tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85061744152592483802024-03-13T13:30:55.283-04:00Mississippi River Basin BlogThis "virtual newspaper for an aquatic world" contains musings, science, facts and opinions-both profound and mundane-about the River region, its people and natural resources, and their nexus to the Washington, DC scene.
Comments and other written contributions are always appreciated.NEMW Mississippi River Basin Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013487413103838258noreply@blogger.comBlogger878125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-76465932754684763892015-12-17T15:20:00.001-05:002015-12-17T15:20:23.950-05:00And in the end . . .Final day at the office for the Northeast-Midwest Institute . . . and a clean desk at last! Stay in touch everyone: <a href="mailto:gormanme1@gmail.com" target="_blank">gormanme1@gmail.com</a> and (mobile/text) 571-215-5671.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-81131014800249199602015-12-17T09:51:00.000-05:002015-12-17T09:51:39.444-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>This Week and Next</i></b><br />
In the early morning hours of Wednesday (December 16), the House Rules Committee released a<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_j4_gylavY/VnGmnCictvI/AAAAAAAAKVs/2Bo2FbGnY5I/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_j4_gylavY/VnGmnCictvI/AAAAAAAAKVs/2Bo2FbGnY5I/s200/untitled.png" width="200" /></a></div>
2009-page, <a href="http://ow.ly/VY0rg">omnibus appropriations bill</a> that would set levels of federal government discretionary spending for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year. The bill is poised to be approved by House this Friday, before moving on to the Senate for debate and likely passage. On Wednesday, Congress passed another short-term spending extension known as a Continuing Resolution, giving lawmakers through December 22 to clear the long-term measure. <br />
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Most of the contentious environmental policy provisions (known as riders) that were being considered by negotiators did not make their way into the final draft, leaving a wake of discouragement and disappointment within the Republican faction. Following release of the measure, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) noted that "it's a disappointment for those of us who wanted to see some real policy prohibitions and policy directions determined by the appropriations process.” Riders not making the cut included language that would have blocked funding to implement the Clean Water (or Waters of the U.S.) Rule, and a proposed Interior Department "Stream Protection Rule." To see a fuller summary of items in the omnibus legislation that may be of particular interest to Mississippi River Basin stakeholders, you can check out <a href="http://nemwuppermiss.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-proposed-fy-2016-omnibus.html" target="_blank">this article</a>.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F51k6PNn6L8/VnGrGLx83rI/AAAAAAAAKV4/_vuv-xuLdEU/s1600/sledding005_030515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F51k6PNn6L8/VnGrGLx83rI/AAAAAAAAKV4/_vuv-xuLdEU/s200/sledding005_030515.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Perhaps most importantly, the omnibus package includes a provision that House appropriators attached to a spending bill back in April - one that urges the U.S. Capitol Police Board to allow sledding on Capitol Hill. Now all that is needed is snow - no small feat in these climate-balmy times.<br />
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Up next? Not much - in Washington, DC, at least. As the holidays approach, lawmakers (and your FNB<b>*</b>) will by and large flee the capital once the omnibus spending legislation passes. That leaves us time to look ahead to 2016. As an aid to those who like to gaze into legislative crystal balls, here are the 2016 legislative calendars for the U.S. <a href="http://www.majorityleader.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2016-MONTHLY-CALENDAR.pdf" target="_blank">House</a> and <a href="http://grprofessionals.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2016-Senate-Schedule.pdf" target="_blank">Senate</a>. I would venture to guess that if past election year performance is an indication of future returns, not much will happen in 2016 on the federal legislative front (possible passage of a new Water Resources Development Act being a notable exception). <br />
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But did you know that so far this year, over 140,000 bills have been introduced in state legislatures? Next year should be equally as busy, and often those bills get passed and have a significant bearing on water resources. Here is a nice <a href="http://ow.ly/VYeHV" target="_blank">summary table</a> should you care to see when your particular state house of concern will be in session in 2016.</div>
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<b>*</b>Friendly Neighborhood Blogger</div>
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<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7MIrKipmyw/Vm6-m7vwGkI/AAAAAAAAKUI/jq-MXqqZOnc/s1600/20151028_dupont_mcgarvey_05871446595149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7MIrKipmyw/Vm6-m7vwGkI/AAAAAAAAKUI/jq-MXqqZOnc/s200/20151028_dupont_mcgarvey_05871446595149.jpg" title="Ohio River’s “Chemical Valley.” (Maddie McGarvey/For The Washington Post)" width="200" /></a><br />
Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>In the Ohio River's ‘Chemical Valley,’ a debate over good jobs and bad health: C8 in the region's water <a href="http://ow.ly/VQMS3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQMS3</a></li>
<li>GAO finds that the EPA broke the law with its social media push for the Clean Water (WOTUS) Rule; EPA disagrees with findings <a href="http://ow.ly/VTMHE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTMHE</a></li>
<li>Lack of spending bill rider leaves some farmers worried about future of Clean Water Rule <a href="http://ow.ly/W1nnG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1nnG</a></li>
<li>North Dakota researchers are concerned about the lack of reliable data about oil pipeline spills in the state <a href="http://ow.ly/VU1bk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU1bk</a></li>
<li>North Dakota regulators are considering easing a $2.4 million fine against a Texas company for a pipeline spill that went unnoticed for three months <a href="http://ow.ly/VU3kQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU3kQ</a></li>
<li>Cleanup under way on 42,000-gallon water and clay spill at North Dakota pipeline site <a href="http://ow.ly/VU1Xd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU1Xd</a></li>
<li>National Academies: EPA should develop rigorous, risk-based guidelines for reuse of untreated residential wastewater, stormwater runoff <a href="http://src.bna.com/bzh" target="_blank">http://src.bna.com/bzh</a></li>
<li>St. Cloud State University study will look at impact on fish of pharmaceuticals that can enter rivers and lakes through wastewater treatment plant effluents <a href="http://ow.ly/VUaCv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUaCv</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>Supreme Court will consider whether federal determination that a wetland qualifies for Clean <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKjO1-Nbxgk/Vm7QELH8clI/AAAAAAAAKUY/0nUCBbPykSE/s1600/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKjO1-Nbxgk/Vm7QELH8clI/AAAAAAAAKUY/0nUCBbPykSE/s200/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
Water Act protection can be subject to court challenge <a href="http://ow.ly/VQWzL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQWzL</a></li>
<li>National Academies report: Data gaps prevent FEMA officials from understanding how rising prices for federal flood insurance will affect policyholders <a href="http://ow.ly/VYgMk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYgMk</a></li>
<li>S. 611, a bill to provide financial and technical assistance to small, rural drinking water systems, signed into law by President <a href="http://ow.ly/VQTH8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQTH8</a></li>
<li>Barges on the Ohio River in western Pennsylvania are diversifying their loads as coal shipments decline <a href="http://ow.ly/VQYjG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQYjG</a></li>
<li>Pair of towboats collide on the Lower Mississippi River near Memphis; one sinks as a result <a href="http://ow.ly/VYdqQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYdqQ</a></li>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers is inspecting New Orleans levee system as Mississippi River rises more than 12 feet above sea level <a href="http://ow.ly/VU1ue" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU1ue</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District, levee officials keep eye on rising Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/W1l4D" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1l4D</a></li>
<li>Water Environment Federation report: "Rainfall to Results: The Future of Stormwater" <a href="http://ow.ly/VU4nH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU4nH</a></li>
<li>New report examines proven strategies for reducing green infrastructure costs <a href="http://ow.ly/VU4Z0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU4Z0</a></li>
<li>Interior Department announces plans for new Natural Resource Investment Center to leverage private capital to help meet water infrastructure and conservation needs <a href="http://ow.ly/VY9ms" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VY9ms</a> (administration's fact sheet: <a href="http://ow.ly/VZ6o1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VZ6o1</a>)</li>
<li>Pueblo Conservancy District's Arkansas River levee work expected to resume in February <a href="http://ow.ly/W1BuL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1BuL</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_HQmGA-E_g/VnFo62sYhzI/AAAAAAAAKU8/vaBp4d3mz4I/s1600/AmaranthusRetroflexus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_HQmGA-E_g/VnFo62sYhzI/AAAAAAAAKU8/vaBp4d3mz4I/s200/AmaranthusRetroflexus.jpg" title=""Pigweed"" width="130" /></a>Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) seeks nominees Administrative Council <a href="http://ow.ly/W1w7s" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1w7s</a></li>
<li>Field to Market releases Request for Proposals for the technical development of a revised Water Quality Metric <a href="http://ow.ly/W1wHw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1wHw</a></li>
<li>Lawyer of environmental, animal rights coalition tells court that two new Wyoming laws improperly bar them from gathering agricultural information <a href="http://ow.ly/VQLoV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQLoV</a></li>
<li>USDA issues long-awaited final rule guiding eligibility for farm program payments; story: <a href="http://ow.ly/VY8SP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VY8SP</a> USDA release: <a href="http://ow.ly/VY8VI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VY8VI</a></li>
<li>Several varieties of pigweed adapt rapidly to develop Roundup resistance and emerge as farm "super pest" <a href="http://ow.ly/VYfQl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYfQl</a></li>
<li>Iowa farmland values drop 3.9 percent from 2014 levels <a href="http://ow.ly/W1nXZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1nXZ</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA Weekly US drought update: much of the Plains and Mississippi Valley dryness is alleviated except in the Dakotas and adjacent Minnesota; Indiana drought remains largely unchanged <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>USGS study confirms a wetter South Dakota climate east of the Missouri River over the last six and a half decades <a href="http://ow.ly/W1DYk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1DYk</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIFT5nDeTuE/VnAXxT8kvEI/AAAAAAAAKUs/Wq8Yjy2lQrk/s1600/big_sandy_crayfish_credit_960x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIFT5nDeTuE/VnAXxT8kvEI/AAAAAAAAKUs/Wq8Yjy2lQrk/s320/big_sandy_crayfish_credit_960x400.jpg" title="Big Sandy Crayfish" width="320" /></a>Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopens public comment period on proposed rule listing Big Sandy crayfish and Guyandotte River crayfish as endangered species (Kentucky and West Virginia) <a href="http://ow.ly/VTVmv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTVmv</a></li>
<li>Fish and Wildlife Service initiating 5-year status reviews under Endangered Species Act for several listed Mississippi River Basin plants and animals <a href="http://ow.ly/W1lZW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1lZW</a></li>
<li>Effort to keep Mississippi River Basin Asian carp out of the Great Lakes appears stymied <a href="http://ow.ly/W1ko0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1ko0</a></li>
<li>USFWS has not halted any of the 88,000 actions and developments considered potentially harmful to the nation’s endangered species over the past seven years <a href="http://ow.ly/VTWTF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTWTF</a></li>
<li>USFWS National Fish Passage Program awards $1.6 million to support Midwest fish passage projects, including these in the Mississippi River Basin: Eel River, Indiana, Wapsipinicon River Basin, Iowa, Moniteau Creek, Missouri <a href="http://ow.ly/VU9zz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU9zz</a></li>
<li>North Dakota Game and Fish Department proposes to extend aquatic invasive species prevention practices statewide <a href="http://ow.ly/VYjo1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYjo1</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QicrkgC1lrw/VnLEwy0VhmI/AAAAAAAAKWM/thKpPdziFMc/s1600/unnamed.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QicrkgC1lrw/VnLEwy0VhmI/AAAAAAAAKWM/thKpPdziFMc/s200/unnamed.webp" width="200" /></a>In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Cincinnati</b> Connects proposes 42-mile bicycle, pedestrian loop to link disconnected bike trails <a href="http://ow.ly/W1CCR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1CCR</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Minnesota</b> state legislature scheduled to reconvene at noon on March 8, must adjourn by May 23 <a href="http://ow.ly/VYezj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYezj</a> (here is a list of all the U.S. states' 2016 legislative calendars: <a href="http://ow.ly/VYeHV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYeHV</a>)</li>
<li><b>Wisconsin</b> DNR $3 million surface water management grant application deadline approaching (February 1) <a href="http://ow.ly/VYk0R" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYk0R</a></li>
<li>National Association of State Budget Officers reports that states' spending will rise in 2015 for the sixth straight year, as states settle in to a slow-growth era <a href="http://ow.ly/VTYWR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTYWR</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania</b> DEP announces major reorganization of water management responsibilities <a href="http://ow.ly/VUcHY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUcHY</a> (organizational chart: <a href="http://ow.ly/VUcO1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUcO1</a>)</li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania</b> lawmakers aim for state budget bill by week's end <a href="http://ow.ly/VYqdx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYqdx</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Jefferson Parish, Louisiana deciding how it will spend $20 million from BP settlement <a href="http://ow.ly/VQPOD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQPOD</a></li>
<li>Louisiana coastal project offers new shoreline stabilization and restoration solutions for wetlands <a href="http://ow.ly/VQQaS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQQaS</a></li>
<li>Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council announces initial activities that the Council will fund and prioritize for further consideration <a href="http://ow.ly/VTVZw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTVZw</a> (more: news article coverage <a href="http://ow.ly/VUbWS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUbWS</a>)</li>
<li>Editorial, <i>The Daily Comet</i>: "It'll take more than common sense to save Louisiana's coast" <a href="http://ow.ly/VTY6B" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTY6B</a></li>
<li><i>Nature</i>: Mississippi River is the primary contributor of sediment for most coastal wetland development <a href="http://ow.ly/VTYxA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTYxA</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA extends comment period until February 12 for "Opportunity to Provide Information on Existing Programs that Protect Water Quality from Forest Road Discharges" <a href="http://ow.ly/W1lrs" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1lrs</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>Environmental groups object to bankruptcy deal between West Virginia DEP and coal company Alpha Natural Resources Inc. over mine reclamation liabilities <a href="http://ow.ly/VYl18" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYl18</a></li>
<li>Groups file complaint with regulators over Arch Coal financial bonds guaranteeing reclamation in Wyoming <a href="http://ow.ly/W1uTx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1uTx</a></li>
<li>EPA publishes final rule setting Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016 (effective February 12, 2016) <a href="http://ow.ly/VQQSb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQQSb</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Supreme Court upholds lower court decision requiring an environmental study for the Sandpiper pipeline project <a href="http://ow.ly/VYpGU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYpGU</a></li>
<li>Opponents of proposed Bakken oil pipeline accuse Iowa DNR of trying to prevent them from <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpFdUEhdyA8/VnLG6jcV1sI/AAAAAAAAKWY/fJLL68Gg3uM/s1600/bakken_pipeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpFdUEhdyA8/VnLG6jcV1sI/AAAAAAAAKWY/fJLL68Gg3uM/s320/bakken_pipeline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
publicly voicing objections <a href="http://ow.ly/W1sP4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1sP4</a></li>
<li>Part of Bakken pipeline would go over publicly owned Iowa land and water, including the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers; Iowa decision due in 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/W1EuM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1EuM</a></li>
<li>Illinois regulators follow South Dakota's lead and approve their state's portion of the Bakken Pipeline <a href="http://ow.ly/W1Fuw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1Fuw</a></li>
<li>Op-ed: Pennsylvania's pipeline infrastructure task force put industry first and the public last <a href="http://ow.ly/VQNBx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQNBx</a></li>
<li>Obama administration may appeal federal court ruling in Wyoming that temporarily blocks new regulations on fracking on federal land <a href="http://ow.ly/VQZ8X" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQZ8X</a></li>
<li>Frac sand industry officials are optimistic that 2016 will be a better year for the market in Wisconsin and Minnesota than 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/VU30O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VU30O</a></li>
<li>Company aiming to build 255-mile pipeline to carry gas from shale across Ohio (partly in Mississippi River Basin) <a href="http://ow.ly/VYb8h" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYb8h</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>) </i>-<br />
<ul>
<li>Proposed fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill released early on Wednesday morning (House vote anticipated on Friday) <a href="http://ow.ly/VY5DG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VY5DG</a></li>
</ul>
Events -<br />
<ul>
<li>Association of State Wetland Managers Webinar: "Improving Wetland Restoration "Success": What We've Learned So Far" <b>December 15</b>, 3 pm ET <a href="http://ow.ly/VUltY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUltY</a></li>
<li>Mighty Quapaw Solstice-Christmas Party, at sunset on <b>December 19</b>, Banks of the Sunflower River, Clarksdale, Mississippi <a href="http://ow.ly/W1u1t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1u1t</a></li>
<li>FEMA offers advanced floodplain management course; <b>April 11–14</b>, <b>July 11– 14, </b>and<b> August 29 – September 1, </b>2016, Emmitsburg, Maryland <a href="http://ow.ly/VQXBz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQXBz</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch </i>No 325, December 14: Mountain Classroom: the Mighty Mississippi <a href="http://ow.ly/VUeHy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUeHy</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy December 16 <i>TUWaterWays</i> "Water News and More" <a href="http://ow.ly/VZ8m8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VZ8m8</a></li>
<li><i>NW PAssages</i> e-magazine December 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/W1A9n" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1A9n</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <i>Waterfront Bulletin</i> for December 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/W1HZP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/W1HZP</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oqS6Nd4cP8/VnFxofR-cqI/AAAAAAAAKVM/8GkJhtl7mkE/s1600/unnamed.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oqS6Nd4cP8/VnFxofR-cqI/AAAAAAAAKVM/8GkJhtl7mkE/s200/unnamed.webp" width="200" /></a>
<li>Coal ash utilization, which had stalled between 2009 and 2013, increased significantly in 2014 in anticipation of December 2014 final federal coal ash rule <a href="http://ow.ly/VYlWo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYlWo</a></li>
<li>EPA changing name of its Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response to the Office of Land and Emergency Management <a href="http://ow.ly/VTUz1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTUz1</a></li>
<li>EPA <a href="http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/A0114BE9C030C0B385257F1D006B3D26" target="_blank">Announces 2015 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results</a> </li>
</ul>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bna.com/wrrn/core_adp/get_object/epaa14g1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://news.bna.com/wrrn/core_adp/get_object/epaa14g1.png" height="185" title="BNA: Eight of the 14 slots requiring Senate confirmation at the EPA are unfilled or staffed with acting officials" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>It's increasingly unlikely that additional USEPA officials will gain Senate confirmation during this presidency <a href="http://ow.ly/VYcu9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VYcu9</a> (<i>related table to the right</i>)</li>
<li>Iowa Gov. <b>Terry Branstad</b> (R) on Monday became the longest serving governor in U.S. history <a href="http://ow.ly/VQOe8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VQOe8</a></li>
<li>Republican U.S. Rep. <b>Charles Boustany</b> announces run for Louisiana US Senate seat <a href="http://ow.ly/VTQcA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VTQcA</a></li>
<li>American Farm Bureau Federation members will have four candidates to consider in January in vote for AFBF President <a href="http://ow.ly/VUfaD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VUfaD</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
