Sewer Overflows, Indianapolis looks for creative solutions http://ow.ly/Etr1J
• Vicksburg talking with state, federal agencies about running Mississippi River Museum http://ow.ly/EAWeK
• Ohio River Valley communities leverage their water resources to drive economic prosperity http://ow.ly/ECwPF

2015 River of the Year Nominees

In the States-

• Three Mississippi River Basin streams in the running for "2015 River of the Year" in Pennsylvania http://ow.ly/Ex64w

Gulf Coastal Region-

• Plaquemines Parish, La., officials vote down bid to drop 21 environmental damage lawsuits filed against oil and gas companies http://ow.ly/Eonit
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announces next $100 million in awards for Gulf Coast restoration projects http://ow.ly/Etbgl

Resource Development -

• Random shallow groundwater tests in Northern Plains oil region show no evidence of contamination from energy boom http://ow.ly/EsZhi
• The biggest product of the U.S. petroleum industry is not oil, gas or condensate but wastewater http://ow.ly/Ex0HX
• Iowa awaits good and ill ramifications of possible frac sand mine boom, while neighboring Wisconsin is already there http://ow.ly/EgTXl
• Popular Illinois state park at center of struggle over sand used in fracking http://ow.ly/Et0q9
• House of Representatives passes bill approving Keystone XL oil pipeline http://ow.ly/EjMeP
• Senate, by a single vote, defeats legislation that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL pipeline http://ow.ly/EwITp

Federal Budget -

• Behind the scene Congressional negotiations continue over legislation to keep the government running, as omnibus bill discussions face problematic conservatives' policy rider demands http://ow.ly/EBRbf
• Expectations for a long-term omnibus Federal spending package are dampened, as Republican leaders weigh their options http://ow.ly/Et30e
• House Republicans search for spending compromise to avoid a government shutdown but restrict immigration changes http://ow.ly/EwSHd

Events - Information on all past and future events listed here each week can be viewed in the on-line calendar, located above and to the right (and here as a stand-alone calendar) 

• St. Croix National Scenic River Association's Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop, Grantsburg, WI, December 5, 9 AM - 3:30 PM CST http://ow.ly/EEETz
• Updated webinar link information now available for December 9 Great Waters Webinar: "Time to End the Slime – Addressing Nutrient Pollution" 3 PM EST http://ow.ly/EEG7M
• Newly formed North Dakota Missouri River Stakeholders group holds its first meeting this week; story: http://ow.ly/EATtF; home page: http://ow.ly/EATHB
• "Future of Farmland and Food?" Highlights of American Farmland Trust's recent National Conference in Lexington, Kentucky http://ow.ly/ECDkW

e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia  -

• Gulf Restoration Network's November 14 GulfWaves: "Fracking Diaries" http://ow.ly/EomoJ
• Pennsylvania Environmental Council Fall 2014 "Forum" http://ow.ly/Ex4kk
• Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's November 19 TUWaterWays e-newsletter http://ow.ly/EAKix
• Montana Watershed Coordination Council's November 20 "Watershed News" http://ow.ly/EEGEk

Other news-

• Senate Judiciary Committee approves new legislation that would strengthen the Freedom of Information Act; news article: http://ow.ly/EEBVU; Committee meeting summary: http://ow.ly/EClk1 (bill: http://ow.ly/EClvi)
• White House issues veto threats against House Republican bills that place restrictions on Environmental Protection Agency http://ow.ly/EtcVJ (see related stories below)
• Over White House veto threat, House passes bill to overhaul Environmental Protection Agency Scientific Advisory Board http://ow.ly/EwTIc (bill link here: http://ow.ly/EwXfP)
• House passes H.R. 4012, to restrict EPA regulations not based upon "transparent or reproducible" science http://ow.ly/EAI2n (bill link here: http://ow.ly/EAG9x)
• Upper Arkansas River Stage and Rail Trail plan nearing completion, will be put before public http://ow.ly/EgPwo
• $6 million overhaul starting soon of southern Indiana state park's museum exhibits on Ohio River geography, culture http://ow.ly/EAWWP

Politics and People-

• Democratic leaders announce Democratic Caucus approval of 19 Ranking Members for 114th Congress House Committees http://ow.ly/ECki4
• House Majority Leader McCarthy releases 2015 House calendar ow.ly/Ey2jH
• Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) has no plans to retire . . . "no frickin' way" http://ow.ly/EgMho
• House GOP picks all-male slate of new committee chairs, including Agriculture: Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Natural Resources: Rob Bishop (R-Utah) http://ow.ly/EwPNX
• Rep. Mike Conaway (R., Tex.) selected as the 50th chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture http://ow.ly/EwR8m (Kansas Republican Pat Roberts widely expected to be new chairman of Senate's Agriculture Committee in January http://ow.ly/EwRC1)
• Broadly speaking, President Obama has a political advantage over congressional Republicans when it comes to environmental matters http://ow.ly/EgNTJ
• Bill Frenzel, a 20-year U.S. House member from Minnesota, died on Monday at 86 http://ow.ly/Et4wq
• Washington Post: "Landrieu's final indignity: One vote short on Keystone" http://wapo.st/1HjEBHI
• USDA Secretary Appoints New Members to National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board http://ow.ly/EtdST

Your Moment of Zen -

Biggest brown coal power plant of Europe at Belchatow coal power station, Poland. Poland and other eastern Europe countries have categorically rejected a target put forward by the world’s top climate scientists to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2100 to avoid dangerous global warming, leaked documents show.  Photograph: Artur Marciniec/Alamy. 