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Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-46607651946921826882015-12-17T07:00:00.000-05:002015-12-17T07:43:12.135-05:00The Proposed FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Legislation and Mississippi River Basin Water Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the early morning hours of Wednesday (December 16) the House Rules Committee released a proposed <a href="http://ow.ly/VY0rg" target="_blank">omnibus appropriations bill</a> that would set levels of federal government discretionary spending for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year. The bill is due to be considered and passed by House this Friday, before moving on to the Senate for debate and likely passage. Later on Wednesday, Congress passed another short-term spending extension known as a Continuing Resolution, giving lawmakers through December 22 to pass the long-term measure. <br />
<br />
Most of the contentious environmental policy provisions (known as riders) that were being considered by negotiators did not make their way into the final draft, including measures that would have blocked funding for implementing the Clean Water (or Waters of the U.S.) Rule, and a proposed Interior Department "Stream Protection Rule." In addition to the legislative language, itself, included in the Rules Committee release were separate "Explanatory Statements" providing further breakdown of the funding levels, and direction to departments and agencies funded by the bill. The following Explanatory Statements relate most directly to water resource issues: </div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://docs.house.gov/meetings/RU/RU00/20151216/104298/HMTG-114-RU00-20151216-SD002.pdf">Agriculture, Rural Development, Food And Drug Administration, and Related Agencies</a> (including the Natural Resources Conservation Service - NRCS) </li>
<li><a href="http://docs.house.gov/meetings/RU/RU00/20151216/104298/HMTG-114-RU00-20151216-SD005.pdf">Energy And Water Development and Related Agencies</a> (including the Army Corps of Engineers)</li>
<li><a href="http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20151214/114-SAHR2029ca-DivisionG.pdf">Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies</a> (including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, and USDA Forest Service)</li>
<li><a href="http://docs.house.gov/meetings/RU/RU00/20151216/104298/HMTG-114-RU00-20151216-SD003.pdf">Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies</a> (including NOAA)</li>
<li><a href="http://docs.house.gov/meetings/RU/RU00/20151216/104298/HMTG-114-RU00-20151216-SD007.pdf">Department of Homeland Security</a> (including FEMA)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Below is a summary of several items in the omnibus legislation that may be of particular interest to Mississippi River Basin stakeholders.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
For the Department of Interior</div>
<ul>
<li>Reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund through September 30, 2018, providing the program with $450 Million in discretionary funds for fiscal year 2016 (a one-time increase of $143.86 Million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level)</li>
<li>$35.145 Million for the North American Wetland Conservation Fund</li>
<li>$13.228 Million for payments to counties authorized by the National Wildlife Refuge Fund</li>
<li>$213.1 Million for USGS Water Resources surveys, investigations and research under the agency's newly-requested budget structure, including $92.79 Million for National Water Quality Programs</li>
<li>Directs the National Park Service "to undertake a study for the development of a permanent headquarters and visitor use facility at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in close proximity to the existing temporary headquarters and the river."</li>
</ul>
For the Environmental Protection Agency:<br />
<ul>
<li>$8.14 Billion for the EPA overall (equal to fiscal year 2015 funding level), including $2.61 Billion for Environmental Programs and Management</li>
<li>$1.394 Million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) ($<span id="goog_2044898089"></span>.055 Million below the fiscal year 2015 funding level) and $.86 Million for the Drinking Water SRF ($<span id="goog_2044898089"></span>.044 Million below the fiscal year 2015 funding level)</li>
<li>$164.92 Million for Clean Water Act Nonpoint source (Section 319) grant program ($5.66 Million over the fiscal year 2015 funding level)</li>
</ul>
<div>
For the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)</div>
<ul>
<li>$100 Million for the Pre-disaster Mitigation Fund ($75 million above the fiscal year 2015 funding level)</li>
</ul>
<div>
For the USDA-NRCS</div>
<ul>
<li>$850.856 Million for NRCS operations ($4.4 Million above the fiscal year 2015 funding level)</li>
<li>$12 Million for the NRCS Watershed Rehabilitation Program (equal to the fiscal year 2015 funding level - the administration had requested nothing for this program)</li>
<li>Carries over the same limitations from fiscal year 2015 to the mandatory farm bill Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), cutting funding by $321 million below the farm bill authorized level</li>
<li>Removes fiscal year 2015 limitations that had been placed on the mandatory farm bill Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
</li>
</ul>
For the Army Corps of Engineers:
<br />
<ul>
<li>$5.99 billion overall to the Army Corps of Engineers ($535 Million over the fiscal year 2015 level)</li>
<li>$19.787 Million for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Restoration (equal to the administration's request)</li>
<li>$500,000 for the Interbasin Control of Great Lakes-Mississippi River Aquatic Nuisance Species Feasibility Study </li>
<li>$400,000 for an Illinois River Basin Restoration Feasibility Study </li>
<li>$700,000 for a Des Moines Levee System Feasibility Study (Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers)</li>
<li>$50,000 for a Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study </li>
<li>$600,000 for a Minnesota River Watershed Feasibility Study </li>
<li>$345 Million for Mississippi River and Tributaries construction, and operation and maintenance</li>
<li>$700,000 for a St. Louis Riverfront Feasibility Study (both sides of the Mississippi River) </li>
<li>Directs the Army Corps to “provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, a report detailing the scope, schedule, and Budget” for completing any update or reanalysis to be undertaken regarding the Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway System Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP).</li>
<li>Continues a limitation included in past appropriation bills that no funds provided to the Corps of Engineers be used “to develop or implement rules or guidance to support implementation of the final Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources released in March 2013 or the final Interagency Guidelines released in December 2014.”</li>
<li>Directs the Corps' Comptroller General to conduct a study on "the cumulative economic impact of all shallow draft ports on the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana."</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-86178170604852207412015-12-11T10:20:00.001-05:002015-12-11T10:30:00.466-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<b><i>This Week and Next</i></b><br />
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Part way into this week Congressional leaders admitted that progress was agonizingly slow on negotiations to deliver a final fiscal year 2016 spending bill before today's (December 11) deadline. Yesterday, the Senate passed a short-term continuing resolution that runs through next Wednesday, December 16, and the House intends to pass the measure today. Leaders hope that the extra five days will allow lawmakers time to reach agreement on spending levels and a host of contentious policy riders, the fates of which remain within the realm of rumors. Even after taking this weekend off, Senators and House members should still have plenty of opportunity to craft a spending bill, since next week's committee calendars are practically empty. There are no committee activities currently scheduled for the week ahead that relate to the Mississippi River Basin water resources.<br />
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati heard oral arguments on <br />
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whether it has exclusive jurisdiction to review appeals relating to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS or "Clean Water") rule. The case outcome rests on the Court's interpretation of a section of the Clean Water Act that determines when lawsuits can skip lower court review and move directly to a U.S. Court of Appeals. Most of the WOTUS cases in federal district and appellate courts are in a holding pattern until the Sixth Circuit Court decides (likely later this month). The three-judge Sixth Circuit Court panel seemed to signal on Monday that the appeals court would be the proper venue to hear WOTUS appeals. That decision would suit the Obama administration, which argued on Monday that the Sixth Circuit should take up case. If the Sixth Circuit Court panel decides otherwise that lower (district) courts have jurisdiction, the decision would provide an opening for WOTUS rule opponents to file numerous challenges, resulting in various, likely-conflicting, decisions, as assorted district court judges come down on different sides of the rule. Such a decision would would stretch out the appeals process overall, giving rule opponents a chance to wait for an administration that might view the rule less favorably. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals also will hear oral arguments on the same issue, during the week of February 22, 2016, on an appeal of a district court ruling that jurisdiction lies exclusively in the court of appeals. Should the Sixth and Eleventh Circuits reach contrary conclusions on jurisdiction, that issue, rather than the actual merits of the challenges, could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.</div>
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<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy: state program to improve farm runoff is ineffective in removing nitrates <a href="http://ow.ly/VLmtk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLmtk</a></li>
<li>6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges signal that WOTUS rule case belongs in appeals court - not district courts, against wishes of rule's challengers <a href="http://ow.ly/VFkbp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFkbp</a> (<i>related article below</i>)</li>
<li>US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals hearing arguments Tuesday on whether jurisdiction to <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOZirP4tQYQ/VmiHceQhq5I/AAAAAAAAKSk/HwqVoP8M0g8/s1600/sullivan_duckweed_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOZirP4tQYQ/VmiHceQhq5I/AAAAAAAAKSk/HwqVoP8M0g8/s200/sullivan_duckweed_2014.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
review Clean Water Rule lies exclusively with the courts of appeals <a href="http://ow.ly/VC0F0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC0F0</a></li>
<li>US House passes microbead ban bill on voice vote; bill now headed to the Senate <a href="http://ow.ly/VC49O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC49O</a> (link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/VC41u" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC41u</a>)</li>
<li>Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) calls on Senate to follow House lead and pass bill to ban plastic microbeads in personal care products <a href="http://ow.ly/VFhSe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFhSe</a></li>
<li>EPA approves water quality rules meant to protect southeastern Montana cropland from natural gas drilling wastewater produced in Wyoming <a href="http://ow.ly/VKX7X" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKX7X</a></li>
<li>EPA proposes to let cadmium criteria for freshwater remain flat for acute exposure and less stringent for chronic exposure <a href="http://ow.ly/VzmVx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VzmVx</a></li>
<li>North Dakota Department of Health notified of 213-barrel source water spill at well owned by Denbury Onshore in Bowman County; 33 barrels not contained <a href="http://ow.ly/VC6av" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC6av</a></li>
<li>Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to fine coal mining company over thousands of Clean Water Act violations, effectively barring company from operating in state <a href="http://ow.ly/VESdI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VESdI</a></li>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Republicans grill Interior Department over proposed stream protection rule <a href="http://ow.ly/VEWdE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VEWdE</a> (link to hearing archive web page: <a href="http://ow.ly/VEWfB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VEWfB</a>)</li>
<li><i>AgriPulse</i>: Water quality trading markets subject of hot debate <a href="http://ow.ly/VFsuZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFsuZ</a></li>
<li>Q and A with Des Moines Water Works manager on how legal challenge to upstream drainage districts is being funded and on the state's voluntary water quality standards <a href="http://bit.ly/1M1PoVr" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1M1PoVr</a></li>
<li>Four separate challenges to EPA's power plant effluent limits will be consolidated into one U.S. Court of Appeals case (Fifth Circuit) <a href="http://ow.ly/VI8xR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI8xR</a> (link to rule: <a href="http://ow.ly/VI8Te" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI8Te</a>)</li>
<li>EPA and West Virginia DEP settle with companies to restore and protect Turkey Creek, and tributary, where 20 unauthorized dams were constructed that blocked natural trout streams and damaged water quality <a href="http://ow.ly/VJqOu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VJqOu</a></li>
<li>America’s Great Waters Coalition's October 20 webinar on nutrient pollution in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River now available online <a href="http://bit.ly/1lSFlNq" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1lSFlNq</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL-12) urges 'no action' on Mississippi River St. Johns Bayou-New Madrid Floodway project <a href="http://ow.ly/VIBd4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIBd4</a></li>
<li>Disputes over the Republican River continue to cost Nebraska millions in legal expenses <a href="http://ow.ly/VCkCm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VCkCm</a></li>
<li>In the face of an Obama veto threat, the U.S. House passes "Red River Private Property Protection Act" to address property dispute issues; in a largely party line vote (253 - 177) <a href="http://ow.ly/VGemw?" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VGemw?</a></li>
<li>Obama administration issues veto threat over proposed bill on property boundaries' dispute <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oO0JUNWcqyk/VmiH3Ude9iI/AAAAAAAAKSs/e_z9wa7E__0/s1600/06857100apr162014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oO0JUNWcqyk/VmiH3Ude9iI/AAAAAAAAKSs/e_z9wa7E__0/s200/06857100apr162014a.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Republican River at Junction City, KS</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
along Red River (Oklahoma and Texas) <a href="http://ow.ly/VEVMz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VEVMz</a></li>
<li>Sens. Rob Portman (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) introduce bill to aid communities facing water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades <a href="http://ow.ly/VC5Az" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC5Az</a></li>
<li>An Interstate Battle for Groundwater: Mississippi and Tennessee are locked in a dispute over who can use Delta’s aquifers <a href="http://ow.ly/VEVAZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VEVAZ</a></li>
<li>New Horinko Group study looks at role of green infrastructure in addressing water management challenges - "Nature, Economics, and Resilience" <a href="http://ow.ly/VFclM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFclM</a></li>
<li>EPA issues guide for developing stormwater prevention plans to minimize stormwater runoff from small construction lots <a href="http://ow.ly/VFTIQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFTIQ</a></li>
<li>Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) introduces bill eliminating U.S. EPA's power to veto some Army Corps of Engineers' projects and aimed at reducing "frivolous lawsuits" <a href="http://ow.ly/VI13d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI13d</a></li>
<li>Missouri River reservoir system releases reduced by Army Corps in late November, marking end of flow support for Missouri River navigation season <a href="http://ow.ly/VKYVb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKYVb</a></li>
<li>President signs landmark freight transport bill that will benefit ports; inland ports and terminals are in the funding mix <a href="http://ow.ly/VL13J" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VL13J</a></li>
<li>Pumped beyond limits, many U.S. aquifers are in decline <a href="http://ow.ly/VLrO5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLrO5</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>In Minnesota's farm country, clean water is costly; better farm practices can help limit water pollution <a href="http://ow.ly/VClaw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VClaw</a></li>
<li>USDA NRCS delays overhaul of Conservation Stewardship Program until 2017 sign-up <a href="http://ow.ly/VF1WF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF1WF</a></li>
<li>New $7.3 million permanent exhibit meant to teach how food is produced is coming to the St. Louis Science Center <a href="http://ow.ly/VC10l" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC10l</a></li>
<li>Review on Antimicrobial Resistance report: Farmers need to dramatically cut the amount of antibiotics used in agriculture, because of the threat to human health <a href="http://ow.ly/VF10b" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF10b</a></li>
<li>Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Farm Foundation to form a Soil Health Institute <a href="http://ow.ly/VFt0n" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFt0n</a></li>
<li>Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR-1) introduces HR 4175 - Groundwater Conservation Incentive Act of 2015 - to allow a deduction for conservation expenditures to reduce groundwater consumption <a href="http://ow.ly/VFSrn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFSrn</a></li>
<li>House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management holds hearing to examine current state of U.S. cotton industry; <i>AgriPulse</i> article: <a href="http://ow.ly/VGqv5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VGqv5</a> Subcommittee release: <a href="http://ow.ly/VFUCD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFUCD</a></li>
<li>House Agriculture subcommittee holds hearing on USDA’s use of Census of Agriculture authority to acquire farmers' personal financial information; archived hearing site <a href="http://ow.ly/VG8v9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VG8v9</a> and subcommittee release: <a href="http://ow.ly/VGq04" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VGq04</a></li>
<li>Gross income for southwestern Kansas farms is down by 20 to 30 percent <a href="http://ow.ly/VL2CV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VL2CV</a></li>
<li>USDA FDA: sales and distribution of antimicrobial drugs approved for on-farm use increased 3 percent from 2013 through 2014 <a href="http://ow.ly/VLu4U" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLu4U</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTUOOejGnk/Vmh8HODo_aI/AAAAAAAAKSU/5kPOrje1DNU/s1600/Screenshot-COP21Blog-WEB_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNTUOOejGnk/Vmh8HODo_aI/AAAAAAAAKSU/5kPOrje1DNU/s200/Screenshot-COP21Blog-WEB_0.jpeg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Dane County, Wisconsin board approves funding for climate action plan <a href="http://ow.ly/VCmaZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VCmaZ</a></li>
<li>Missouri's dependence on coal and prospect of more intense heat waves, rainfall make Paris climate negotiations relevant for region <a href="http://ow.ly/Vzs0b" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vzs0b</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters "The Promise of Paris: An Interview with Wisconsin Leadership at COP21" <a href="http://ow.ly/VG0e9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VG0e9</a></li>
<li>NOAA weekly US drought update: general improvements in dryness and drought throughout the River Basin <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>NOAA: September through November saw “record and near-record warmth” almost everywhere across the U.S. <a href="http://ow.ly/VI5Kh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI5Kh</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKU4Hrgr9_4/VmW9UCSmCDI/AAAAAAAAKRs/LWghpgiQNAc/s1600/3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKU4Hrgr9_4/VmW9UCSmCDI/AAAAAAAAKRs/LWghpgiQNAc/s200/3266.jpg" width="200" /></a>Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>Wisconsin 2015 aerial surveys document a record number of bald eagles since the surveys started 43 years ago <a href="http://ow.ly/VFl3T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFl3T</a></li>
<li>Yellowstone National Park has more gray wolves now than at any point since the species was reintroduced; pressure mounts to lift endangered species protections <a href="http://ow.ly/VzwH1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VzwH1</a></li>
<li>Senate passes bill by unanimous consent that would make the bison the national mammal of the United States <a href="http://ow.ly/VFtqA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFtqA</a></li>
<li>Wildlife officials plan to use GPS collars to track the movements of destructive feral hogs in two Tennessee national parks <a href="http://ow.ly/VAoZ9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VAoZ9</a></li>
<li>USDA announces $40 million in funding to help ranchers restore and protect greater sage-grouse sagebrush habitat <a href="http://ow.ly/VJe5z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VJe5z</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li>Residents see benefits since launch of integrated Greater <b>New Orleans</b> Urban Water Plan <a href="http://ow.ly/VIa27" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIa27</a></li>
<li>From Paris: Mayor Landrieu touts <b>New Orleans</b>' resilience <a href="http://ow.ly/VI9uR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI9uR</a></li>
<li>Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passes "Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act " to recognize and fund communities that adopt plans to handle ecosystem challenges and economic opportunities along their waterfront; link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/VFY9t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFY9t</a>; Committee meeting web site: <a href="http://ow.ly/VFXGf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFXGf</a></li>
<li><b>St. Paul</b> Mayor Coleman, other mayors, address Mississippi River issues at Paris climate talks <a href="http://ow.ly/VF8yE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF8yE</a></li>
<li>Video of Mississippi River Cities and Towns Mayors' Initiative's December 8 "Global River Talks: Sustaining the World’s Food-Producing Rivers" COP 21, Paris, France <a href="https://youtu.be/SiCb6EV21qI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/SiCb6EV21qI</a> (also embedded below)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SiCb6EV21qI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Minnesota </b>Department of Agriculture seeks comments through Jan. 26 relating to proposed state Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule designed to protect groundwater <a href="http://ow.ly/VG1kd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VG1kd</a></li>
<li><b>Ohio </b>Clean Water Compliance and Affordability Act (S. 2358) would set up pilot program to manage wastewater and stormwater using integrated planning <a href="http://ow.ly/VznvV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VznvV</a></li>
<li>Among the major challenges facing <b>Kentucky's</b> new Governor is crafting a new, two-year spending plan for the state by January 26 <a href="http://ow.ly/VCjNG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VCjNG</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>state budget agreement may be collapsing <a href="http://ow.ly/Vzj7W" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vzj7W</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania's</b> Republican-controlled Senate-amended budget bills kill conventional drilling regs, cut growing greener watershed funding, delay climate plan <a href="http://ow.ly/VJglQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VJglQ</a></li>
<li><b>South Dakota</b> Gov. Dennis Daugaard proposes ambitious state budget bolstered by better-than-expected revenues <a href="http://ow.ly/VIBYs" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIBYs</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council approves Initial Funded Priorities List totaling approximately $183 million of ecosystem restoration projects <a href="http://ow.ly/VFZzA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFZzA</a> (<i>related background materials at link below</i>)</li>
<li>Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council background information on proposed initial funded priorities list of Gulf Coastal restoration projects <a href="http://ow.ly/VFYVf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFYVf</a></li>
<li>Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association releases new plan for Red Tide Warning System <a href="http://ow.ly/VGfHO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VGfHO</a></li>
<li><i>The Courier</i> (Houma, Louisiana) editorial: "Move quickly to restore the coast" <a href="http://ow.ly/VKZkp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKZkp</a></li>
<li>Louisiana gains $52.2 million in Restore Act coastal restoration projects, but loses some future funding <a href="http://ow.ly/VKZxw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKZxw</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>US Forest Service publishes "Community Forest and Open Space" proposed rule revision; open for comment until March 7, 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/VC2Cc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC2Cc</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>Obama administration expresses concern about coal mining self-bonding deals in states like West Virginia and Wyoming <a href="http://ow.ly/VEW1j" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VEW1j</a></li>
<li>U.S. taxpayers could be left with multibillion-dollar liabilities if large coal companies are pushed to bankruptcy as part of a practice known as "self-bonding" <a href="http://ow.ly/VIiy6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIiy6</a></li>
<li>Iowa regulators will decide in coming months extent to which oil company can use eminent <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnzhKFqdNVk/VmmKur-SmSI/AAAAAAAAKTM/xkySZ-ErY7o/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-03-28%2Bat%2B3.02.29%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MnzhKFqdNVk/VmmKur-SmSI/AAAAAAAAKTM/xkySZ-ErY7o/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-03-28%2Bat%2B3.02.29%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
domain to build Dakota Access pipeline <a href="http://ow.ly/Vzss1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vzss1</a></li>
<li>Federal judge rejects key parts of lawsuit brought by tribal and environmental groups seeking to block upgrade of Alberta Clipper pipeline through northern Minnesota <a href="http://ow.ly/VIhve" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIhve</a> (<i>see figure to right</i>)</li>
<li>Developer behind Dakota Access oil pipeline project wants Iowa regulators to move faster on its permit-approval process <a href="http://ow.ly/VF7GE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF7GE</a></li>
<li>Colorado Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week over whether local governments can ban fracking <a href="http://ow.ly/VzCx1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VzCx1</a></li>
<li>Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passes bill to update pipeline safety oversight, require prioritizing the completion of existing rules; link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/VFXoC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFXoC</a>; Committee meeting web site: <a href="http://ow.ly/VFXGf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFXGf</a></li>
<li>Fish and Wildlife Service publishes draft rule to increase oversight of oil and gas operations in national wildlife refuges; comments due on or before February 9, 2016; <i>Federal Register </i>notice: <a href="http://ow.ly/VKXDY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKXDY</a> and news article: <a href="http://ow.ly/VL0qR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VL0qR</a></li>
<li>Obama administration considers declaring over 67,000 Tennessee acres unsuitable for surface coal mining following up on state's 2010 petition <a href="http://ow.ly/VJf8B" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VJf8B</a> (related <i>Federal Register</i> notice: <a href="http://ow.ly/VKXWP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKXWP</a>)</li>
</ul>
Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>)</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Citing slow progress toward a spending bill resolution, Congress is expected to pass a continuing resolution running through next Wednesday to ward off government shutdown <a href="http://ow.ly/VI0Fl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI0Fl</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<br />
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li>Photo essay (Elliot Ross in <i>The Guardian</i>): "Family, faith, floods and fires: life for America's farmers – in pictures" <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa896wFTihk/Vmloh4PSTtI/AAAAAAAAKS8/gsdSOeIIBQo/s1600/1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qa896wFTihk/Vmloh4PSTtI/AAAAAAAAKS8/gsdSOeIIBQo/s200/1600.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666;">Photo: Elliot Ross </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliotstudio/">@</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliotstudio/">elliotstudio</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://ow.ly/VHSF5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VHSF5</a></li>
<li>Green Lands Blue Waters December 4 e-update re: Continuous Living Cover on Mississippi River Basin agricultural land <a href="http://ow.ly/VzuGq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VzuGq</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's December 8 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/VFiUP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFiUP</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's December "<i>BALMM Currents</i>" e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/VG0Kb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VG0Kb</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>America's Watershed Initiative pushes to improve Mississippi River watershed's economy and environment <a href="http://ow.ly/VI9PL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VI9PL</a></li>
<li><i>Stormwater Magazine</i> article on marking ten years of coal tar sealant research and progress <a href="http://ow.ly/VFqne" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFqne</a></li>
<li>Mississippi River Network seeks to fill Campaign Coordinator position to manage 1 Mississippi public communications campaign (job location: Chicago) <a href="http://ow.ly/VIP3s" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VIP3s</a></li>
<li>Job opening: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Long Term Resource Monitoring Field Station Team Leader/ Mississippi River Coordinator <a href="http://ow.ly/VLqCo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLqCo</a></li>
<li>GAO report: Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and injuries represent a growing percentage of all traffic fatalities and injuries <a href="http://ow.ly/VLtgo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLtgo</a></li>
<li>Work to remove approximately 10,000 tons of MCHM-contaminated soil starts at former <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DB6oxtsE02A/Vmbgbd4SDzI/AAAAAAAAKSA/CXo5NpxapKI/s1600/freedom-215x288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DB6oxtsE02A/Vmbgbd4SDzI/AAAAAAAAKSA/CXo5NpxapKI/s200/freedom-215x288.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #999999;">MetroNews staff photo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Freedom Industries site, West Virginia <a href="http://ow.ly/VCdEJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VCdEJ</a></li>
<li>Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) introduces bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund <a href="http://ow.ly/VzvFu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VzvFu</a></li>
<li>Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) op-ed: "Why I let the Land and Water Conservation Fund expire" <a href="http://ow.ly/VF25B" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF25B</a></li>
<li>Western governors disagree over whether the Land and Water Conservation Fund should be reformed before being reauthorized <a href="http://ow.ly/VAocA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VAocA</a></li>
<li>Several major electric industry trade groups call on Congress to amend USEPA's new coal ash disposal rule with rider <a href="http://ow.ly/Vzttf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vzttf</a></li>
<li>River Life blog: "What Would a 'River Studies' Curriculum Look Like?" <a href="http://ow.ly/VA2Dy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VA2Dy</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/RiverLifeUMN" target="_blank">@RiverLifeUMN</a>)</li>
<li>Potential grant could clean up Brownfield sites on both sides of the Ohio River (Steubenville, Ohio region) <a href="http://ow.ly/VF79L" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VF79L</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: don't look for any breakthrough legislative accomplishments in 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/VLoxc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VLoxc</a></li>
<li>New Kentucky Gov. <b>Matt Bevin</b> (R) appoints former coal executive, <b>Charles G. Snavely</b>, to lead state's Energy and Environment Cabinet <a href="http://ow.ly/VFf5O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VFf5O</a></li>
<li>U.S. Congressman <b>John Fleming</b> (R) launches bid for open Louisiana U.S. Senate seat <a href="http://ow.ly/VC529" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC529</a></li>
<li><b>Matt Bevin </b>(R) inaugurated 62nd Kentucky Governor, succeeding <b>Steve Beshear</b> (D), who was term-limited <a href="http://ow.ly/VC7WG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VC7WG</a></li>
<li>U.S. Rep. <b>Tim Huelskamp</b> (R-KS) expects return to House Agriculture Committee after his election to the Republican Steering Committee <a href="http://ow.ly/VJox1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VJox1</a></li>
<li>Senate confirms <b>Richard Howorth</b> to a second four-year term as a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors <a href="http://ow.ly/VKWDZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VKWDZ</a></li>
</ul>
<b>Your Moment of Zen -</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWOlEVn1XKo/VmHA3PSq-CI/AAAAAAAAKQ8/0RFKdFrMddY/s1600/1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWOlEVn1XKo/VmHA3PSq-CI/AAAAAAAAKQ8/0RFKdFrMddY/s640/1200.jpg" title=""Rutting season" - This Stag was charging at any stag that dare approach, even claiming Heron Pond as his own. Apparently they get themselves wet to increase their (already considerable) stench, and to make their fur appear bigger." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999;">Photograph: Will Snow/GuardianWitness</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-60819646385583419862015-12-07T07:30:00.000-05:002015-12-07T07:47:06.236-05:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EicNZoL-eM8/VmBE0StCobI/AAAAAAAAKPI/zIPrev5ErFQ/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EicNZoL-eM8/VmBE0StCobI/AAAAAAAAKPI/zIPrev5ErFQ/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Below are the U.S. House and Senate committees' activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin natural resources. The House is scheduled today (Monday) to consider a bill to ban plastic microbeads from cosmetic products: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1321" target="_blank">H.R. 1321</a> – the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. The bill would require the manufacturing of plastic microbeads to stop by July 1, 2017, and the delivery of new cosmetic products containing microbeads to end by July 1, 2018. Microbeads have been found in rivers and lakes in developed areas around the world, raising environmental degradation concerns among scientists and environmental organizations.<br />
<div>
<br />
In addition to committee activities, and floor action on rather non-controversial bills like the microbeads legislation, lawmakers in both the House and Senate will spend much of the week rushing to conclude negotiations on an omnibus 2016 fiscal year spending bill by Friday, December 11, when the current funding authority expires. Numerous disagreements over policies remain to be sorted out, and no agreement has been reached yet on an appropriate U.S. EPA funding amount. House Democrats received and quickly rejected a GOP offer last Wednesday, largely because of its "poison pill" policy riders. Democrats prepared and sent their Republican counterparts a counteroffer, which, among other things, would eliminate many of the environmental policy riders, and reauthorize and full fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. For more details on the bill's status, see our summary <a href="http://ow.ly/Vup5U" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
If reaching a deal before this Friday's deadline looks unlikely, lawmakers could pass another short term spending extension (called a Continuing Resolution); however, the House is scheduled to be in session only through December 18. A last-ditch safety net to avoid government closure may be to simply extend current funding levels for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year, as Congress did about a year ago for the 2015 fiscal year. Known as a "cromnibus," such a measure would be a combination of a long-term omnibus spending bill and a shorter-term continuing resolution (or CR), avoiding most if not all of the contentious policy riders.<br />
<br />
Where available, links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and appropriate pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as warranted. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Tuesday, December 8<br />
<ul>
<li>House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology <a href="https://science.house.gov/legislation/hearings/subcommittee-research-and-technology-hearing-future-biotechnology-solutions" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the "Future of Biotechnology: Solutions for Energy, Agriculture and Manufacturing;" 10:00 AM, room 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-and-business-meetings?ID=fa371758-4206-4454-b5c6-15fe43bc009e" target="_blank">legislative hearing</a> to examine <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2257" target="_blank">S. 2257 - the National Park Service Centennial Act</a>, a bill "to prepare the National Park Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of protecting our national parks' natural, historic, and cultural resources for present and future generations;" 10:00 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform Committee <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/examining-the-stream-protection-rule/" target="_blank">hearing</a> "examining the (Department of Interior's proposed) Stream Protection Rule;" 2:00 PM, room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform Committee <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/moving-ahead-for-progress-in-the-21st-century-map-21-program-consolidation-2/">hearing</a> entitled "Moving Ahead For Progress In The 21st Century (Map-21) Program Consolidation" (<a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/" target="_blank">MAP-21</a> is meant to create a streamlined and performance-based surface transportation program and builds on many of the highway, transit, bike, and pedestrian programs and policies established in 1991); 2:00 PM, room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness <a href="http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=CA2ABC55-B1E8-4B7A-AF38-34821F6468F7" target="_blank">hearing</a> entitled "Data or Dogma? Promoting Open Inquiry in the Debate over the Magnitude of Human Impact on Earth’s Climate;" 3:00 PM, room 253 Russell Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Rules Committee <a href="https://rules.house.gov/news/announcement/meeting-announcement-hr-2130" target="_blank">meeting</a> to set the rules for full House consideration of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2130" target="_blank">H.R. 2130</a>, the "Red River Private Property Protection Act" (designed to settle an ongoing dispute among landowners, and the state and federal governments over the ownership of land along the Red River, dividing Oklahoma and Texas); 3:00 PM, room H-313 U.S. Capitol Building.</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, December 9<br />
<ul>
<li>House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management <a href="http://agriculture.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3041" target="_blank">hearing</a> entitled "Commodity in Focus: Stress in Cotton Country;" 10:00 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee <a href="http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=6057C9FC-561B-45A9-A9B1-DC965458744D" target="_blank">meeting</a> to consider several pieces of legislation, including: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1886" target="_blank">S. 1886</a>, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1935" target="_blank">S. 1935</a>, the Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015, and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2276" target="_blank">S. 2276</a>, the SAFE PIPES Act; 10:00 AM, room 253 Russell Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Budget Committee hearing to "examine moving to a stronger economy with a regulatory budget;" 10:30 AM, room 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building (<i>no link to a hearing page available yet</i>).</li>
<li>House Agriculture: Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research <a href="http://agriculture.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3040" target="_blank">oversight hearing</a> on "USDA's use of Census of Agriculture authority to acquire farmer's personal financial information;" 2:00 PM, room 1302 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Thursday, December 10</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Environment and Subcommittee <a href="https://science.house.gov/legislation/hearings/subcommittee-environment-and-subcommittee-oversight-hearing-overview-nation-s-0" target="_blank">oversight hearing</a> on the "Nation’s Weather Satellite Programs and Policies;" 10:00 AM, room 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-77026181324892559752015-12-04T10:30:00.000-05:002015-12-04T11:57:25.696-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<div>
<i><b>This Week . . .</b></i></div>
Many Senators and House members left Washington soon after Thursday's votes, to begin an early weekend. Nonetheless, Congressional leaders remain guardedly optimistic that Republicans and Democrats can craft an omnibus 2016 fiscal year appropriations bill and stave off a December federal government shutdown. Negotiators hope to conclude negotiations on the bill by Friday, so that lawmakers have time to debate the legislation before the current funding authority expires on December 11.<br />
<br />
<div>
Although agreement has been reached on most agency spending levels, negotiators still disagree on funding levels for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year. And major spending bill disagreements remain over policy issues. House Democrats received and quickly rejected a GOP offer in the middle of the week, largely because of its "poison pill" policy riders, many relating to environmental issues. Democrats quickly provided a counteroffer, which, among other things, seeks an extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as the elimination of numerous GOP policy riders. Among the water-related riders still in play are those blocking funding to implement the Waters of the U.S. rule, the Interior Department's proposed stream protection rule, and a Presidential executive order directing federal agencies to account for sea level rise and stronger storms when building infrastructure and making grants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx8hWHENAbs/VmA60Cl-mQI/AAAAAAAAKO4/L-vZBPt7zAg/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx8hWHENAbs/VmA60Cl-mQI/AAAAAAAAKO4/L-vZBPt7zAg/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a></div>
On Tuesday, House and Senate conferees finalized a <a href="http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/fastact_xml.pdf" target="_blank">$305 billion transportation bill</a>. The bill moved quickly through both chambers on its way to the President, who is expected to sign the measure today (December 4), the latest highway spending deadline. Passage ends a succession of 36 short-term extensions over 20 years, and provides authority for surface transportation spending through 2020. <br />
<br />
Of Mississippi River stakeholder interest, the bill would protect funding for mass transit, and increase money for pedestrian and bicycle programs, while adding new safety requirements for crude-by-rail shipments. Also agreed to is language allowing municipalities to use federal infrastructure and tax-exempt municipal bonds to finance upgrades to drinking and wastewater infrastructure (striking a 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act provision barring cities from combining the two funding mechanisms). The bill also includes language from the proposed <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/280" target="_blank">Federal Permitting Improvement Act (S. 280)</a>, revising the process for federal approval of major infrastructure projects by establishing best practices, requiring coordination of federal agency review of projects, and shortening the period for challenges to final decisions for issuing project permits. Also approved was a Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) amendment that will require transportation planning agencies to study and provide for the mitigation of stormwater runoff impacts before construction. <br />
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The highway legislation reverses $3 billion in cuts to crop insurers that were included in the two-year budget agreement by finding offsets to those cuts within the dividend that the Federal Reserve pays to banks. Although the federal crop insurance program cost an average of $3.4 billion annually from fiscal years 2003 through 2007, it ballooned to an average of $8.4 billion annually in subsequent years through fiscal year 2013. So, crop insurance reform efforts<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Awwwwww"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
are very likely to continue. The bill is free from unrelated riders, except for one reauthorizing the U.S. Export-Import Bank.<br />
<br />
And lastly, of interest to all . . . the transportation bill establishes a pilot program to let travelers bring cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains.<br />
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<br />