What We Learned This Week - "Resistance is Futile"

The U.S. Senate came up one vote short of passing a bill approving construction of the XL pipeline through the western half of the Mississippi River Basin.  In that same vote, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) fell one "aye" shy, as well.  The proposed clean water rule comment period officially ended, but not the war of words. Early winter ice forced a record early closure of the Upper Mississippi River shipping season.   But despite the U.S. chill, 2014 should still end up globally being the hottest ever recorded.  That climate change could substantially increase losses in Federal flood and crop insurance programs in the decades to come.  Much of the world is in danger of overdrafting its groundwater account, including Iowa and the Upper Midwest's Jordan Aquifer.  Shallow groundwater in the Northern Plains oil region shows no evidence of contamination from its energy boom. Millions of U.S. farm acres have been affected by herbicide-resistant weeds, rendering some fields unfarmable. Your next farmer's market might be in your computer. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill upping the price of Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamps, and increasing funding for conservation easement purchases.  House Republican bills passed this week would place restrictions on the Environmental Protection Agency, even though the White House threatened to veto the measures.  The House has scheduled 35 weeks in Washington, DC and 17 weeks out of town next year.  The Army Corps of Engineers is considering new efforts to block the upriver movement of invasive Asian carp on the Des Plaines River. And last but not least, Kentucky hopes you'll want to eat its Asian carp, because not much else does.

Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

This Tuesday should see the U.S. Senate consider S. 2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Scheduling of the vote is seen by many as an attempt by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to help fellow-Democratic, incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, the bill's co-sponsor. Landrieu is engaged in an uphill battle to retain her seat in a December 6 runoff election against Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-6th-La.).  Cassidy took the lead in pushing a companion bill (H.R. 5682), which the House passed on Friday on a 252-161 vote.  As of Friday, the Senate bill's backers appeared to be one vote shy of the 60 filibuster-proof majority necessary to clear that chamber.

Also on the agenda for the week: Committee chairs for the new Congress will be decided, and the House is scheduled to vote today (Monday) on H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, to increase funding for the acquisition of conservation easements for migratory birds.

The full House will also consider H.R. 1422, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 and H.R. 4012, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014.  H.R. 1422 would provide for Scientific Advisory Board member qualifications, and for public participation.  H.R. 4012 would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency "from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating a covered action unless all scientific and technical information relied on to support such action is specifically identified and publicly available in a manner sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results."

Following a shortened week's worth of work, both chambers will likely adjourn by Thursday and not return until after Thanksgiving.

Below are the U.S. House and Senate committee activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources.   Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages, and, as appropriate, to pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the appropriate committee activity link). Times are Eastern. This page will be updated as warranted. 

Monday

• House Rules Committee meeting to set the rules for full House consideration of H.R. 1422, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 and H.R. 4012, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014; 5:00 PM, room H-313, U.S. Capitol Building.

Wednesday

• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy hearing on Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water; 10:15 AM, room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building.
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance hearing on “Opportunities for a Private and Competitive Sustainable Flood Insurance Market,” 2:00 PM, room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. 

Thursday

• Senate Judiciary Committee meeting and possible vote on S. 2520, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Act of 2014, which, among other things, would restrict an exemption that agencies often use to deny records to FOIA requesters; 10:00 AM, room 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Friday

• House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency field hearing: “Emergency Preparedness: Are We Ready For a 21st Century Hugo?” 1:00 PM, Tillman Hall, Clemson University, 101 Gantt Circle, Clemson, South Carolina.

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News

~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~

House Passes Bill to Reauthorize National Estuaries Programs

Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary
(click to enlarge)

On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 2566, a bill "to reauthorize the National Estuary Programs," the U.S. EPA's suite of individual programs designed to improve the quality of estuaries of national importance, including the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary complex: an estuary system that encompasses 4.2 million acres of wetlands, ridges, forests, farmlands and communities (including New Orleans and Baton Rouge) between the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River in southeastern Louisiana.  The bill was passed on a voice vote.  If passed by the Senate, H.R. 5266 would reduce funding for the Programs from $35 million to $27 million annually through fiscal year 2018.  The bill would also limit the funding that can be spent on overhead costs, and specifies specific issues to be addressed through the Program's competitive grant provision, including low dissolved oxygen conditions and related nutrient management, flooding, harmful algal blooms and invasive species.  The Senate could possibly take up H.R. 5266 as passed by the House, or it could vote on a related "Clean Estuaries Act of 2014," S. 2042, introduced in February.  That Senate reauthorization bill would maintain funding at its current level, and make some targeted changes to the Programs, mostly centering on the management of the initiative.


This Week and Next
Today is the last day to comment on the Obama Administration’s proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule, and the past week saw a flurry of comments submitted, along with related media releases, on opposing sides of the issue.  There was also quite a bit of Gulf Coast-related news, along with some new lame duck, federal legislative activity of note. The week even saw the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA disagreeing with The Weather Channel over how good a place that New Orleans is to own a home. We’ve selected the best bits of it all for your morning education and entertainment, and organized them below. But if you prefer a bite-sized, one-paragraph version of the news, see “What We Learned This Week: Turn Left on Red,’” which is designed to be easily consumed before downing your first cup of morning coffee.