To close out an unusually busy week on Capitol Hill, on Thursday the House passed the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/8" target="_blank">North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015</a>; a bill that contains contentious language streamlining the environmental permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act - creating a new body to speed up the federal permitting process for large infrastructure projects. The House bill faces strong Democratic opposition in the Senate and the White House threatened to veto the bill earlier this week. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee developed its own, bipartisan energy bill earlier this year, which may form the starting point for negotiating compromise legislation with the House in 2016.</div>
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<br /></div>
Finally, we turn to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the justices will hold their weekly conference <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIN6sloHpWs/VmGwrCljrKI/AAAAAAAAKQs/ck79RfXQBM4/s1600/B4103F13-E437-4D9C-A2B454917A94925B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIN6sloHpWs/VmGwrCljrKI/AAAAAAAAKQs/ck79RfXQBM4/s200/B4103F13-E437-4D9C-A2B454917A94925B.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
today, and discuss if they should consider a long-running wetland jurisdiction case, the <i>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes Co.</i> At issue is whether an Army Corps of Engineers' Clean Water Act jurisdiction decision can be challenged in court. In November, the Obama administration filed a <a href="http://ow.ly/UBM0d" target="_blank">petition</a> with the Supreme Court regarding the <i>Hawkes Co., Inc.</i> appeal, and a related, <i>Kent Recycling Services LLC v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</i> appeal. The petition requested that the Court consider one case rather than tying the two together, suggesting that the Court keep the Kent Recycling case on hold while it considers the Hawkes case (to avoid unnecessary complications). The Pacific Legal Foundation, which represents both Kent Recycling and Hawkes Co., has urged the court to consolidate the two cases.<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><b> . . . and Next Week</b></i><br />
More of the same. Spending bill deliberations will take center stage. If reaching a deal on an omnibus spending package before the December 11 deadline looks unlikely, lawmakers could pass another short term spending extension (called a Continuing Resolution). However, it must be remembered that the House is scheduled to be in session only through December 18. A last-ditch safety net to avoid government closure may be to simply extend current funding levels for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year, as Congress did about a year ago for the 2015 fiscal year. Known as a "cromnibus," such a measure would be a combination of a long-term omnibus spending bill and a shorter-term Continuing Resolution (or CR), avoiding most if not all of the contentious policy riders.<br />
<br />
There is a fairly robust list of water-related Congressional committee activities scheduled already for next week, and those can be found summarized on <a href="http://ow.ly/VqDYt" target="_blank">this web page</a> (<b>updated on-the-fly, as needed</b>).<br />
<br />
<div>
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week</i></b> <br />
<br />
Water Quality -<br />
<ul><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj4RtOKPhqs/VlyEajpaX1I/AAAAAAAAKOI/kFdjUg4Y4j0/s1600/oh-epatoxicalgae-1127-art-gvp14gfml-1epa-toxic-algae-jpeg-04058-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj4RtOKPhqs/VlyEajpaX1I/AAAAAAAAKOI/kFdjUg4Y4j0/s200/oh-epatoxicalgae-1127-art-gvp14gfml-1epa-toxic-algae-jpeg-04058-jpg.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>White House trying to protect waters of the United States rule during negotiations over fiscal year 2016 funding bill <a href="http://ow.ly/Vql2b" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vql2b</a></li>
<li>Bill banning microbeads makes debut in Ohio Legislature; story: <a href="http://ow.ly/Vh7Fl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vh7Fl</a> (link to bill information: <a href="http://ow.ly/Vh7Rm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vh7Rm</a>)</li>
<li>EPA developing guidelines to protect swimmers, boaters from threats posed by toxic algae in lakes and rivers <a href="http://ow.ly/Vhi3g" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vhi3g</a></li>
<li>EPA proposes public drinking water utilities' monitoring rule for Cyanotoxins <a href="http://ow.ly/VqmMc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VqmMc</a></li>
<li>Letter to the <i>Des Moines Register</i> Editor: Would we be discussing water quality without [Des Moines Water Works] lawsuit? <a href="http://ow.ly/Vhw6q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vhw6q</a></li>
<li>EPA requests scientific views on its Draft Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for cadmium <a href="http://ow.ly/VjUlS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjUlS</a></li>
<li>Minnesota's Inventory of Current Water Quality Standards Projects, 2014 to 2016, has been updated with project status as of November 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/Vk8Vn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vk8Vn</a> (i.e., "projects to update, revise, develop or otherwise improve Minnesota’s water quality standards")</li>
<li>State environmental officials oppose House energy bill's hydropower water quality certification provision <a href="http://ow.ly/Vn7II" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vn7II</a> (link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/Vn8XD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vn8XD</a>) <i>Related: </i>White House, threatens to veto energy legislation, citing several of its
regulatory provisions <a href="http://ow.ly/VnpsP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnpsP</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li>Gallatin (Tennessee) Water Treatment Plant Cumberland River water source and treated water have no detectable levels of hexavalent chromium <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu2i0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu2i0</a> (testing related to nearby coal burning power plant seen as a potential chromium source)</li>
<li>Colorado supreme court will not settle dispute between governor and attorney general over suing federal government on water (WOTUS) and clean power issues <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu6iB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu6iB</a> (link to court order: <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu6MJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu6MJ</a>)</li>
<li>Greater Ouachita Water Company's North Monroe Water System (Louisiana) reported to be clear of "brain-eating" amoeba <a href="http://ow.ly/VunG8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VunG8</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>Pew Charitable Trusts: Rising nationwide tide of states' buyouts fights flooding <a href="http://ow.ly/Vub6i" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vub6i</a></li>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers plans to draft Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTmyOAlMuqo/VmGn3kNwFoI/AAAAAAAAKQQ/ClZNxF_y62A/s1600/MRD-delta2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTmyOAlMuqo/VmGn3kNwFoI/AAAAAAAAKQQ/ClZNxF_y62A/s200/MRD-delta2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
and Environmental Impact Statement (White River Basin, Missouri and Arkansas) <a href="http://ow.ly/Vhmlu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vhmlu</a></li>
<li>Bill to help fund repairs for water infrastructure in rural communities heads to President for signature <a href="http://ow.ly/VjSFf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjSFf</a></li>
<li>EPA extends comment period for draft 2011 National Wetland Condition Assessment report until January 6 <a href="http://ow.ly/VjUGV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjUGV</a></li>
<li>Court signals interest in deferring to EPA's regulatory expertise on 2008 water transfers rule <a href="http://ow.ly/Vn7c8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vn7c8</a> (Catskill Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited Inc. v. EPA, 2d Cir., No. 14-01823) (potentially precedent-setting nationwide)</li>
<li>New "sediment counter" depicts amount of uncaptured sediment passing down the Mississippi River through Louisiana <a href="http://ow.ly/VqmeO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VqmeO</a></li>
<li>WEF Stormwater Report: The Real Cost of Green Infrastructure-new insights on significant factors that influence green stormwater management costs <a href="http://ow.ly/VtVKx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtVKx</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFn1LG54qfg/Vl2xK_H2jFI/AAAAAAAAKOY/_T2BAlyCLKs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFn1LG54qfg/Vl2xK_H2jFI/AAAAAAAAKOY/_T2BAlyCLKs/s200/Untitled.png" title="Population change map; from: Rural America At A Glance, 2015" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Repeal of $3 billion crop insurance cut clears Congress as part of long term highway bill <a href="http://ow.ly/VtFCP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtFCP</a></li>
<li><i>Nature</i>: In a world facing increasing stress from a growing population and climate change, soils are becoming ever more important <a href="http://ow.ly/Vhfrg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vhfrg</a></li>
<li>Annual report by USDA's Economic Research Service released: Rural America At A Glance, 2015 Edition <a href="http://ow.ly/Vk9Sl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vk9Sl</a></li>
<li>General enrollment period for USDA's Conservation Reserve Program begins December 1, ends February 26 <a href="http://ow.ly/Vl8FX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vl8FX</a></li>
<li>Central Nebraska farmer taps into a growing national interest in cover crops <a href="http://ow.ly/VnkHw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnkHw</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RiYOKaeim0/VmBVeHAdHQI/AAAAAAAAKPY/ImgYFTMnzVI/s1600/mdohomeweb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RiYOKaeim0/VmBVeHAdHQI/AAAAAAAAKPY/ImgYFTMnzVI/s200/mdohomeweb.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA weekly drought update: Midwest saw minor drought improvements along Illinois-Indiana border; Plains saw improvements in abnormally dry areas <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>NOAA Climate Prediction Center monthly drought outlook for December: Drought likely to develop across central and eastern Montana, persist in North Dakota, and dissipate in central and southern Plains, Lower Ohio Valley <a href="http://ow.ly/SQXLJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/SQXLJ</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee members criticize work of National <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QT2zyCgDq3o/VmGaxdozLeI/AAAAAAAAKP0/OUND1aMWxnw/s1600/21829-0309379857-450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QT2zyCgDq3o/VmGaxdozLeI/AAAAAAAAKP0/OUND1aMWxnw/s200/21829-0309379857-450.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
Invasive Species Council <a href="http://ow.ly/VnjyV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnjyV</a> (link to hearing archive: <a href="http://ow.ly/VnjGG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnjGG</a>)</li>
<li>Government Accountability Office report faults Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force for not setting up system to track activities, measure progress on goals to minimize aquatic invasive species impacts <a href="http://ow.ly/VjVGr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjVGr</a></li>
<li>Montana Governor to decide soon whether Yellowstone National Park bison will be allowed to roam outside certain tribal lands <a href="http://reut.rs/1XxQqEH" target="_blank">http://reut.rs/1XxQqEH</a></li>
<li>Western governors want to take lead on establishing measures to mitigate human damage to greater sage grouse habitat <a href="http://ow.ly/VopYl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VopYl</a></li>
<li>National Academies of Sciences Report: Interior Department Landscape Conservation Cooperatives program is working as designed <a href="http://ow.ly/VtWzk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtWzk</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li>Op-ed by Mississippi River mayors (<i>The Hill</i>): "In Paris, the stakes could not be higher" <a href="http://ow.ly/VuIjb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VuIjb</a> (<i>related</i>: Mississippi River Cities and Towns Mayors' Initiative's "Global River Talks: Sustaining the World’s Food-Producing Rivers;" COP21: Paris, France; streaming live over the Internet, December 8; 11:45 AM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/UZrj2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UZrj2</a>)</li>
<li>Mayors on a mission to Paris to save Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/VjPvN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjPvN</a> (<i>Des Moines Register </i>editorial by Roy D. Buol, mayor of <b>Dubuque</b>)</li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Minnesota </b>finance officials project that the state will have a nearly $1.9 billion surplus next <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC5vsZvmgbk/VmGfLbZ51MI/AAAAAAAAKQA/zmffZxG6HiI/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC5vsZvmgbk/VmGfLbZ51MI/AAAAAAAAKQA/zmffZxG6HiI/s320/Untitled.png" width="302" /></a></div>
year, with $71 million slated to environmental funds <a href="http://ow.ly/VtJbw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtJbw</a></li>
<li>With extra cash sitting in the state treasury, <b>Minnesota </b>legislative leaders say they want to cut taxes in 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/VnRix" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnRix</a></li>
<li><b>Wisconsin </b>DNR seeks public input on a new grant program using state Wetland Conservation Trust Program funds <a href="http://ow.ly/VtJL9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtJL9</a> (deadline Dec. 28)</li>
<li><b>Wisconsin </b>Organic Advisory Council has four openings for individuals interested in shaping future of organic farming and food <a href="http://ow.ly/VtZlS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtZlS</a></li>
<li><b>Illinois </b>state budget standoff between Governor and Legislature could continue through the November 2016 elections <a href="http://ow.ly/Vn6AU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vn6AU</a></li>
<li>Few details emerging as <b>Pennsylvania </b>budget impasse lingers <a href="http://ow.ly/VooK8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VooK8</a></li>
<li><b>North Dakota</b> continues to see a drop in revenue from oil and gas produced on federal lands <a href="http://ow.ly/VnrzO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnrzO</a></li>
<li>How State Economies Are Performing: a summary of key economic indicators by state (pull-down menu at bottom of article) <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu0DF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu0DF</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Recycled oyster shells from New Orleans area restaurants could help protect the coast <a href="http://ow.ly/VjRCA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjRCA</a></li>
<li>Anadarko Petroleum Corp. ordered to pay $159.5 Million for its stake in 2010 Gulf spill <a href="http://ow.ly/Vn8lH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vn8lH</a></li>
<li>Louisiana State University and RAND Corp study: Continued Louisiana coastal land loss could cost state and national economies tens of billions dollars a year <a href="http://ow.ly/VtDug" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtDug</a></li>
</ul>
Energy Resource Development -<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Renewable Fuel Standard</i></div>
<ul>
<li>EPA finalizes 2014, 2015, and 2016 volume requirements and percentage standards that apply under the RFS program; EPA rule web page: <a href="http://ow.ly/VhRt8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VhRt8</a></li>
<li>EPA sets final multiyear Renewable Fuel Standard figures <a href="http://ow.ly/VjOUu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjOUu</a> (<i>AgriPulse</i> story)</li>
<li>Iowa agriculture interests say that the EPA's new biofuel-blend levels are a "gut punch for consumers and farmers" <a href="http://ow.ly/Vk5Aw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vk5Aw</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Other Energy Resource Development News</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>ABC News: Even coal is barely surviving in coal country and coal is about the only thing that Central Appalachia has <a href="http://ow.ly/VjP4p" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjP4p</a></li>
<li>On 2-1 vote, South Dakota regulators approve Bakken oil pipeline through state; add conditions to protect landowners <a href="http://ow.ly/Vk67l" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vk67l</a></li>
<li>Hand recount confirms that an anti-fracking ballot initiative in Youngstown, Ohio last month failed to gain voter approval <a href="http://ow.ly/VnCt6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnCt6</a></li>
<li>State-funded study recommends safety improvements for pipeline network connecting North Dakota's Bakken Shale oil field <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu947" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu947</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups appeal judge's decision to suspend new rules on oil and gas drilling on federal lands pending legal challenge <a href="http://ow.ly/VuocY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VuocY</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget (<i>You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a></i>) -<br />
<ul>
<li>Citing dozens of "poison-pill" riders, House Democrats reject Republican initial year-end government funding bill <a href="http://ow.ly/Vo7C9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vo7C9</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard annual state budget address, <b>December 8</b>, 1 PM CT <a href="http://ow.ly/VtPGJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtPGJ</a></li>
<li>RESTORE Council meeting, <b>December 9</b>, 10 AM CT, Mississippi Coast Coliseum Convention Center, Biloxi (9 AM open house) open to public <a href="http://ow.ly/VtE0Z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtE0Z</a></li>
<li>Save the date: House Speaker Ryan announces <b>January 12</b>, 2016 as date President Obama is invited to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress <a href="http://ow.ly/Vk4WV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vk4WV</a></li>
<li>U.S. Conference of Mayors' winter meeting, Washington, D.C., <b>January 20-22</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/VnQLI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnQLI</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No 324, November 30 <a href="http://ow.ly/VhtDe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VhtDe</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy December 2 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/VqvaS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VqvaS</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency December 2015 <i>Industrial Stormwater News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/Vu9wk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vu9wk</a></li>
<li>Montana Watershed Coordination Council's December 3 <i>Watershed News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/Vueps" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vueps</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Stockholm University research covering 100 large hydrological basins worldwide finds <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9lg7h0QY6s/VmGY88KbkVI/AAAAAAAAKPo/atCaCUceRAo/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9lg7h0QY6s/VmGY88KbkVI/AAAAAAAAKPo/atCaCUceRAo/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div>
humans are using up far more of Earth’s water than previously thought <a href="http://ow.ly/VtUfE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtUfE</a> (study abstract <a href="http://ow.ly/VtUdf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VtUdf</a>)</li>
<li>Federal judge throws out lawsuit seeking to require U.S. EPA to regulate concentrated animal feeding operations ammonia emissions <a href="http://ow.ly/Vquw4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vquw4</a></li>
<li>House and Senate negotiators strike agreement on a five-year, $305 billion highway bill <a href="http://bit.ly/1NnNDTN" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1NnNDTN</a></li>
<li>The Water Institute of the Gulf is currently hiring for: Communications Associate, Data Manager, Coastal Ecology Research Technician, Research Positions, Graduate Research Assistant in Coastal Ecology <a href="http://ow.ly/VjRq5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VjRq5</a></li>
<li>From @RiverLifeUMN: many people involved in water conversations often take for granted issues peripheral to their main area concentration <a href="http://ow.ly/VnDy5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VnDy5</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
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Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-45852491360215362192015-11-30T10:31:00.001-05:002015-11-30T12:32:12.270-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News - Special Post-Holiday Monday Edition<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<b><i>This Week in Washington</i></b><br />
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release three years’ worth of biofuel blending
<br />
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requirements, known as the Renewable Fuels Standard (or RFS) today (Monday), the court-mandated RFS release deadline. The RFS will establish renewable volume obligations for last year, this year, and the next. The 2016 obligations will attract the most interest, since 2015 is nearly over, and the 2014 numbers will be based on actual data. No matter how high or low the EPA sets the 2016 renewable fuel volume obligation, one or more lawsuits will likely follow. Should the obligations be too high, oil industry stakeholders such as the American Petroleum Institute will complain. And if the volume is too low, renewable fuel interests (including the Renewable Fuels
Association, backed by some farm groups) will be prone to file suit. Corn is a major feedstock used in ethanol production, and from a Mississippi River Basin perspective, the RFS is an important driver impacting how much land is placed by farmers into corn production - a collective land use decision that has significant ramifications for the environmental and economic health of the River region.<br />
<br />
House members and Senators return to Capitol Hill this week following their Thanksgiving recess. A draft fiscal year 2016 omnibus discretionary spending bill will probably be released during the week. Democrats are said to be unhappy with the low levels of funding being provided for EPA and Interior Department programs, and will push for increases during floor debates in both chambers. The measure will be accompanied by an unknown number of riders that would restrict funding for the implementation of select environmental and energy programs (possibly including the Interior Department's proposed Stream Protection Rule and the administration's final Clean Water (or "Waters of the United States) Rule). Strategists believe that the administration may swallow some otherwise unpalatable environmental riders in exchange for Republicans easing up on proposed refugee restrictions.<br />
<br />