Next week should see the U.S. Senate vote on S. 2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would largely run through several Missouri and Lower Mississippi River watershed states. The House is voting today (Friday) on a companion bill (H.R. 5682), and almost-assuredly will pass the measure.  Our weekly outlook of next week’s other River Basin-related Capitol Hill activity is summarized (and updated, as needed) here.

Noteworthy @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week

Water Quality -

• U.S. EPA Local Government Advisory Committee suggests ways the agency can improve controversial proposed clean water rule http://ow.ly/EaClX
• Environment Minnesota Letter to the Editor: "The Clean Water Act: Final Thoughts as EPA Public Comment Period Ends" http://ow.ly/EdcPy
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 375 trade associations, local chambers submit 58 pages of comments against clean water rule http://ow.ly/EcSKK (comments here: http://ow.ly/EcSPi)
• Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority votes unanimously to oppose proposed "Waters of the U.S." rule http://ow.ly/EdbIr
• Environmental groups threaten to sue Tennessee Valley Authority over water pollution concerns near coal ash dumps http://ow.ly/Ea6pE
• Complaints about a troubled Wisconsin manure-processing plant referred to the state Department of Justice http://ow.ly/EaUS0
• Researchers try to identify upstream factors that could explain Lake Pepin phosphorus increases http://ow.ly/Edjdv

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

• Federal Emergency Management Agency and Army Corps of Engineers dispute Weather Channel's characterization of New Orleans as worst place in the U.S. to own a home http://ow.ly/Eaw5B
• Army Corps: maintenance work will continue on Mississippi River near Nashville despite crop transport delay concerns http://ow.ly/Edd66
• Colorado's state water plan is premised on more people and scarcer water http://ow.ly/EaYQO
• Gov. Sam Brownback unveils a nearly completed 50-year Kansas state water plan http://ow.ly/Edhgy
• Army Corps approves construction of contentious Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana coal terminal opposed by coalition of Gulf of Mexico environmental groups http://ow.ly/Edkde

Agriculture -

• Completion of proposed Regional Conservation Partnership Program project reviews (under new Farm Bill) is delayed at least until December http://ow.ly/Egq3I
• NRCS requests comments on conservation performance measurement tools http://ow.ly/EajsZ
• Corn and soybean 2014 harvest numbers now favor prices that will be profitable for producers in 2015-16 http://ow.ly/EaWqP
• GAO: the Food and Drug Administration's fruit and vegetable pesticide testing program is not "statistically valid" http://ow.ly/EaYmD
• U.S. agricultural companies reach agreement with farm groups on principles governing the companies’ use of crop data http://ow.ly/Ed1zX
• Farmland values declined across much of the Midwest in the third quarter, continuing a slowdown http://ow.ly/Egs61 (Also see: U.S. Midwest farmland values steady, weakness seen ahead http://ow.ly/Egss8)

November 11 Drought Map
(click to enlarge)

Climate and Weather -

• US drought update: long-term water deficits continues to mount in Minnesota; Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley landscape is freezing and very little soil moisture recharge possible this year; drought largely persists in Southern, Central Plains http://ow.ly/wmTdv
• Purdue and Iowa State universities study: Crop producers, scientists hold different views on climate change, and its possible causes http://ow.ly/EcWB6
• Washington Post editorial:  “China and the United States are finally leading on global warming" http://ow.ly/Ed2g6
• Research provides climatogical analysis of flooding as far inland as Illinois and Wisconsin, associated with North Atlantic tropical cyclones http://ow.ly/Ee7aQ

Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -

• Coalition of scientists, conservationists and corporations asks Obama administration to extend

  

  Monarch Butterfly

  Endangered Species Act protections to monarch butterfly http://ow.ly/EgqD2
• Blanchard, Okla. residents taking new measures to ensure monarch butterflies have suitable migratory habitat http://ow.ly/EaorM
• Riverine Fisheries International facility planned in western Kentucky to catch, process and sell invasive Asian carp http://ow.ly/Edf0W
• Platte River Recovery Implementation Program plan focuses local efforts on bird and fish species protection http://ow.ly/Edldk

Map of Conservation Vision Area in 

Louisiana Gulf Coast Region

(Click to enlarge)

Gulf Coastal Region-

• Environmental groups identify land-conservation priorities in the Gulf of Mexico region http://ow.ly/EcTbc
• Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority recommends five projects for Restore Act oil spill fine money http://ow.ly/EdhW4
• House passes bill to reauthorize the National Estuary Programs; link to bill: http://ow.ly/EcQtp
• Smithsonian study: Dead zones to expand due to climate-change induced warming waters http://t.co/rddKmyh4gq

In the Cities -

• Three multi-disciplinary teams awarded $15,000 each to develop unique strategies for using New Orleans' sizable amount of vacant land http://ow.ly/EdMvA

Resource Development -

• Report: Over 40 percent of frac sand producers in Wisconsin have broken state environmental rules in recent years http://ow.ly/EaUd2
• U.S. Senate reaches agreement to vote on S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, next week http://ow.ly/Edfv6
• U.S. House to begin consideration (Thursday) of H.R. 5682-bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline http://ow.ly/EcPYz (link to bill here: http://ow.ly/EcQfU) 

Federal Budget -

• Omnibus spending bill funding federal agencies through September 2015 won’t be released for several weeks http://ow.ly/EaWWv

Events - Information on all past and future events listed here each week can be viewed in the on-line calendar, located above and to the right (and here as a stand-alone calendar) 

• Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance webinar, November 17, 3 pm ET; Impact of Wetland Drainage on the Hydrology of a Northern Prairie Watershed http://ow.ly/EaE9f
• Webinar: Climate Change and Corn Belt Agriculture in the Midwest; November 18, noon- 1 PM EST http://ow.ly/EacmM
• The Upper Mississippi River Basin Association has posted the UMRBA and UMRR-EMP CC November 18-19, 2014 meeting packets http://ow.ly/EaF3E
• Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's 2014 Watershed Conference; Nov. 19-21; Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs http://ow.ly/EdgFW
• Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization workshops on Vermillion River Watershed Plan 2015; Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and 11 http://ow.ly/EdlZv
• Date change: December 9 Great Waters Webinar: "Time to End the Slime – Addressing Nutrient Pollution" 3 PM EST ow.ly/Ea3qX

e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia  -

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Watershed Network News - November 12 http://ow.ly/EaIcn
• Find the latest Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's November 11  TUWaterWays weekly e-newsletter http://ow.ly/EgUJH
• Lower Mississippi River Dispatch, No 265, Wednesday, Nov 12; "Fine Tuning: The 1972 Clean Water Act" http://ow.ly/EaTz0
• Montana Watershed Coordination Council's November 13 Watershed News http://ow.ly/EgrEi

Other news-

• Position announcement: Prairie Rivers Network (Illinois) Executive Director http://ow.ly/Ea2OX
• Water-its scarcity, quality and the regulations affecting it-is a growing business problem that many companies haven’t noticed http://ow.ly/Eb3XP

Politics and People-

• Mid-term election turnout, over all, was 36.4 percent; only the 1942 federal election had a lower rate: 33.9 percent http://nyti.ms/1xKZBAF
• Mid-term election turnout changed notably in several Mississippi River Basin states compared to the 2010 mid-terms http://ow.ly/Ear7A
• Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Wolf (D) names Katie McGinty, former PA Department of Environmental Protection secretary, as  chief of staff http://ow.ly/Ea5na
• Democrats win all 11 House races too close to call on Nov. 4, including Brad Ashford's (D-Neb.) defeat of incumbent Rep. Lee Terry (R) http://ow.ly/Egu7N
• U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy is not "big on hierarchy" http://ow.ly/EaD7j

Your Moment of Zen -

Banded iron rock, mineral layers compressed in vibrant colours found in the Hammersley Range, Western Australia. Photo by Mint Images/ Frans Lanting/Getty

What We Learned This Week - "Turn Left on Red"

EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee suggested ways the agency might improve a controversial proposed clean water rule.  With a November 14 comment deadline looming, many others also chimed in with their rule perspectives, including Environment Minnesota, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.  Kansas has nearly completed a new 50-year water plan, recommending broadened collaboration with neighboring states.  One of those states, Colorado, is working on its own water plan, envisioning more people and scarcer water.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Army Corps of Engineers disagree with the Weather Channel's characterization of New Orleans as the worst place in the U.S. to own a home.  Dead zones like that in the northern Gulf of Mexico will likely expand as waters warm.  Environmental groups identified their land conservation priorities along the Gulf of Mexico's coasts, and the state of Louisiana identified five coastal restoration priorities. The U.S. House passed a bill to reauthorize the National Estuary Programs, while cutting its budget by almost 23 percent.  The national mid-term election turnout was the lowest since 1942 and was especially low in the Mississippi River Basin states of Missouri, Indiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi. Since that GOP-dominated election, President Obama has veered decidedly left.   A spending bill to fund federal agencies beyond December 11 won’t be released for several weeks, leaving Congress with just a few days to debate the measure before the money runs out.  And last but not least, crop producers and scientists hold widely different views on climate change and its causes; China and the U.S. don't.

House Passes Bill to Reauthorize National Estuaries Programs

Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Complex

On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 2566, a bill "to reauthorize the National Estuary Programs,"  the U.S. EPA's suite of individual programs designed to improve the quality of estuaries of national importance, including the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary complex: an estuary system that encompasses 4.2 million acres of wetlands, ridges, forests, farmlands and communities (including New Orleans and Baton Rouge) between the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River in southeastern Louisiana. 

The bill was passed on a voice vote. If passed by the Senate, H.R. 5266 would reduce funding for the Programs from $35 million to $27 million annually through fiscal year 2018. The bill would also limit the funding that can be spent on overhead costs, and specifies specific issues to be addressed through the Program's competitive grant provision, including low dissolved oxygen conditions and related nutrient management, flooding, harmful algal blooms and invasive species. The Senate could possibly take up H.R. 5266 as passed by the House, or it could vote on a related "Clean Estuaries Act of 2014," S. 2042, introduced in February. That Senate reauthorization bill would maintain funding at its current level, and make some targeted changes to the Programs, mostly centering on the management of the initiative.

NRCS Requests Comments on Conservation Performance Measurement Tools

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made available a number of commonly used NRCS conservation performance measurement tools for public review and comment.  The tools are the basic ones utilized by the NRCS for both conservation planning, and evaluating conservation plans and performance.  The tools include the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Wind Erosion Prediction System, Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance, Windows Pesticide Screening Tool, Pollinator and Wildlife Planning Resource Tool, Farm Irrigation Rating Index, Whole Farm and Ranch Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Accounting System, Rangeland Health Assessment, and Pasture Condition Score. The tools can be found at this link.