The middle of the week should see the beginning of House floor debate on a comprehensive Energy and Commerce Committee energy bill. Opposed by most Democrats, the bill includes some of the Department of Energy's quadrennial review recommendations, and focuses on energy infrastructure improvements. Of interest to Mississippi River Basin stakeholders will be amendments likely to be considered during the floor debate, including those designed to expedite permit (including environmental impact) reviews of certain pipeline projects and reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as Democratic amendments addressing climate change). While some may be submitted for consideration, don't expect to see any amendments that mention the RFS (see above) to make the House floor, since the issue is divisive even within the Republican caucus. You can check out the current list of filed amendments <a href="https://rules.house.gov/bill/114/hr-8">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Finally, this week the House and Senate will either have to reconcile two competing federal surface transportation authorization bills ahead of Friday's (December 4) deadline, or pass yet another in a long line of authority extensions. The measure authorizes many highway and rail programs, including those relating to trails and scenic byways, of interest to river advocates. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA-9) promised that the most recent short-term extension would be the “last.” And while Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) has said that the House and Senate bills could be reconciled “in a matter of hours,” one hour in congressional time often translates to weeks or months beyond the hallowed halls of Congress.<br />
<br />
You can check out the latest listing of Mississippi River Basin- and Coastal Louisiana-related Congressional committee activity for the week at <a href="http://ow.ly/V4ZST" target="_blank">this web site</a>. The listing <b>will be updated throughout the week as needed</b>.<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><i>This Week in Paris</i></b></span><br />
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While most congressional lawmakers will be in Washington this week, the President and many of his top environmental and energy agency officials will not; having traveled <i>en masse</i> to Paris, France for negotiations (scheduled to take place first at a technical level, then at the ministerial level) to potentially establish climate action thresholds that participating countries agree to meet. Agency heads who will accompany the President include Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell, Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack and the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Kathryn Sullivan.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week</i></b></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8fLMxKu0H4/Vk9UtLdKCFI/AAAAAAAAKL4/vgQOeWeFFfQ/s1600/hsmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8fLMxKu0H4/Vk9UtLdKCFI/AAAAAAAAKL4/vgQOeWeFFfQ/s200/hsmp.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>Iowa state legislature under pressure on improving Iowa's water quality and how to pay for it <a href="http://ow.ly/VgA43" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgA43</a></li>
<li>Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio-7) presses USEPA about its authority to block Army Corps of Engineers' Clean Water Act permits <a href="http://ow.ly/V3PqT" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3PqT</a> (news article: <a href="http://ow.ly/V3PPQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3PPQ</a>)</li>
<li>Justice Department maintains “EPA gave a reasonable explanation, grounded in the statute, for its decision not to make a necessity determination” of states' need for nitrogen and phosphorus water quality standards (Gulf Restoration Network case) <a href="http://ow.ly/V3KYS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3KYS</a></li>
<li>Missouri Coalition for the Environment sues Kansas City, Mo., area amusement park over Clean Water Act violations (Missouri Coalition for the Environment v. Worlds of Fun LLC, W.D. Mo., No. 4:15-cv-00901, filed 11/16/15) <a href="http://ow.ly/UXVxj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXVxj</a> (MCE press release: <a href="http://ow.ly/UXW5T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXW5T</a>)</li>
<li>Can the Greater Des Moines Partnership task force on water quality clean up Iowa's water? <a href="http://ow.ly/UY7vw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UY7vw</a></li>
<li>Earthjustice files petition for review in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit over Environmental Protection Agency's revised wastewater effluent limits for power plants <a href="http://ow.ly/V10zI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V10zI</a> (The <a href="http://yosemite.epa.gov/opei/rulegate.nsf/byRIN/2040-AF14" target="_blank">rule</a> requires power plants to use controls to manage discharges of arsenic, selenium, nitrates, mercury, zinc and other pollutants) - <i>related links below</i></li>
<li>Sierra Club files challenge to EPA's recently published wastewater effluent limits for power plants in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit <a href="http://ow.ly/V3LVQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3LVQ</a></li>
<li>Power utilities sue EPA over recently promulgated effluent limits to regulate discharges of metals and toxics <a href="http://ow.ly/VgNGh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgNGh</a></li>
<li>Pennsylvania DEP fines Chesapeake Appalachia $1.4 million for southwestern Pennsylvania stream impacts caused by well pad landslide <a href="http://ow.ly/V12mp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V12mp</a></li>
<li>National Mining Association petition urges Congress to defund Interior Department's proposed stream protection rule <a href="http://ow.ly/V15xO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V15xO</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups sue West Virginia landowner over alleged water pollution from closed mountaintop mining site <a href="http://ow.ly/VgCLM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgCLM</a></li>
<li>Three environmental advocacy groups sue Coal-Mac Inc., over alleged Clean Water Act violations at West Virginia mines <a href="http://ow.ly/VgOcX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgOcX</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Waters of the United States Rule</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>90 House members sign letter urging House leaders to include Waters of the U.S. rule-blocking riders to omnibus spending bill <a href="http://ow.ly/V20V8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V20V8</a></li>
<li>Over 400 environmental organizations ask Congress to avoid appropriations bill riders undermine Clean Water Rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UXXNk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXXNk</a> (also see: Environmental groups' November 19 letter to Congress opposes any riders undermining Waters of the United States rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UT54H" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UT54H</a>)</li>
<li>Colorado AG pushes back on Governor's efforts to limit her power to challenge federal policy (including WOTUS rule) on behalf of state <a href="http://ow.ly/UY2eq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UY2eq</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>Two Western attorneys general are suing federal government over high-profile environmental issues against their governors’ wishes <a href="http://ow.ly/UY8uD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UY8uD</a></li>
<li>In bid for more transparency, administration publishes national database listing approved jurisdictional determinations made under Clean Water Act since September <a href="http://ow.ly/VgtIg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgtIg</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources adds lake levels map to online interactive database maps <a href="http://ow.ly/V3OZJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3OZJ</a></li>
<li>Water policy and law professor: US farmers who fear that cities and industries covet their irrigation water are not irrational <a href="http://ow.ly/V3ZJV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3ZJV</a></li>
<li>Resources for the Future: on average, roughly half of people in 100-year floodplains purchase flood insurance <a href="http://ow.ly/V416q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V416q</a></li>
<li>Concern grows over dwindling water supplies in small Kansas county home to nation's second-largest hog feeding operation <a href="http://ow.ly/VgLu7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgLu7</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>Updated USDA analysis shows U.S. farm income falling 38 percent between 2014 and 2015 - the biggest single-year drop since the 1980s <a href="http://ow.ly/V4mEr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V4mEr</a></li>
<li>NRDC Report: Climate-ready soil can cut crop losses, save trillions of gallons of water, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LncDS45vfc/VlMAh-Cch8I/AAAAAAAAKMQ/3c3zsv9MS2Q/s1600/pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LncDS45vfc/VlMAh-Cch8I/AAAAAAAAKMQ/3c3zsv9MS2Q/s320/pigs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
remove carbon from the air <a href="http://ow.ly/UT7nC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UT7nC</a></li>
<li>Some Nebraska farmers push for property tax discount as revenues fall <a href="http://ow.ly/UTb8K" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTb8K</a></li>
<li><i>National Geographic</i> - "Apocalypse pig: The last antibiotic begins to fail" <a href="http://ow.ly/UXNEf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXNEf</a></li>
<li>While all eyes are on human numbers, it’s the rise in farm animals that is laying waste to the planet <a href="http://ow.ly/UXR9d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXR9d</a></li>
<li>Illinois appeals court rules insurer has duty to defend a nuisance suit brought by property owners against neighboring hog factory <a href="http://ow.ly/V11Qi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V11Qi</a></li>
<li><i>Des Moines Register</i>: What to prescribe for Iowa's eroding topsoil? <a href="http://ow.ly/VgjAk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgjAk</a></li>
<li>General Mills working with 25 farmers to help them to adapt more sustainable practices <a href="http://ow.ly/VgEAC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgEAC</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>World Meteorological Organisation: Global average temperatures in 2015 are likely to be the warmest on record <a href="http://ow.ly/V3IRa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3IRa</a></li>
<li>Rep. Lamar Smith's (R-Tex.) confrontation with NOAA researchers over groundbreaking climate change study is provoking a national backlash from scientists <a href="http://ow.ly/V46hr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V46hr</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWgTiKJtYS8/VlRfhnQbUeI/AAAAAAAAKMg/RS4gvHQ3Yb0/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWgTiKJtYS8/VlRfhnQbUeI/AAAAAAAAKMg/RS4gvHQ3Yb0/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Tom Baker for MPR News</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Yellowstone bison marked for death could be spared by relocation plan <a href="http://ow.ly/UTt72" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTt72</a></li>
<li>University of Arkansas - Monticello researcher tracks mallards, migration and mercury contamination <a href="http://ow.ly/UY9ov" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UY9ov</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Department of Natural Resources seeks applications for statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee <a href="http://ow.ly/V137s" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V137s</a></li>
<li>Photo-essay: Migrating tundra swans pause for food, rest along Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/V13QC">http://ow.ly/V13QC</a></li>
<li>Construction of Mississippi Basin-Great Lakes Basin Asian carp barrier at Eagle Marsh, Indiana nears completion <a href="http://ow.ly/VgOXo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgOXo</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li>Authorities critical of delays and lack of clarity in <b>Pittsburgh </b>metro area multibillion-dollar sewage, stormwater, and CSO overhaul <a href="http://ow.ly/UXQsP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXQsP</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/UXQFI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXQFI</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlmFKJVtiP4/Vk9U7z9M79I/AAAAAAAAKMA/bpj-XWMhfmE/s1600/coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlmFKJVtiP4/Vk9U7z9M79I/AAAAAAAAKMA/bpj-XWMhfmE/s200/coast.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Louisiana</b>: Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a $487 million deficit "kicks some things down the road again," leaving trouble for next Governor <a href="http://ow.ly/UXRKF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXRKF</a></li>
<li>Jindal's proposed <b>Louisiana </b>state budget cuts include $6.4 million from coastal agency <a href="http://ow.ly/UXSvC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXSvC</a> (environmental community reaction: <a href="http://ow.ly/UXSy8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXSy8</a>)</li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee plans to hold a hearing on Sewage Facilities Act <a href="http://ow.ly/Vgz4Z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vgz4Z</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>Governor acknowledges that a plan to resolve the five-month state budget impasse is in "deep peril" <a href="http://ow.ly/V1jD9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1jD9</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Loyola University panel: Upcoming climate change talks in Paris could hold key to future of Louisiana's rapidly eroding coastline <a href="http://ow.ly/V0ZFg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V0ZFg</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>5-year review of Farm Bill-mandated Forest Action Plans and effective water quality protections (prepared by Dovetail Partners) <a href="http://ow.ly/V0WCV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V0WCV</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>New report shows U.S. ethanol production rates hit record levels in mid-November <a href="http://ow.ly/Vgymd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Vgymd</a></li>
<li>EPA finding of no widespread, systemic drinking water impacts from fracking is being challenged by agency's own scientists <a href="http://ow.ly/UT8l0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UT8l0</a></li>
<li>Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. backs EPA's finding of no 'widespread, systemic' water problems due to hydraulic fracturing <a href="http://ow.ly/V3SNR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3SNR</a></li>
<li>North Dakota lawmakers setting aside money to reclaim legacy drilling sites where companies are no longer responsible for cleanup <a href="http://ow.ly/UYvwx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UYvwx</a></li>
<li>Youngstown, Ohio officials will conduct a hand recount of an anti-fracking ballot initiative that failed this month <a href="http://ow.ly/UYwe3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UYwe3</a></li>
<li>About 25% of Iowa property tracts needed for proposed Bakken oil pipeline could face condemnation by the state <a href="http://ow.ly/V1c6C" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1c6C</a></li>
<li>South Dakota regulators expected to decide today whether to allow construction of the Dakota Access pipeline through state <a href="http://ow.ly/VgxRG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VgxRG</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Renewable Fuel Standard</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA RFS decision could come down this week (ahead of November 30 court-ordered deadline); no hint of what position will be (AgriPulse news audio) <a href="http://ow.ly/UXMuL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXMuL</a></li>
<li>EPA Ethanol (RFS) ruling would have big Indiana impact <a href="http://ow.ly/UXO4y" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXO4y</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget<i> (You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>)</i> -<br />
<ul>
<li>Lobbyist rider strategy: Obama administration might be willing to accept environmental riders in return for Republicans yielding on refugees <a href="http://ow.ly/V4hUi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V4hUi</a></li>
<li>Environmental policy riders, funding for Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, other roadblocks hinder getting a budget deal done by Dec. 11 deadline <a href="http://ow.ly/V3MoX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3MoX</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Agenda for <b>December 4</b>, Minnesota Legislative Water Commission meeting includes Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program update <a href="http://ow.ly/UTQoW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTQoW</a></li>
<li>Mississippi River Cities and Towns Mayors' Initiative's "Global River Talks: Sustaining the World’s Food-Producing Rivers;" COP21: Paris, France; <b>December 8</b>; 11:45 AM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/UZrj2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UZrj2</a></li>
<li>USEPA Farm, Ranch, and Rural Community Federal Advisory Committee; Public Teleconference; <b>December 11</b>, 2-3:30 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/V3JIv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3JIv</a></li>
<li>2016 Infrastructure Week to highlight lack of investment in U.S. infrastructure (including water and wastewater), <b>May 16-23, 2016</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/UTJfG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTJfG</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Zlr0tix4e0/VlR58o4q1SI/AAAAAAAAKNA/UPpuL11-QAM/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Zlr0tix4e0/VlR58o4q1SI/AAAAAAAAKNA/UPpuL11-QAM/s200/Untitled.png" width="154" /></a>e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No 321, November 20 <a href="http://ow.ly/UTpVP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTpVP</a></li>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No 322, November 23 <a href="http://ow.ly/V16Gm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V16Gm</a></li>
<li>National Water Quality Monitoring Council's <i>National Water Monitoring News</i> e-newsletter (Fall 2015; 11th edition) <a href="http://ow.ly/V1lid" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1lid</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy, November 24 TUWaterWays e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/V1x3B" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1x3B</a></li>
<li><i>Freshwater Biology</i> Special Issue: Extreme Events in Running Waters <a href="http://ow.ly/V1O1N" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1O1N</a></li>
<li>Rock River (Wisconsin) monthly recovery e-newsletter for December <a href="http://ow.ly/VguEq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/VguEq</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seeks to fill multiple Nonpoint Source Coordinator positions <a href="http://ow.ly/V1imJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1imJ</a></li>
<li>Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) unveils new Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization bill, requiring significantly more money for states <a href="http://ow.ly/UTMBc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTMBc</a> (news story: <a href="http://ow.ly/UTMWw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UTMWw</a>)</li>
<li>Compared with other disciplines, conservation has been rather slow to incorporate digital technology into its methodological toolkit <a href="http://ow.ly/V0XwI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V0XwI</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>New Pew survey shows sweeping distrust of federal government by virtually every measure <a href="http://ow.ly/UXZuR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXZuR</a></li>
<li>Land Trust Alliance names <b>Andrew Bowman</b> as new president <a href="http://ow.ly/V3Q80" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V3Q80</a></li>
<li>State Rep.<b> John Bel Edwards</b> (D) elected Louisiana governor in runoff election against U.S. Sen. <b>David Vitter</b> (R) <a href="http://ow.ly/UXN4C" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXN4C</a></li>
<li><b>Vitter </b>announces Senate retirement after losing Louisiana gubernatorial race <a href="http://ow.ly/UXOm2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UXOm2</a></li>
<li>Rep. <b>Charles Boustany</b> (R-La.) plans a 2016 run for <b>David Vitter</b>’s U.S. Senate seat <a href="http://ow.ly/V1944" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/V1944</a></li>
</ul>
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<b><i>Your Moment of Zen </i></b>-<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVhjbH2yCZA/Vk85Ax5nZjI/AAAAAAAAKLo/-TxT7MW4gWI/s1600/534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVhjbH2yCZA/Vk85Ax5nZjI/AAAAAAAAKLo/-TxT7MW4gWI/s640/534.jpg" title="Photograph: Michelle Bantoft/Martin Itter/GuardianWitness" width="474" /></a></div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-64045458422275412242015-11-30T08:19:00.000-05:002015-11-30T08:32:01.165-05:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin and Coastal Louisiana water resources. Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and appropriate pieces of legislation. <br />
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In addition to Committee activity, today (Monday), the House is scheduled to consider <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/611" target="_blank">S.611</a> - the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act - a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in June that would reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) program providing technical assistance to small public water systems).<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
The middle of the week should see the beginning of House floor debate on a comprehensive Energy and Commerce Committee energy bill. Opposed by most Democrats, the bill includes some of the Department of Energy's quadrennial review recommendations, and focuses on energy infrastructure improvements. Of interest to Mississippi River Basin stakeholders will be amendments likely to be considered during the floor debate, including those designed to expedite permit (including environmental impact) reviews of certain pipeline projects and reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as Democratic amendments addressing climate change. You can check out the current list of filed amendments <a href="https://rules.house.gov/bill/114/hr-8">here</a>.<br />
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A draft fiscal year 2016 omnibus discretionary spending bill will probably be released during the week. Democrats are said to be unhappy with the low levels of funding being provided for EPA and Interior Department programs, and will push for increases during floor debates in both chambers. The measure will be accompanied by an unknown number of riders that would restrict funding for the implementation of select environmental and energy programs (possibly including the Interior Department's proposed Stream Protection Rule and the administration's final Clean Water (or "Waters of the United States) Rule). Strategists believe that the administration may swallow some otherwise unpalatable environmental riders in exchange for Republicans easing up on proposed refugee restrictions.<br />
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Finally, this week the House and Senate will either have to reconcile two differing long-term federal surface transportation authorization bills ahead of a Friday (December 4) deadline, or pass yet another in a long line of authority extensions. The measure would authorize many highway and rail programs, including those relating to trails and scenic byways, of interest to river advocates. <br />