NRCS is providing an opportunity for public review and is soliciting public comment on the tools, to "ensure their rigor and determine if there are any areas for improvement." Comments may be submitted through the nrcs-tools@wdc.usda.gov email address found on the tools website, or directly to Aaron Lauster, EQIP Specialist (aaron.lauster@wdc.usda.gov or 202-260-9230)

Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

Under Construction

Yes, they're back. After seven weeks off to make their cases for reelection, members of Congress will return to work today (Wednesday), and almost immediately start to work in earnest crafting a spending bill to keep the Federal government operating beyond December 11: the date that the current, stop gap continuing resolution expires. Both the Senate (Sen. Barb Mikulski) and House (Rep. Hal Rogers) Appropriation Committee chairs would like to see an omnibus (i.e., "package") spending bill incorporate the negotiated elements of the separate appropriations measures already drafted by their respective committees.

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill this week related to the Mississippi River Basin, the full House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5266, a bill to reauthorize the National Estuary Programs, an EPA program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance, including the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary complex, encompassing 4.2 million acres of wetlands, ridges, forests, farmlands, and communities, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, between the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River in southeastern Louisiana.

Presently, there is only one committee activity scheduled for the week that is River Basin natural resource-related.  Below is the link to the relevant committee web page, and to associated pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and this should be, as well (follow the appropriate link). This page will be updated as warranted.

Thursday

• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Business Meeting to consider several bills, including S. 1971, to establish an interagency coordination committee or subcommittee with the leadership of the Departments of Energy and the Interior, focused on the nexus between energy and water production, use, and efficiency; and S. 1966, the National Forest Jobs and Management Act of 2014, to provide for the restoration of the economic and ecological health of National Forest System land and rural communities (with respect to Forest Management Emphasis Areas); 3:00 PM EDT, Room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News

~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~

Nitrate in the Mississippi River Basin Surface Waters Now Tracked and Accessible in Real Time 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) now makes nitrate water concentration information available from select Mississippi River Basin stations, and from a total of 86 sites nationwide.  Within the Mississippi River Basin, nitrate remote monitoring stations have been set up at several main stem and large tributary locations, and at other locations throughout the River Basin.  USGS recently used the remote monitoring data from the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, Louisiana to evaluate nitrate loading model performance compared to loads actually measured in the lower River.  They summarized those results in this article, appearing in the November 4 issue of Environmental Science and Technology.  You can read more detail about this technology advancement here.

December 3 Deadline to Submit Proposed WRRDA Flood Protection, Navigation and Ecosystem Restoration Projects

Among other things, the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act ("WRRDA") authorized a process for approving and potentially funding flood protection, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects related to the nation’s aging waterways' system. Title V subtitle C of WRRDA, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (or "WIFIA") provides financial support for infrastructure and related costs, public-private funding initiatives and other innovative credit arrangements, and authorized federal grants to help fund pilot projects.  The Army Corps of Engineers is currently accepting proposals from non-federal entities for feasibility studies and modifications to authorized water resources development projects.  Proposals will be accepted through December 3. In February 2015, the Corps will publish an Annual Report to Congress listing proposed projects, which then may advance to be authorized and funded by Congress.  To find out more, see this blog post and this Federal Register notice.

How the U.S. Mid-Term Elections Turned Out in the Mississippi River Basin

The nation's long electoral marathon is over, a minority of the voting population having spoken. Those voting gave control of the U.S. Senate to Republicans, while the Republican majority in the House grew (presently, a handful of House races, two Senate races and one Governor's race are too close to call).  Here is a link to our overview of the Congressional and gubernatorial election results in the Mississippi River states, and a snapshot of key races elsewhere in the River Basin.  There you will note there that some senior GOP Senators from the Mississippi River Basin now poised to chair several key, water-related Committees in the next Congress.

Noteworthy @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week  

Water Quality -

• USGS Environmental Science and Technology article on tracking nitrate loading downriver to the Gulf of Mexico ow.ly/DVFr5 (also see summary, above)
• USGS now makes available nitrate levels at select Mississippi River Basin stations and 86 sites nationwide ow.ly/DVGJy
• Six years after a Tennessee coal ash spill, and following a lawsuit and court order, federal coal ash regulations are closer to reality http://ow.ly/DJ7AS
• DTN's "Web of Water" series looks at some of the concerns farmers have about Waters of the U.S. rule (article #1) http://ow.ly/DNbmm; (article #2) http://ow.ly/DRQVx; (article #3) http://ow.ly/DXN2X and (article #4) http://ow.ly/DXMOO
• Nutrient Pollution: A Persistent Threat to Waterways; Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ ehp.122-A304 http://ow.ly/DJ8wz
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality report: Majority of Montana’s waters impaired http://ow.ly/DJ9Et
• West Virginia DEP: September drilling accident contaminated groundwater in Doddridge County http://ow.ly/DOCrT
• Company settles with EPA; will pay penalty, restore streams damaged by dredged or fill material in West Virginia http://ow.ly/DRUaV