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Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and those listed below should be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as warranted.</b><br />
<br />
Monday, November 30<br />
<ul>
<li>House Rules Committee <a href="https://rules.house.gov/news/announcement/meeting-announcement-hr-8-general-debate-sj-res-23-and-sj-res-24" target="_blank">meeting</a> to set the rules for the full House consideration of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/8" target="_blank">H.R. 8</a>, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015; 5:00 PM. room H-313 Capitol Building (possibly continuing into Tuesday, December 1, at 3:00 PM).</li>
</ul>
Tuesday, December 1<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/12/hearing-to" target="_blank">hearing</a> to receive testimony on the Department of Interior's <a href="http://www.bsee.gov/BSEE-Newsroom/Press-Releases/2015/Interior-Department-Releases-Proposed-Well-Control---Regulations-to-Ensure-Safe-and-Responsible-Offshore-Oil-and-Gas-Development/" target="_blank">proposed Well Control Rule</a> and "other regulations related to offshore oil and gas production;" 10:00 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Interior <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/examining-invasive-species-policy-2/" target="_blank">hearing</a> "examining invasive species policy" (the impacts of non-native species and the effectiveness of the National Invasive Species Council); 2:00 PM, room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, December 2<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry <a href="http://www.ag.senate.gov/hearings/agricultures-role-in-combating-global-hunger-" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the agriculture industry’s role in combating global hunger; 10:00 AM, room 328 Russell Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399643" target="_blank">legislative hearing</a> to review <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3556" target="_blank">H.R. 3556</a>, the "National Park Service Centennial Act," a draft bill that would raise funding for the National Park Service ahead of its 2016 centennial; 10:00 AM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-13944199801042933652015-11-20T09:45:00.000-05:002015-11-23T09:34:49.748-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div>
<b><i>This Week and Next in Congress</i></b></div>
U.S. Senate and House members are now on Thanksgiving recess, not to return until November 30. <br />
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However, lawmakers took advantage of their one week in Washington between breaks for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, incrementally moving some water-related legislation, and continuing behind-the-scene's negotiations on a federal spending bill that needs to be passed by December 11.<br />
<br />
First to the bills of cocnern to those interested in water resources: On Thursday morning, members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a popular package of "sportsmen's" measures that was first amended to permanently reauthorize the equally-popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Only Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) voted against the package, saying he preferred the LWCF reauthorization and reform approach included in House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop's (R-Utah) draft bill. That House bill was the focus of a Wednesday Natural Resources Committee hearing. Support for and against the Bishop bill was largely split along party lines at the hearing, with the Chairman reiterating several times that a straight-forward reauthorization was not "going to cut it." Also on Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved the Microbead-Free Waters Act, which would begin the phase-out of plastic microbeads beginning in 2017. Microbeads are present in personal care products and increasingly present in the nation’s lakes and streams. The bill would move next to the full House for consideration.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, following their Thanksgiving break, lawmakers will have only eight days in session before a December 11 deadline to pass an omnibus 2016 fiscal year spending package that is palatable to the White House. If the bill includes environmental policy riders that the Obama administration finds unacceptable, a Presidential veto and government shutdown may be in the offing. Even before getting a bill to the floor, appropriators must divide up a $30 billion spending increase that all sides agreed to in principle in the Bipartisan Budget Act, and figure out how to find the money for the restoration of the Bipartisan Budget Act's $3 billion cut to crop insurance - restoration promised during Budget Act deal-making.<br />
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<br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
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Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>Food and Water Watch: Industrial facilities that use unverified agricultural nutrient trading credits to offset pollutant discharges exceeding permit limits violate the Clean Water Act <a href="http://ow.ly/UPVsN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPVsN</a></li>
<li>EPA algal toxin strategy: agency to develop list of algal types that could adversely affect health when ingested in drinking water; determine if health advisories should be issued <a href="http://ow.ly/UPWl9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPWl9</a></li>
<li>Chesapeake Bay cleanup: Is Iowa next? <a href="http://ow.ly/UNn3l" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNn3l</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism: Nitrate in water widespread, Wisconsin's <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
current rules no match <a href="http://ow.ly/UKDb4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKDb4</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups sue Arch Coal Inc. subsidiary over alleged widespread southern West Virginia water pollution <a href="http://ow.ly/UNunh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNunh</a> (link to complaint <a href="http://ow.ly/UPVZ9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPVZ9</a>)</li>
<li>Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection finalizes its statewide Nonpoint Source Management Plan (target of 50 nutrient management BMPs/year using state funds) <a href="http://ow.ly/UC24w" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UC24w</a></li>
<li>Tractor-trailer crash spills hazardous materials into Ohio's Raccoon Creek, killing almost 6,400 fish <a href="http://ow.ly/UOIlN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOIlN</a></li>
<li>Tennessee State University students team up with federal researchers on pollution of the region's water supply <a href="http://ow.ly/UHBqG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHBqG</a></li>
<li>Ex-EPA official Ken Kopocis sizes up Iowa water quality efforts <a href="http://ow.ly/UNmO1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNmO1</a></li>
<li>Train speed rules didn't apply to ethanol train that derailed Nov. 8, spilling 20,000 gallons into Mississippi River <a href="http://strib.mn/1OeoEoU" target="_blank">http://strib.mn/1OeoEoU</a></li>
<li>House Energy and Commerce Committee approves on a voice vote the Microbead-Free Waters Act to begin phase out of plastic microbeads; news story: <a href="http://ow.ly/UOpQY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOpQY</a>; Committee release <a href="http://ow.ly/UOoeP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOoeP</a></li>
<li>Study: Three common insecticides have sublethal toxic effects on several invertebrate aquatic species weeks after they cease to be detected <a href="http://ow.ly/USB5L" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USB5L</a></li>
<li>Database developed to be centralized repository for conservation practices to reduce stormwater runoff from agricultural <a href="http://ow.ly/USBSn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USBSn</a> (also see this news story: <a href="http://ow.ly/USDKI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USDKI</a>)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Waters of the United States Rule</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">League of Conservation Voters launches Facebook ad campaign to criticize Senators <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) </span>for votes in support of measures to block Clean Water Rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UC3sN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UC3sN</a></li>
<li>Testimony at Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wisconsin field hearing on federal regulations is critical of Waters of the U.S. rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UHp6d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHp6d</a> (related news article <a href="http://ow.ly/UHpug" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHpug</a>)</li>
<li>Op-ed by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa): EPA's WOTUS rule "ill-conceived" <a href="http://ow.ly/UKuVW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKuVW</a></li>
<li>Tennessee farmers closely watching political fight over Obama administration's clean water rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UHAcJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHAcJ</a></li>
<li>Iowa moves to intervene in federal court challenge to Waters of the U.S. rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UOHoA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOHoA</a></li>
<li>Coalition of Texas development interests files WOTUS legal challenge in District Court for the Southern District of Texas, targeting the rule's treatment of Texas coastal wetlands <a href="http://ow.ly/UYikf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UYikf</a></li>
<li>Agricultural organizations this week sent a letter to members of the Senate about Clean Water Rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UPUE5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPUE5</a> (<i>Agri-Pulse </i>audio) (copy of ag groups' letter <a href="http://ow.ly/UPX5e" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPX5e</a>)</li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGBEtFQAmM/VknmD5YUAvI/AAAAAAAAKJc/UM9pF92vZrM/s1600/ows_14474652357952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGBEtFQAmM/VknmD5YUAvI/AAAAAAAAKJc/UM9pF92vZrM/s200/ows_14474652357952.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>U.S. Supreme Court appoints special master to oversee Mississippi-Tennessee interstate water dispute, recommend ruling to the court <a href="http://ow.ly/UHDGl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHDGl</a> (background article: <a href="http://ow.ly/UHElE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHElE</a>)</li>
<li>Op-ed: "Is hydropower green? Not really. Nothing alters a river as totally as a dam" (<i>Minneapolis StarTribune</i>) <a href="http://ow.ly/UHL2d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHL2d</a></li>
<li>'No net loss of wetlands' because of Bakken pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners official says <a href="http://ow.ly/UNmwK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNmwK</a></li>
<li>Grain shipments enjoying bargain Mississippi River navigation system barge rates (down 66% from 3-year-average) <a href="http://ow.ly/UQg8k" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQg8k</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>USDA announces availability of $350M for conservation easements nationwide under <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGWmJlTvmJs/Vk3dsWZYpnI/AAAAAAAAKLE/j-WCZfLlDHE/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGWmJlTvmJs/Vk3dsWZYpnI/AAAAAAAAKLE/j-WCZfLlDHE/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP consolidates three former programs – the Wetlands Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program); news story: <a href="http://ow.ly/USDE6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USDE6</a>; USDA release: <a href="http://ow.ly/UQo8e" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQo8e</a></li>
<li><i>Journal of Environmental Science and Policy:</i> Investing in the transition to sustainable agriculture <a href="http://ow.ly/ULADE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/ULADE</a></li>
<li>Former NRCS Chief Bruce Knight's thoughts on Natural Resources Conservation Service's fine tuning the Conservation Stewardship Program (<i>Agri-Pulse</i>) <a href="http://ow.ly/UItN7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UItN7</a></li>
<li>Environmental Working Group urges Congress not to roll back budget deal provisions that would lower the cap on returns for crop insurance companies <a href="http://ow.ly/UL660" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UL660</a></li>
<li>Analyst: Bakken pipeline would be a boon for Midwest grain farmers by freeing up freight rail service <a href="http://ow.ly/UNlHh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNlHh</a></li>
<li>Oklahoma Stewardship Council opposes "Right to Farm" proposal on November ballot, saying it favors factory farms <a href="http://ow.ly/UQdkH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQdkH</a></li>
<li>Nebraska cattle feeder may face county fines, shutdown over large cattle population, "sham" attempts to circumvent rules (Platte River) <a href="http://ow.ly/UQejM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQejM</a></li>
<li>New USDA NRCS Organic Farming Handbook released <a href="http://ow.ly/USK1t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USK1t</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGB0vzbSoDQ/Vk3ZuZdriSI/AAAAAAAAKKs/H2DyKOxBey8/s1600/201510.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="163" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGB0vzbSoDQ/Vk3ZuZdriSI/AAAAAAAAKKs/H2DyKOxBey8/s200/201510.gif" title="NOAA: October 2015 Blended Land and Sea Surface Temperature Percentiles" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>World Meteorological Organization: El Niño strengthening, will be among biggest on record <a href="http://ow.ly/UKJca" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKJca</a></li>
<li>Weekly NOAA US drought update: Large areas of precipitation across Plains to Midwest and Lower Mississippi Valley brought additional drought relief <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>Report card explores preparedness actions each state is taking to prepare for current and changes in climate threats <a href="http://ow.ly/UNYzf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNYzf</a></li>
<li>NOAA: Last month was hottest October globally since record-keeping began 136 years ago <a href="http://ow.ly/UQbLN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQbLN</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jriwpAAHTnw/Vkomw8IEBYI/AAAAAAAAKJs/JT70XODd56A/s1600/20141007__WisconsinCougar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jriwpAAHTnw/Vkomw8IEBYI/AAAAAAAAKJs/JT70XODd56A/s200/20141007__WisconsinCougar.jpg" title="In this photo provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a confirmed cougar sighting in Lincoln County, Wis. A DNR spokesman says an absentee landowner shared a photo captured on his trail camera on July 30, 2014, that was discovered during a visit to the site over the Oct. 4-5 weekend. Experts say cougars had virtually disappeared in Wisconsin in 1910. (AP Photo/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)" width="200" /></a>
<li>Study: increased drainage of smaller wetlands in Prairie Pothole region reduces piping plover breeding habitat <a href="http://ow.ly/USJuO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USJuO</a></li>
<li>Over 150 groups call on President Obama to oppose a series of anticipated riders against Endangered Species Act protections <a href="http://ow.ly/UNsCN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNsCN</a></li>
<li>Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead (R) urges Endangered Species Act reforms at Western Governors' Association's workshop <a href="http://ow.ly/UCH9S" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UCH9S</a></li>
<li>New study: Cougar numbers are recovering in the Midwest, breeding populations established in Nebraska, North and South Dakota <a href="http://ow.ly/UIDvX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UIDvX</a></li>
<li>USDA, EPA butt heads on honey bee and pesticide initiative, highlighting lobbying conflicts <a href="http://ow.ly/UKvhx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKvhx</a></li>
<li>Scientists say they have found the "missing link" in the debate over the risk of pesticides to bees <a href="http://ow.ly/UNw5f" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNw5f</a></li>
<li>USGS study: Snake species in nine Midwestern and Eastern states experiencing fungus-caused population declines <a href="http://ow.ly/UNtL4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNtL4</a></li>
<li>Yellowstone National Park authorities want to kill 1,000 (one in five) bison to bring population down to target size <a href="http://ow.ly/UPUay" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UPUay</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VKubW9iuWE/Vk3bAr2ojBI/AAAAAAAAKK4/r36y8KpzN30/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VKubW9iuWE/Vk3bAr2ojBI/AAAAAAAAKK4/r36y8KpzN30/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><b>DuPage County</b> (Illinois) Stormwater Management accepting grant proposals for projects to improve County’s stream and river quality <a href="http://ow.ly/UITB7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UITB7</a></li>
<li>Poorest town in the poorest state: <b>Tchula</b>, Mississippi (US’s most deprived communities series) <a href="http://ow.ly/UHvLV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHvLV</a></li>
<li><b>St. Louis</b>, Missouri joins global compact among cities' mayors committed to taking action on climate change <a href="http://ow.ly/UQm5L" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQm5L</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li>Judge rules that <b>Wisconsin </b>DNR can't impose groundwater monitoring requirements as a condition for high-capacity well permits <a href="http://ow.ly/UHC4d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHC4d</a></li>
<li><b>Wisconsin</b> DNR invites public input on agency approach for evaluating fish passage at dams <a href="http://ow.ly/USHQr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USHQr</a></li>
<li>Months-long impasse over a <b>Pennsylvania </b>budget poised to end - - - in December <a href="http://ow.ly/UKOnG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKOnG</a></li>
<li><b>Colorado </b>Water Conservation Board approves final draft of state water resources plan addressing use, conservation and river health <a href="http://ow.ly/USzV5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USzV5</a> (Plan is available at <a href="http://ow.ly/USzZ1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USzZ1</a>)</li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Louisiana coastal official to Congressional panel: federal government's lack of overarching plan to fight Louisiana land loss wastes money <a href="http://ow.ly/UKwpX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKwpX</a></li>
<li>Plaquemines Parish Council (Louisiana) votes to dismiss 21 lawsuits against 68 oil and gas companies over alleged damage to wetlands <a href="http://ow.ly/UCGzS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UCGzS</a></li>
<li>Partnership plans to restore four miles of embankment along Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Lafourche Parish, LA <a href="http://ow.ly/UOCca" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOCca</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>Rising energy demand is straining freshwater supplies globally; U.S. oil demand disproportionately responsible <a href="http://ow.ly/UKIyt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKIyt</a></li>
<li>Bipartisan group of U.S. Senators pushes bill to improve pipeline safety <a href="http://ow.ly/UBVqV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBVqV</a> (link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/UBWxQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBWxQ</a>)</li>
<li>West Virginia company uses "dummy proof" technologies to convert fracking wastewater into distilled water and road salt <a href="http://ow.ly/UHOUB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHOUB</a></li>
<li>Iowa Utilities Board begins debating pipeline project to carry Bakken crude oil through the state <a href="http://ow.ly/UKCzv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKCzv</a></li>
<li>For the first time in a decade, North Dakota Bakken oil patch posts a year-to-year production decline <a href="http://ow.ly/UKMTo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKMTo</a></li>
<li>For the first time in years, North Dakota's oil is now traveling by pipelines more than trucks <a href="http://ow.ly/UQA15" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQA15</a></li>
<li>In potentially illegal move, Iowa Utilities Board head withholds funding for state's renewable energy research center <a href="http://ow.ly/UKNjS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKNjS</a></li>
<li>Bureau of Land Management seeks Ohio public input over potentially opening part of Wayne National Forest to fracking <a href="http://ow.ly/UKNGH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKNGH</a></li>
<li>Coal companies scrap applications for federal leases containing nearly 2 billion tons of Wyoming Powder River Basin coal reserves <a href="http://ow.ly/UNuJs" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNuJs</a></li>
<li>Conservation groups call for increased restrictions on Powder River Basin energy production to stem wildlife decline <a href="http://ow.ly/UOH09" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOH09</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>) </i>-<br />
<ul>
<li>Critics of Obama administration's environmental rules meet with House appropriators to push for inclusion of riders in omnibus spending bill <a href="http://ow.ly/UQh0a" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQh0a</a></li>
<li>House Speaker Paul Ryan: Republicans will force President to accept some conservative policy riders in spending bill <a href="http://ow.ly/UNzAA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNzAA</a></li>
<li>House Democrats: any 'poison pill' spending bill amendments are dead on arrival <a href="http://ow.ly/UNzVp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNzVp</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Missouri Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Standards Workgroup Meeting; <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk_4wmz9hBs/Vkx9mhaq_RI/AAAAAAAAKKc/mJdXPWSKO7s/s1600/unnamed%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk_4wmz9hBs/Vkx9mhaq_RI/AAAAAAAAKKc/mJdXPWSKO7s/s200/unnamed%2B%25282%2529.jpg" title="“Gateway Park and the Gateway Center just before it was razed.” Taken by the Minneapolis Star in the 1950s. Courtesy of the Hennepin County Library." width="200" /></a></div>
<b>December 10</b>, 10 am–1 pm, Jefferson City <a href="http://ow.ly/ULPZq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/ULPZq</a></li>
<li>2015 Illinois Farm Economics Summit to explore "Nutrient Loss Challenge and Farm Bill Conservation Programs" (<b>mid-December</b>, multiple dates and locations) <a href="http://ow.ly/UQfbZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UQfbZ</a></li>
<li>St. Croix River Association presents: An Afternoon with Mark Twain featuring Don Shelby; <b>January 24, 2016</b>, 2 PM, Hudson <a href="http://ow.ly/UKEnL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKEnL</a></li>
<li>River memories-sharing spurred by “<i>Remembering the Bohemian Flats: One Place, Many Voices</i>” exhibit <a href="http://ow.ly/UNx2Y" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNx2Y</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No 220; November 16; "Paul Orr: Myths and Misconceptions" <a href="http://bit.ly/1kAG8m6" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1kAG8m6</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy November 17 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/ULLna" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/ULLna</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <i>Feedlot Update</i> - November 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/UO0QT" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UO0QT</a></li>
<li>America's Waterway <i>River Currents Newsletter</i> - November 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/UOGs0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOGs0</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin DNR: Wisconsin River Basin Clean Waterways Project Quarterly Newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/USIJq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USIJq</a></li>
<li>Gulf Restoration Network's November 19 <i>GulfWaves</i> e-magazine <a href="http://ow.ly/USOoL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USOoL</a></li>
<li>Montana Watershed Coordination Council's November 19 <i>Watershed News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/USP0z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USP0z</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Food Policy Action announces National Food Policy Progress Report for the 114th Congress <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-es4PsHWDQ94/VktJiCoTjJI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/oIUe1N2yPEs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-es4PsHWDQ94/VktJiCoTjJI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/oIUe1N2yPEs/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://ow.ly/UL4Nu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UL4Nu</a> (scored food policy issues include domestic and international hunger, food safety, food access, farm subsidies, animal welfare, food and farm labor, nutrition, food additives, food transparency, local and regional food production, organic farming and the effects of food production on the environment)</li>
<li>Indiana University researchers awarded funding to study water resources, climate variability <a href="http://ow.ly/UHrin" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHrin</a></li>
<li>Environmental Defense Fund seeks to fill Mississippi River Delta and Natural Infrastructure Economist position <a href="http://ow.ly/UHCNd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UHCNd</a></li>
<li>National Audubon Society Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition position opening: Communications Associate, New Orleans, LA <a href="http://ow.ly/UKwH7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKwH7</a></li>
<li>House passes two-week extension of Highway Trust Fund to give congress more time to finalize long-term reauthorization <a href="http://ow.ly/UKATC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UKATC</a></li>
<li>The House Natural Resources Committee releases "federal footprint" map of federal lands, as well as lands with federal environmental designations or resources subject to federal environmental regulations <a href="http://ow.ly/UNXDx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNXDx</a></li>
<li>Artist's proposal to drape 6 miles of fabric above Arkansas River gorge faces what's likely its final legal test <a href="http://ow.ly/UOGOy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOGOy</a></li>
<li>OMB releases Fall 2015 Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda; includes important regulatory actions that agencies are considering for issuance in FY 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/USCDc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USCDc</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Land and Water Conservation Fund</i></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>House Natural Resources Committee Democrats release analysis focused on Committee members' districts benefiting from LWCF money <a href="http://ow.ly/UOdI4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOdI4</a></li>
<li>House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop attempts to make case for reforming Land and Water Conservation Fund <a href="http://ow.ly/UOD0Z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UOD0Z</a></li>
<li>Land and Water Conservation Fund gains support of the Evangelical Environmental Network <a href="http://ow.ly/UL82t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UL82t</a> and 50 venture capitalists <a href="http://ow.ly/UL7Hw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UL7Hw</a></li>
<li>Senate committee approves sportsmen's legislative package including Land and Water Conservation Fund renewal amendment <a href="http://ow.ly/UR71q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UR71q</a> (link to amended bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/UR77r" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UR77r</a>)</li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Colin O'Neil</b>, Center for Food Safety director of government affairs, named new Environmental Working Group director of agriculture policy <a href="http://ow.ly/UNqAA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNqAA</a> (bottom of article)</li>
<li>Illinois state senator <b>Napoleon Harris</b> enters Democratic U.S. Senate primary race, with winner taking on <b>Mark Kirk</b> (R) <a href="http://ow.ly/UNyD5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNyD5</a></li>
<li>McKnight Foundation hires <b>Brendon Slotterback</b> as Midwest Climate and Energy program officer <a href="http://ow.ly/UNt2G" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNt2G</a></li>
<li>Illinois Governor appoints farmer and State Representative <b>Raymond Poe</b> to be Department of Agriculture Director <a href="http://ow.ly/UNq75" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UNq75</a></li>
<li>Republican candidates are backing down on "war on coal" rhetoric, finding it doesn't resonate with younger voters <a href="http://ow.ly/UL9MB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UL9MB</a></li>
<li>Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sues US Department of Agriculture, alleging censoring of scientists <a href="http://ow.ly/USJaD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USJaD</a></li>
<li>New Orleans Mayor <b>Mitch Landrieu</b>, Kentucky state legislator <b>Robert Stivers</b> named as two of <i>Governing</i> magazine's Public Officials of the Year <a href="http://ow.ly/USN9G" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/USN9G</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3pQNCMCjz8/VkX0Yog-NNI/AAAAAAAAKJA/b8ZJIox5l-g/s1600/1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3pQNCMCjz8/VkX0Yog-NNI/AAAAAAAAKJA/b8ZJIox5l-g/s640/1200.jpg" title="Photograph: Justin Jones/GuardianWitness" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-80191837979700734192015-11-16T13:50:00.000-05:002015-11-16T14:39:39.110-05:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For (UPDATED)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sitfiA0w3D4/VkTKaZVuGwI/AAAAAAAAKHg/siCaqq0zm94/s1600/Capitolphoto%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sitfiA0w3D4/VkTKaZVuGwI/AAAAAAAAKHg/siCaqq0zm94/s200/Capitolphoto%2B2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Big-ticket legislative items will consume the attention of Congress this week, ahead of its planned Thanksgiving week recess. <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px; word-spacing: 0.64px;">Surface transportation program authorization expires on Friday, and House and Senate conferees will work early in the week to resolve a handful of differences between the Senate and House long-term bill versions. </span>House and Senate appropriators will be working this week on an omnibus 2016 fiscal year spending package that both meets the conditions of the bipartisan budget deal signed into law three weeks ago, and that can pass both chambers while avoiding a Presidential veto over policy riders. Republicans plan to propose a number of spending bill riders (or amendments) that address contentious energy and environmental policies, including one restricting funding to implement the final Waters of the U.S. rule. The continuing resolution currently funding the federal government expires on December 11. The alternatives to passing an omnibus bill by then are a federal government shutdown or yet another short-term extension.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px; word-spacing: 0.64px;"><br /></span>
Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin and Coastal Louisiana water resources. Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and appropriate pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as needed. </b><br />
<br />
Tuesday, November 17<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-and-business-meetings?ID=7387e3d2-51f1-4e4b-9d3c-6083a1d45e46" target="_blank">hearing</a> to examine past wildfire seasons to inform and improve future Federal wildland fire management strategies; 10:00 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Energy and Commerce Committee <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/markup/full-committee-vote-hr1321-hr2017-hr3014-hr3537-hr3716-hr3821-hjres71-hjres72-s611" target="_blank">meeting</a> to mark up several bills, including <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/611" target="_blank">S. 611</a>, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act; and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1321" target="_blank">H.R. 1321</a>, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015; 4:00 PM, room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, November 18<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Environment and Public Works Committee <a href="http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/11/examining-the-international-climate-negotiations" target="_blank">hearing</a> examining the International Climate Negotiations; 9:30 AM, room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Budget Committee <a href="http://budget.house.gov/hearingschedule2015/does-biennial-budgeting-fit-in-a-rewrite-of-the-budget-process.htm" target="_blank">hearing</a> entitled, "Does Biennial Budgeting Fit in a Rewrite of the Budget Process?" 9:45 AM, room 210 Cannon House Office Building. </li>
<li>House Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399609" target="_blank">legislative hearing</a> on "Protecting America's Recreation and Conservation Act" (<a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/parc_act_discussion_draft_110515.pdf" target="_blank">discussion draft</a>) to "reauthorize and reform the Land and Water Conservation Fund;" 10:00 AM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Science, Space and Technology Committee <a href="https://science.house.gov/legislation/hearings/full-committee-hearing-administration-s-empty-promises-international-climate" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the "Administration’s Empty Promises for the International Climate Treaty;" 10:00 AM, room 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Thursday</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">NEW </span></b>- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/11/full-committee-business-meeting" target="_blank">business meeting</a> to consider several pieces of legislation, including <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/556" target="_blank">S. 556</a>, the "Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015," a bill "to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting," and the nomination of Suzette M. Kimball, Ph.D. to be Director of the United States Geological Survey; 9:30 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-81271051399976685742015-11-13T09:16:00.000-05:002015-11-13T09:50:26.363-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<b><i>Endangered Species Act Issues are Nuanced and Multifaceted</i></b><br />
If you ever needed proof that the issues central to informed discussions on the status and future of the Endangered Species<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_MZrExr3Kc/VkSuj0_P6vI/AAAAAAAAKHU/hifbEq254vw/s1600/Untitled22.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_MZrExr3Kc/VkSuj0_P6vI/AAAAAAAAKHU/hifbEq254vw/s200/Untitled22.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Act (ESA) are both sophisticated and complex, look no further than this past Tuesday's <a href="http://www.farmfoundation.org/farmfoundationforums.aspx" target="_blank">Farm Foundation Forum</a> panel presentations on "The Endangered Species Act of the Future." The Forum proceeded from an overview of what many deem to be a successful 11-state effort involving governments, landowners and industries to prevent the ESA listing of the greater sage grouse. But the panel members went beyond that singular example to explore in detail and nuance the varied perspectives on the ESA, giving the audience a glimpse into how those diverse views might shape the future of the Act, itself, and of landscape, agricultural, species and ecosystem conservation overall [That future will likely entail a <a href="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD414821" target="_blank">just-announced USDA initiative</a> to engage farmers and ranchers in the monarch butterfly's 11-state migration range in efforts to improve habitat and turn around that species rapid numbers decline (possibly avoiding a potential ESA listing)].<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOIbHlFpR2c/VkTyRi_TMTI/AAAAAAAAKIM/g7TTGfdGTJQ/s1600/11219674_10207643824444534_6400883300774002735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOIbHlFpR2c/VkTyRi_TMTI/AAAAAAAAKIM/g7TTGfdGTJQ/s200/11219674_10207643824444534_6400883300774002735_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Layered between informed and informative opening and closing remarks, respectively, by Jason Weller (Chief, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service) and Alex Echols (representing the Sand County Foundation) were distinctive and notably refined presentations by Michael Bean, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of Interior, David Willms, Policy Advisor to Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, Brian Rutledge, Vice President of the National Audubon Society, and Wyoming rancher Patrick O'Toole, who is also President of the Family Farm Alliance. Biographies of all of the presenters can be <a href="http://ow.ly/Uzg8B" target="_blank">seen here</a>, and both their panel remarks, and the subsequent question and answer session can be found <a href="http://www.farmfoundation.org/news/articlefiles/1908-2015-11-10_farm_foundation.mp3" target="_blank">here in an audio format</a>. A listen is highly recommended.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Federal Spending Legislation Takes Shape - Policy Riders Are in Play</i></b><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITmKrcmDjCA/VkXVKn_iYVI/AAAAAAAAKIc/TVDEqF0YHkE/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITmKrcmDjCA/VkXVKn_iYVI/AAAAAAAAKIc/TVDEqF0YHkE/s200/IMG_0233.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
For the next several weeks behind the scenes in Congress we'll find House and Senate appropriations committee members and staff diligently crafting an omnibus 2016 fiscal year spending package that both meets the conditions of the bipartisan budget deal signed into law three weeks ago (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1314">H.R.1314</a> - the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015), and (they hope) that can be passed by both chambers while avoiding a Presidential veto. Potential political potholes along the road to enactment arise from Republican plans to propose a number of spending bill riders (or amendments) that address contentious policy, including those blocking implementation of the final Waters of the U.S. rule, and the proposed Interior Department stream protection rule (other possible environmental riders include those overturning recent changes to ozone emission standards and the U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan). Some Democrats and their staff are softening a previously hard-line Democratic anti-rider position, and now indicate that it will be impossible to pass a totally rider-free spending bill.<br />
<br />
Negotiators have until December 11 to prepare spending legislation and get it passed. After that date, the continuing resolution currently funding the federal government expires. The alternatives to passing an omnibus bill by then are a federal government shutdown or yet another short-term extension. Congressional staff indicate that appropriators are unlikely to finish their spending bill negotiations until the week of November 30 at the earliest.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Next Week</i></b><br />
Next week's Congressional committee activity includes several hearings of interest to Mississippi River Basin and Coastal Louisiana water resource stakeholders; one being a legislative hearing on a bill authored by Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah to "reauthorize and reform the Land and Water Conservation Fund." You can see the entire list of water-relevant committee hearings <a href="http://ow.ly/UBvf2%EF%BB%BF" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week</i></b><br />
<br />
Water Quality -<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wisconsin Train Derailments and Spills</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf1gcaJ0aPk/VkCf2wl1wBI/AAAAAAAAKGE/9oBGt130QjU/s1600/b99612194z.1_20151108122724_000_g5ud8t8l.1-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf1gcaJ0aPk/VkCf2wl1wBI/AAAAAAAAKGE/9oBGt130QjU/s320/b99612194z.1_20151108122724_000_g5ud8t8l.1-0.jpg" title="Photo: Matthew Seckora / The Winona Daily News " width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Wisconsin: train carrying crude oil derails and leaks oil one day after train derailed on the Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/UpQ0P" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpQ0P</a> (<i>related stories below</i>)</li>
<li>Canadian Pacific Railway: broken rail caused an oil train derailment in southeastern Wisconsin <a href="http://ow.ly/UyZcA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyZcA</a></li>
<li>Crews clean up after train derailment, ethanol spill on Mississippi River in western Wisconsin <a href="http://ow.ly/UpQkw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpQkw</a> (<i>photo to the right</i>)</li>
<li>Mississippi River backwaters' clean up from train derailment, ethanol spill continues; environmental impacts unknown <a href="http://ow.ly/UtKKW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtKKW</a></li>
<li>BNSF Railway says Wisconsin rail ethanol spill was not harmful to aquatic life <a href="http://ow.ly/UyNRb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyNRb</a></li>
<li>Officials say Wisconsin "dodged a bullet" following the spill of thousands of gallons of ethanol from a derailed train <a href="http://ow.ly/UBOM8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBOM8</a></li>
<li>Federal officials investigating what caused two Wisconsin weekend train derailments-ethanol and crude oil <a href="http://ow.ly/UtLax" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtLax</a></li>
<li>Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) urges House leadership to immediately bring his rail safety legislation to a floor for a vote <a href="http://ow.ly/UyN5i" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyN5i</a></li>
<li>Recent train derailments in Wisconsin show the need for safety upgrades and better emergency response planning <a href="http://ow.ly/UBP5t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBP5t</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Other Water Quality News</i></i></div>
<ul>
<li>Safe, clean drinking water eludes many Wisconsinites faced with metal and nitrate pollution <a href="http://ow.ly/UyIsW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyIsW</a></li>
<li>About 1,000 barrels of crude oil spilled from a pipeline in rural Oklahoma; "no water was contaminated" <a href="http://ow.ly/UpZXO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpZXO</a></li>
<li>North Dakota Department of Health notified of 250 barrel (10,500 gallon) brine spill in Stark County; "some" collected <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu9rm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu9rm</a></li>
<li>North Dakota Department of Health notified of pipeline leak; approximately 225 barrels (9450 gallons) of crude oil released <a href="http://ow.ly/UqhlZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UqhlZ</a></li>
<li>National implications: Farm organizations, home builders ask U.S. Supreme Court to consider blocking the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay pollution limits <a href="http://ow.ly/UpMgn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpMgn</a></li>
<li>State to revive mercury testing program for fish caught in Louisiana waters for the first time since 2008 <a href="http://ow.ly/UpRmD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpRmD</a></li>
<li>Over 50 business organizations turn up pressure on 10 moderate Democrats and Independent who voted against Senate WOTUS-blocking bill <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu0Z2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu0Z2</a> (related news article <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu1LF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu1LF</a>)</li>
<li>Consortium of aquatic scientists opposed Senate Resolution invalidating Clean Water Rule <a href="http://ow.ly/Uueu7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uueu7</a></li>
<li>4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denies environmental groups' request to force U.S. EPA to respond to petition to withdraw West Virginia's Clean Water Act permitting authority <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu2p7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu2p7</a></li>
<li>Illinois Nutrient Science Advisory Committee members named; will guide nutrient water quality standards development <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu8N5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu8N5</a></li>
<li>Missouri Coalition for the Environment files notice of intent to sue US EPA over its failure to oversee development of state's water quality standards under Clean Water Act <a href="http://ow.ly/UyQ1l" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyQ1l</a></li>
<li>Coal mining cleanup in Ohio waterways showing mixed results as legacy pollution persists <a href="http://ow.ly/UyXXO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyXXO</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/UyY4n" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyY4n</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee gearing up for next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu6KX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu6KX</a></li>
<li>Obama administration files petition with U.S. Supreme Court regarding two pending appeals in water cases <a href="http://ow.ly/UBM0d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBM0d</a> (related story: <a href="http://ow.ly/UBMjN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBMjN</a>)</li>
<li>Petitioners ask Army Corps to be more transparent with its processing of permit applications <a href="http://ow.ly/Ul7Hj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ul7Hj</a></li>
<li>Nebraska irrigators served by Republican River basin irrigation district sue state for sending water to Kansas in 2014 <a href="http://ow.ly/UqfRj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UqfRj</a></li>
<li>USDA expands water resource investment in Ogallala Aquifer Initiative; adds focus areas in Nebraska and Oklahoma <a href="http://ow.ly/UquSt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UquSt</a></li>
<li>US Army Corps of Engineers' Pittsburgh District requests input on Ohio River riverfront habitat restoration project <a href="http://ow.ly/UtIqY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtIqY</a></li>