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

• December 3 Deadline for Parties to Submit Proposed Flood Protection, Navigation and Ecosystem Restoration Projects http://ow.ly/DUNbU
• U.S. Geological Survey: Water use across the U.S. drops to the lowest level in 45 years http://ow.ly/DUO5c
• Battle lines drawn in what likely will be a West vs. East fight over using Missouri River water in Kansas http://ow.ly/DJgGC
• Dakota County, Minnesota intends to update old dam http://ow.ly/DOAVd
• Will influence the future of Mississippi River navigation: Uncertainties Surround Nicaragua's New Waterway Project http://ow.ly/DVanZ

Agriculture -

• Special Annals of Applied Biology issue: Crop Nitrogen Use Efficiency Virtual Issue - September 2014 http://ow.ly/DXI1F
• USDA announces proposed changes to its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), seeks public comments http://ow.ly/DRXEc  Also see: http://ow.ly/DUFYa (E and E article and related NSAC blog post)
• Agriculture shapes the Mississippi River Basin, and these micro and macro trend shifts will shape agriculture http://ow.ly/DN8uF
• USDA's Conservation Reserve Program enrollment plunges to 7-year low as corn acreage expands http://ow.ly/DODZT
• Worst rail delays in more than a decade are impeding crop shipments in the Midwest, sending grain prices up sharply http://ow.ly/DNalH
• With over 12,500 acres growing the squash cultivar, Illinois growers account for over 75% of all U.S. pumpkins harvested for processing http://ow.ly/DJ2br
• Organizations and universities announce creation of the Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture http://ow.ly/DUY1z
• Opponents of proposed Callaway Co., MO confined animal feeding operation cite possible health, environmental effects http://ow.ly/DVcon

Climate and Weather -

• US drought update: dryness continues across Minnesota, Arkansas and northwest Louisiana; recent rains ameliorate Missouri dryness http://ow.ly/wmTdv
• NOAA Climate Prediction Center drought outlook for November: south-central Plains and Ohio Valley should see ample rains http://ow.ly/q3yAx
• UN's IPCC: rapid carbon emission cuts vital to stop severe impact of climate change http://ow.ly/DIWgS
• Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.): IPCC climate change report is ‘extreme’ and would ‘cripple’ global economy http://ow.ly/DRRuV
• Climate change an opportunity for Iowa farmers http://ow.ly/DOC0N

In the Cities -

• Memphis leadership is standing their ground in face of opposition to improved biking and walking infrastructure http://ow.ly/DRGse
• New Brookings Institution interactives show trade flows of goods among 75 largest U.S. markets and 25 largest global markets, Including Mississippi River port cities http://ow.ly/DUVvU

In the States-

• North Dakota voters soundly defeated a measure Tuesday that would have set aside oil and gas tax revenue for land conservation efforts http://ow.ly/DS0AO
• Across the country, Republicans will control 68 of 98 partisan state legislatures next year http://ow.ly/DVhQQ

Gulf Coastal Region-

• U. S. EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program partnership accepting nominations for the 2015 Gulf Guardian award http://ow.ly/DJkb7
• Levee authority, two oil companies release copy of $50,000 wetland damage lawsuit settlement agreement http://ow.ly/DOBBu

Forestry -

• 88-foot, 13,000-pound, 2014 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree cut from Chippewa National Forest in north central Minnesota http://ow.ly/DJf7b

Resource Development -

• University of Wisconsin, Madison scientists discover new way to break down woody waste left after plant-based fuel manufacture http://ow.ly/DOEOr
• Republicans will have the Senate votes in 2015 to green-light construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline http://ow.ly/DRLeF
• Falling oil prices make fracking for oil less lucrative http://ow.ly/DRX72
• Louisiana added 225 jobs in the biofuels industry during the third quarter http://ow.ly/DXZkL

Federal Budget -

• Work is already underway on an omnibus government funding bill for the lame duck session of Congress beginning November 12 http://ow.ly/DIY0I

Events - Information on all past and future events listed here each week can be viewed in the on-line calendar, located above and to the right (and here as a stand-alone calendar)

• EPA and USDA Public Listening Sessions on Pollinator Strategy; November 12 and 17, Washington, D.C. area http://ow.ly/DUOwC
• 2014 National Clean Water Law Seminar: conference focused on municipal clean water legal, regulatory challenges, Nov. 19-21, St. Petersburg, FL http://ow.ly/DJ4yk
• Save the date: December 11 December 9 (date change) Great Waters Webinar: "Time to End the Slime – Addressing Nutrient Pollution" 3 PM EST http://ow.ly/DXJAc
• Society for Ecological Restoration Midwest-Great Lakes Annual Chapter Meeting, March 27-29, 2015, Chicago, Illinois http://ow.ly/DJaDp
• 4th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science, La Crosse, Wisconsin, August 23–28, 2015 http://ow.ly/DRMbQ

e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia  -

• Green Lands Blue Waters update highlighting Mississippi River Basin continuous living cover on agricultural land http://ow.ly/DN98L
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Feedlot Update - Nov. 5, 2014 http://ow.ly/DUC4d
• Water Environment Federation November Stormwater Report - ow.ly/DVEso
• Ohio Wetlands Association's November newsletter ow.ly/DVDme
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Waterfront Bulletin for November 2014 ow.ly/DVlMl
• NW PAssages E-Zine ~ November 2014; Exploring Greenways and Recreational activities in Northwest Pennsylvania http://ow.ly/DXIuf
• Montana Watershed Coordination Council's Watershed News, November 6 http://ow.ly/DXIKw
• Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy November 5 TUWaterWays e-newsletter http://ow.ly/DXNAq

Other news-

• U.S. House plans votes on 2 bills to increase transparency in scientific process behind environmental rules http://ow.ly/DXNnt
• Position Announcement: University of Minnesota Extension - Aquatic Invasive Species Extension Educator http://ow.ly/DKbhC
• Geological anomolies in landscape may have been caused by meteorites at Jeptha Knob in Kentucky and in the middle of Tennessee http://ow.ly/DKsHC

Politics and People-

• Earl Emmitt Everett, Democrat in race for U.S. House seat in eastern Oklahoma, dies from car accident injuries http://ow.ly/DODsf
• President chooses Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson as liaison to state and local governments ow.ly/DVN4R
• Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) won't be announcing any plans to leave Congress soon, despite a flurry of speculation http://ow.ly/DQWRL
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: no matter who wins Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, Pennsylvania's prognosis is bleak ow.ly/DJLqS

Mid-term Elections

Women in Congress over time
(click to enlarge)

• Next year there will be 100 women in Congress for the first time http://ow.ly/DROxv (graphics to the right)
• Here is the Freshman class of the 114th Congress http://ow.ly/DUCQP
• Here is a list of potential GOP Senate Committee chairmen or chairwomen likely to take the gavel in the 114th Congress http://ow.ly/DRKCw
• Anticipating House and Senate committee changes in the 114th Congress http://ow.ly/DUOWy
• The Big picture - control of the House and Senate by-the-numbers http://ow.ly/DQXlC
• U.S. Senate Election Results (interactive map): http://ow.ly/DQYjm
• U.S. House Election Results (interactive map): http://ow.ly/DQYyL
• 2014 Governor Election Results (interactive map): http://ow.ly/DQYJm

Your Moment of Zen -

Gray Fox

What We Learned This Week - "Far From the Madding Crowd"

The loudest news this week in the U.S. centered on the mid-term election, and in its aftermath, some senior GOP Senators from the Mississippi River Basin are poised to chair several key, water-related Committees.  The election results were a bit "reddish" from a Mississippi River Basin perspective. But beyond the electoral din, there was news of slightly greater consequence. And here it is. Most of Montana’s surface water bodies are degraded.  USDA's Conservation Reserve Program enrollment plunged to 7-year low as corn acreage expanded.  The U.S. Geological Survey now makes real-time nitrate water concentration data available on-line from a total of 86 sites nationwide; many in the Mississippi River Basin. Oil-rich North Dakota voters soundly defeated a measure Tuesday that would have set aside oil and gas tax revenue for land conservation. Far from the electoral bluster, House and Senate appropriation committees' staff are quietly planning an ambitious wrap-up spending package for Congress' lame duck session.  The Earth is locked on an "irreversible" course of climatic disruption. The U.S. Senator who will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee in the next Congress called that climate view "extreme."  The odds are high that any pumpkin in your next pie started out in Illinois.   A barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn in Kentucky may play a role in White House-Senate relations over the next two years.  The worst rail delays in over a decade are impeding Midwest crop shipments, and sending commodity prices up sharply. Pasta prices are rising, too.  And last but not least, next year there will be 100 women in Congress for the first time (Ed. note: That's 18.7 percent of the 535 voting members of Congress).

Nitrate in the Mississippi River Basin Surface Waters Now Tracked and Accessible in Real Time

USGS: Nutrients remain elevated in U.S. streams

and groundwater

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) now makes available nitrate water concentration information from select Mississippi River Basin stations, and from a total of 86 sites nationwide.  Within the Mississippi River Basin, nitrate remote monitoring stations have been set up at these River main stem and large tributary locations: the Iowa River at Wapello, Iowa;  the Illinois River at Florence, Illinois; the Ohio River at Olmsted, Illinois; and the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Stations are also located on other Mississippi River Basin rivers and streams, including elsewhere on the Ohio and Illinois Rivers, and on the Cedar River, Iowa River, Des Moines River, Green River and Platte River, among others.

This related article, appearing in the November 4 issue of Environmental Science and Technology, provides an overview of one of the uses for that monitoring network data.  The article summarizes USGS efforts to quantifying nitrate loading from the Mississippi River, providing a basis, ultimately, for predicting Gulf of Mexico summer hypoxia. USGS used recent advances in high frequency nitrate sensors to evaluate nitrate loading model performance compared to loads actually measured in the lower Mississippi River.

The remote monitoring stations are operated in cooperation with several local, state and other federal agencies, and supported by the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting Network, Cooperative Water Program, and National Water-Quality Assessment Program.

The USGS lead author, Brian Pellerin, can be contacted with any questions about the Environmental Science and Technology article. Mike Woodside, of the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program can be contacted with questions concerning the monitoring network.

How the U.S. Mid-Term Elections Turned Out in the Mississippi River Basin

The nation's long electoral marathon is over, a minority (36.6%) of the voting population having spoken (early indications from various regions indicate that Gallup polling predictions of low enthusiasm were proven right). Those who were inspired to vote gave control of the U.S. Senate to Republicans, while the Republican majority in the House grew by a baker's dozen (presently, several House races, two Senate races and one Governor's race are too close to call).  Below is an overview of the Congressional and gubernatorial election results in the Mississippi River states, along with a snapshot of key races elsewhere in the River Basin. (Ed. note: There are 734 days until the 2016 elections).

Minnesota - Al Franken (D) successfully retained his Senate seat with ease, collecting 53.2 percent of the vote. In House races, incumbents were returned to Washington except in Minnesota's 6th district, where Republican Tom Emmer won the seat vacated by Michele Bachmann (R).  One of those incumbents, Minnesota’s most senior member of Congress, Collin Peterson (D), won his 13th term.

Wisconsin - In House races, incumbents were reelected except in Wisconsin's open 6th district race, where Republican Glenn Grotham succeeds the more moderate Tom Petri (R). Incumbent Governor Scott Walker (R) was reelected with 52.3 percent of the vote.

Iowa - Joni Ernst (R) easily defeated Rep. Bruce Braley (D) in the race for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first woman sent by that state to Congress.  Governor Terry Branstad (R) was handily reelected to an historic sixth term.  Rod Blum (R) won Iowa's first district House seat, and David Young (R) won in the third district in the two Iowa House seats where no incumbent was running. Young was previously a long time aid to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R).  In the other two Iowa districts, incumbents won reelection. 

Illinois - For the first time in 70 years, a Republican will represent most of Southern Illinois in the U.S. House, as incumbent Bruce Enyart (D) was defeated by Mike Bost (R) in the 12th district race. The only Mississippi River-bordered Illinois district now held by a Democrat is the 17th District, where Cheri Bustos easily retained her seat, defeating Republican Bobby Schilling for the second straight election. Incumbent Brad Schneider (D-10th district) lost to to Republican Bob Dold in that Chicago region race (partially within the Illinois River basin). Elsewhere across the state, incumbents held onto their seats, including Senator Dick Durbin (D), who was reelected to a fourth term. The Illinois Governor's mansion changed hands, as incumbent Pat Quinn (D) lost to Republican Bruce Rauner.

Missouri - There were no Senate or Gubernatorial races in the state, and each of the eight House incumbents retained their seats.

Kentucky - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) was easily reelected to his U.S. Senate seat, and will become that chamber's Majority Leader in the 114th Congress when it convenes in January. He defeated Allison Grimes (D) in a closely-watched race that in the end was not very close, with McConnell winning by more than 200,000 votes.  All of Kentucky's House incumbents will return to their seats, and the state retained its nearly-red colored House map; the only Democratic House member being John Yarmuth from the state's 3rd district, serving Louisville and bordering the Ohio River.

Tennessee - Lamar Alexander (R) easily retained his U.S. Senate seat with nearly 62 percent of voters agreeing to return him to Washington.  All nine of Tennessee's House members were reelected to serve in the 114th Congress.  Republican Governor Bill Haslam was reelected in what can only be called a "landslide" victory, winning with 70.3 percent of the vote. 

Arkansas - For the first time in 141 years, Arkansas will not have a Democrat in its congressional delegation.  The 1st and 3rd House districts in Arkansas saw incumbents running for reelection, and Rick Crawford (R) and Steve Womack (R), respectively, were handily reelected to serve those districts. Arkansas' 2nd district seat was narrowly won by French Hill (R), who will succeed Rep. Tim Griffin (R).  Griffin did not seek reelection. Bruce Westerman won the Arkansas 4th district race to succeed Tom Cotton (R), who ran for and was elected to the U.S. Senate over incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor (D).  Republican Asa Hutchinson was elected Governor in an open race, defeating fellow ex-House Member Mike Ross (D).

Mississippi - Sen. Thad Cochran (R) won reelection to the Senate for a seventh term, and will very likely chair that chamber's Appropriations Committee.  All of Mississippi's House incumbents were reelected.

Louisiana - As anticipated, none of the three major Senate candidates running in Louisiana captured 50 percent or more of the votes, and the election battle between the top two vote-getters - incumbent MaryLandrieu (D) and her challenger Rep Bill Cassidy (R) - will end in a December 6 runoff election.  The races for the 5th and 6th House districts are also headed to December 6 runoffs, after candidates in those elections split the vote Tuesday.  Incumbents were returned to their seats in the other Louisiana House districts.

Elsewhere in the River Basin - Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) defeated a challenge from independent Greg Orman, dashing perhaps the only real Democratic hope to pick up a Republican Senate seat. Roberts is in line to chair the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee in the next Congress.  Incumbent James J. Inhofe (R-Okla.) easily won reelection, and is poised to become Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the next Congress.  The conservative Inhofe has said he's a big spender on only two issues: infrastructure and defense.

Republican Shelley Moore Capito was the winner of the open West Virginia U.S. Senate race, as were Republicans Steve Daines (Montana) and Mike Rounds, South Dakota), in those open races.

Incumbents Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Governor Tom Corbett (R-Pa.) were defeated in their respective races. Rahall was defeated by Evan Jenkins (R). Udall lost to Cory Gardner.  And Corbett was beaten by Democrat Tom Wolf.  Rahall was Ranking Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and played a key role in several major bills coming out of that Committee recently, including the 2012 highway and transit reauthorization bill, and the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), earlier this year.

Finally, North Dakota voters soundly defeated a ballot measure Tuesday that would have set aside oil and gas tax revenue for land conservation efforts in that oil-rich state..