<li>Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana looks to add two new levee projects to its proposed 2016 parish budget <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu82t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu82t</a></li>
<li>The Future of Ag Water: Increase Irrigation Efficiency and Sell Conserved Water <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz0TH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz0TH</a></li>
<li>Over 200 groups send letter urging House members to vote against "North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act; "an unprecedented assault" on rivers, people and wildlife <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz28u" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz28u</a> (link to bill <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz2Dp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz2Dp</a>)</li>
<li>Purdue University study: Current flood models do not account for cities' impact on local rainfall patterns <a href="http://ow.ly/UzUlI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzUlI</a></li>
<li>EPA releases draft National Wetland Condition Assessment for comment <a href="http://ow.ly/UA3T2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UA3T2</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29i5yHAWNdk/VkScqNRTviI/AAAAAAAAKHA/1fHXbtvd45k/s1600/Nutrient-Recycling-Challenge_Logo-final.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29i5yHAWNdk/VkScqNRTviI/AAAAAAAAKHA/1fHXbtvd45k/s200/Nutrient-Recycling-Challenge_Logo-final.png" width="200" /></a>Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>Top USDA official says climate change poses a serious threat to Midwest agriculture <a href="http://ow.ly/UtLDU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtLDU</a></li>
<li>EPA and USDA partner with producers, and environmental and scientific experts to develop technologies to recycle nutrients from livestock waste <a href="http://ow.ly/UyWi7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyWi7</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>Figures compiled by the World Meteorological Organization showed strong growth and new records during 2015 in concentrations of all three of most important heat-trapping gases <a href="http://ow.ly/Uq7sv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uq7sv</a></li>
<li>"Drought creep” intensifies across southern Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas <a href="http://ow.ly/UyFdi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyFdi</a></li>
<li>NOAA US drought update: dryness expanded in parts of Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and Illinois; was alleviated in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, southeastern Oklahoma <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OnbjA4-Nu8/VkSGRBgpfzI/AAAAAAAAKGk/6_4SHnBxCnM/s1600/Sandhill-Cranes-in-corn-stubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OnbjA4-Nu8/VkSGRBgpfzI/AAAAAAAAKGk/6_4SHnBxCnM/s200/Sandhill-Cranes-in-corn-stubble.jpg" title="Sandhill Cranes in corn stubble" width="200" /></a>Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>USDA launches new conservation effort to aid monarch butterflies <a href="http://ow.ly/UzoEw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzoEw</a></li>
<li>Public can comment through Nov. 19 on proposal to allow Wisconsin corn growers to treat seed with repellent to stop Sandhill Crane feeding <a href="http://ow.ly/UyJ9h" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyJ9h</a></li>
<li>Researchers find fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in Nebraska bats, marking the westernmost detection of the fungus <a href="http://ow.ly/UzOHe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzOHe</a></li>
<li>Western state wildlife officials urge oil and gas companies to enroll in voluntary plan to conserve lesser prairie chicken habitat <a href="http://ow.ly/UzP6G" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzP6G</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Department of Natural Resources live bald eagle cam video streaming now from Twin Cities nest <a href="http://ow.ly/UBLxD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBLxD</a></li>
<li>Bureau of Land Management to hold nine public hearings over proposal to withdraw up to 10 million acres of federal lands in six states from new mining claims in an effort to protect the greater sage grouse <a href="http://ow.ly/UBNa1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBNa1</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Minneapolis </b>City Council resolution targets oil train safety through the city <a href="http://ow.ly/UyMwZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyMwZ</a></li>
<li><b>New Orleans</b> officials hope to use BP spill money to help fund huge disaster mitigation plan <a href="http://ow.ly/UyUMX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyUMX</a></li>
<li><i>The Guardian</i>: Blighted <b>Beattyville</b>, Kentucky, where hostility to the US’s first black president and his "war on coal" runs deep <a href="http://ow.ly/UBxSe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBxSe</a></li>
<li>U.S. EPA invites nominations for possible appointment to its Local Government Advisory Committee <a href="http://ow.ly/UyTIn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyTIn</a> (December 14 deadline)</li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Illinois </b>Pollution Control Board asks state EPA to detail how it will implement new federal coal-ash disposal rules <a href="http://ow.ly/Uq1q1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uq1q1</a> (<i>related</i>: Illinois Pollution Control Board Acts on Concerns Regarding Coal Ash Waste from Electric Generating Plants <a href="http://ow.ly/Uqgvu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uqgvu</a>)</li>
<li><b>Wisconsin </b>state lawmakers introduce rail safety bill in wake of two derailments <a href="http://ow.ly/UyMMs" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyMMs</a></li>
<li>Critics say politicized state environmental agency threatens <b>Wisconsin's </b>water <a href="http://ow.ly/UBFCo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBFCo</a></li>
<li>Lake associations, river groups, local governments can apply for <b>Wisconsin </b>DNR surface water planning grants through December 10 <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz1xD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz1xD</a></li>
<li><b>Kansas </b>slashes current fiscal year revenue estimate by $159 million, announces budget adjustments <a href="http://ow.ly/UtHAG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtHAG</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>budget deal near with higher sales tax, but many decisions still need to be agreed to <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu0fd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu0fd</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/UyJGV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyJGV</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Funding for Louisiana's 50-year master plan for coastal restoration and hurricane storm surge protection at least $71 billion short <a href="http://ow.ly/Uqfd9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uqfd9</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA solicits comments and information on public and private programs to protect water quality from forest road stormwater runoff <a href="http://ow.ly/UyVdV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyVdV</a></li>
<li>USDA announces $10.6 million in available funding for projects to restore southern and southeastern longleaf pine ecosystems (including in Mississippi and Louisiana) <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz3cI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz3cI</a></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWi1rqfe-3M/VkCsudgF3LI/AAAAAAAAKGU/np6KArLOV7o/s1600/563d24c63dba6.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWi1rqfe-3M/VkCsudgF3LI/AAAAAAAAKGU/np6KArLOV7o/s200/563d24c63dba6.preview.jpg" title="Enbridge pipelines in Wisconsin" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(click to enlarge either map)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huHU6S7nb7s/VkSIqCP8OTI/AAAAAAAAKGw/PTMKb7p1i90/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huHU6S7nb7s/VkSIqCP8OTI/AAAAAAAAKGw/PTMKb7p1i90/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a>
<li>President Obama rejects application to build the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast <a href="http://ow.ly/Ul3JN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ul3JN</a></li>
<li>Keystone XL oil pipeline supporters plan their next steps following President Obama's permit rejection <a href="http://ow.ly/UpLP5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpLP5</a></li>
<li>Enbridge mapping possible 'twin' of major tar sands line through Wisconsin <a href="http://ow.ly/Uq0Hc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uq0Hc</a></li>
<li>Analysts say President Obama's rejection of Keystone XL project may eventually boost rail shipments out of Alberta <a href="http://ow.ly/UtJSb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtJSb</a></li>
<li>After five years of work, Obama administration's proposed regulatory overhaul fails to patch hole in US pipeline safety net <a href="http://ow.ly/UpZns" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UpZns</a></li>
<li>Signs of a developing shale gas economy dot the Ohio River in Marshall County, West Virginia <a href="http://ow.ly/Uq8gd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uq8gd</a></li>
<li>Southern Illinois community braces for another coal bust cycle cycle as one of two large mines is scheduled to close within six months <a href="http://ow.ly/UtKin" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtKin</a></li>
<li>Coal "isn’t going anywhere," according to the head of the World Coal Association - it's simply "moved to Asia" <a href="http://ow.ly/UyG0H" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyG0H</a></li>
<li><i>Des Moines Register</i>: 12 things to know about proposed Bakken oil pipeline (through Iowa) <a href="http://ow.ly/UyKbH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyKbH</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>Iowa commission voting on the Bakken pipeling project is one of the most inexperienced utility commissions in the country <a href="http://ow.ly/UyYMx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyYMx</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget<i> (You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on this <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">Congress.gov web page</a>)</i><br />
<br />
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Webinar: Navigating the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: How the Toolkit can support local planning and decisions for enhanced community resilience, <b>November 19</b>; 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET <a href="http://ow.ly/Upx8C" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Upx8C</a></li>
<li>Association of State Wetland Managers Webinar: Improving Wetland Restoration Success Project-Novel Ecosystems and Restoration; <b>November 19</b>, 3 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/UqiF2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UqiF2</a></li>
<li>USEPA Science Advisory Board Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel Public Teleconference, <b>December 3</b>, 2-6 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu7yM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu7yM</a></li>
<li>76th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, <b>January 24-27, 2016</b>; Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan <a href="http://ow.ly/UziDr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UziDr</a></li>
<li>StormCon 2016-annual surface water quality conference; Indianapolis, Indiana, <b>August 22 - 25, 2016</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/Uz0m7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uz0m7</a></li>
<li>Presentations from the 2015 Minnesota Water Resources Conference are now posted on University of Minnesota website <a href="http://ow.ly/Uzs6o" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uzs6o</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No 219, November 9: "Gators and Freighters" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rahzy8QivKA/VkXxiYVUeII/AAAAAAAAKIs/j7NZR8WPauE/s1600/32b7537f-656c-471c-954e-68150742d4a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rahzy8QivKA/VkXxiYVUeII/AAAAAAAAKIs/j7NZR8WPauE/s200/32b7537f-656c-471c-954e-68150742d4a7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://ow.ly/UufZu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UufZu</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter for November 10 <a href="http://ow.ly/UtXft" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtXft</a></li>
<li>Fall edition of Army Corps of Engineers' "<i>Our Mississippi</i>" magazine <a href="http://ow.ly/UueWU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UueWU</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <i>Waterfront Bulletin</i> for November 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/UzgN1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzgN1</a></li>
<li><i>NW PAssages </i>November e-magazine, exploring NW Pennsylvania's greenways and natural heritage <a href="http://ow.ly/UzSFa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzSFa</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Tennessee Clean Water Network seeks to fill a staff attorney position <a href="http://ow.ly/UyGfZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyGfZ</a></li>
<li>National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announces RFP for 2016 Five Star and Urban Waters <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64QAAVp3WUI/VkXxxJnWe-I/AAAAAAAAKIw/8YjLF8GwcpY/s1600/PA-River-Map-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64QAAVp3WUI/VkXxxJnWe-I/AAAAAAAAKIw/8YjLF8GwcpY/s320/PA-River-Map-2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Restoration grants <a href="http://ow.ly/UBKQy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBKQy</a></li>
<li>Voting open for 2016 Pennsylvania River of the Year through December 4; Ohio, and Kiski-Conemaugh rivers nominated <a href="http://ow.ly/UzGQm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzGQm</a></li>
<li>Annual ‘Greening The Statehouse’ environmental event in Indiana this year will focus on coal ash management rules <a href="http://ow.ly/UtM0I" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtM0I</a></li>
<li>New GOP bill - H.R.3939 - would "require that the workforce of the Environmental Protection Agency be reduced by 15 percent" <a href="http://ow.ly/UqjA8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UqjA8</a></li>
<li>Republicans disagree over House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop's plan to reform Land and Water Conservation Fund <a href="http://ow.ly/Uu46w" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uu46w</a></li>
<li>Chances of a Senate vote on bill to overhaul TSCA dim because of protracted Land and Water Conservation Fund fight <a href="http://ow.ly/UBGpe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBGpe</a></li>
<li>Western Values Project ad tries to convince three Republicans to oppose their party's Land and Water Conservation Fund bill <a href="http://ow.ly/UyVJb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyVJb</a></li>
<li>City Parks Alliance: " A Smart Investment for America's Health: Land and Water Conservation Fund" <a href="http://ow.ly/UugBk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UugBk</a></li>
<li>River Life blog: America’s Watershed Report Card: A Good Start Despite/Because of the Controversy <a href="http://ow.ly/UBF93" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBF93</a></li>
<li>Controversial herbicide glyphosate can now be approved for relicensing in the European Union <a href="http://ow.ly/UBFOv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBFOv</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>Obscure North Dakota federal district judge <b>Ralph Erickson</b> takes lead role in fight over Obama clean water act rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UyHU7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UyHU7</a></li>
<li>Rep. <b>Cynthia Lummis</b> (R, At-Large, Wyoming) will not seek re-election in 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/UBD3o" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UBD3o</a></li>
<li>Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity joint "State Integrity Investigation" grades states based on laws and systems they have in place to deter corruption; three states graded higher than D+ <a href="http://ow.ly/UtOCu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UtOCu</a></li>
<li>Columnist fired after writing article critical of Ducks Unlimited donor regarding access to ranchland near Ruby River (Missouri River Basin in Montana) <a href="http://ow.ly/UzQyh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzQyh</a></li>
<li>Gallup poll: Congress' job approval rating slips to 11 percent <a href="http://ow.ly/UzRbd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UzRbd</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGVDfQM2sI8/VkCUZO3KbbI/AAAAAAAAKF0/oKNEervvz8M/s1600/1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGVDfQM2sI8/VkCUZO3KbbI/AAAAAAAAKF0/oKNEervvz8M/s640/1198.jpg" title="Photograph: Jenny Downing/GuardianWitness" width="636" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-576706507474564332015-11-10T13:40:00.000-05:002015-11-10T13:52:42.428-05:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For (UPDATED)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUdamAOzNFE/Vjy-Yj24yNI/AAAAAAAAKFY/ZIdrQh3ciQs/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUdamAOzNFE/Vjy-Yj24yNI/AAAAAAAAKFY/ZIdrQh3ciQs/s200/IMG_0205.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
The House stands in recess until November 16, and the Senate chambers will be darkened this Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans' Day, leaving very little room for Congressional activities. Behind the scenes this week, Senate appropriators will be busy drafting an omnibus spending bill after receiving new spending allocations that reflect the bipartisan budget deal signed into law two weeks ago (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1314">H.R.1314</a> - the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015). Congress is facing a December 11 deadline to pass spending legislation for the current fiscal year. The topic of spending bill "riders" that limit funding for contentious federal programs and initiatives is sure to arise between now and then. Last week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R), Chairwoman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee (that oversees spending bills relating to the U.S. EPA and the Interior Department) reiterated the Republican plan to put forward multiple riders, including one restricting spending to implement the Waters of the U.S. rule.<br />
<br />
Thus far only two Senate committee hearings are scheduled this week relating to Mississippi River Basin water resources: a hearing regarding spending on unauthorized programs (see this <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/49871-UAEA_Appropriations_1.pdf" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office fiscal year 2015 summary</a> of "Unauthorized Appropriations and Expiring Authorizations," which includes the presently-unauthorized Land and Water Conservation Fund), and a Wisconsin field hearing in Stevens Point (a Wisconsin River town) on federal regulations.<br />
<br />
Links are provided below to the relevant committee web pages. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the hearing link). <b>This information will be updated as warranted.</b><br />
<br />
Thursday, November 12<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate <a href="http://www.budget.senate.gov/republican/public/index.cfm/hearing-schedule" target="_blank">Budget Committee</a> hearing to examine spending on unauthorized programs; 10:30 AM, room 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building (No details or hearing link are yet available).</li>
</ul>
Friday, November 13<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">NEW</span></b> - House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee <a href="http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399555" target="_blank">roundtable</a> on “The Importance of Port, Waterway, Flood Control, and Ecosystem Restoration Improvements to the Nation’s Economy: Concepts for the Next Water Resources Development Act;” 9:30 AM CST; Formal Conference Room (fourth floor), Louisiana Supreme Court, 400 Royal St., New Orleans</li>
<li>Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs <a href="http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/the-impact-of-federal-regulations-a-case-study-of-recently-issued-rules" target="_blank">field hearing</a> on the "Impact of Federal Regulations: A Case Study of Recently Issued Rules;" 1:00 PM CT, Dreyfus University Center, 230 Laird Room (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lee+Sherman+Dreyfus+University+Center,+1015+Reserve+St,+Stevens+Point,+WI+54481/@44.5258916,-89.6038705,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88005aeca9dbf8c9:0x5e96dbe0bca8fe14" target="_blank">1015 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI</a> 54481).</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-34717915778680453972015-11-06T10:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T15:25:19.246-05:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<b><i>Next Week in Congress</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTJGbRJIQdY/VjzARX-a9UI/AAAAAAAAKFg/ls9VlQfAgzE/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTJGbRJIQdY/VjzARX-a9UI/AAAAAAAAKFg/ls9VlQfAgzE/s200/IMG_0205.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
It was a busy week on Capitol Hill this week (as illustrated below), but next week will be practically lifeless in comparison. The House stands in recess until November 16, and the Senate chambers will be darkened next Wednesday for Veterans' Day. That leaves very little room next week for Congressional activities relating to Mississippi River Basin water resources. In fact, thus far only one such committee hearing is scheduled: a Wisconsin field hearing in Stevens Point (along the Wisconsin River) on federal regulations. The details on that hearing, and any updates to water-related Congressional activity will be available on <a href="http://nemwuppermiss.blogspot.com/2015/11/capitol-hill-next-week-what-to-watch-for.html" target="_blank">this web site</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
<br />
Water Quality -<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Waters of the United States Rule</i></div>
<ul>
<li>U.S. Chamber of Commerce tells senators it will keep tabs how they vote on WOTUS rule
<a href="http://ow.ly/UbojN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbojN</a> as does League of Conservation Voters <a href="http://ow.ly/Ubotc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ubotc</a> (related news story: <a href="http://ow.ly/UboLJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UboLJ</a>)</li>
<li>Senate fails to move forward with a GOP-led bill to overturn the Obama administration’s clean water rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UeCER" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeCER</a></li>
<li>Democrats successfully filibuster Barrasso anti-WOTUS bill, setting up a Wednesday CRA resolution vote to block rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UeyIt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeyIt</a></li>
<li>White House issues veto threat for Senate Congressional Review Act resolution that would stop WOTUS rule <a href="http://ow.ly/Ueycb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ueycb</a></li>
<li>Senate passes Congressional Review Act resolution 53-44 to kill Obama administration's controversial clean water rule <a href="http://ow.ly/Ufv3S" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ufv3S</a></li>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1scdSqlrXWA/VjjxHSrSUiI/AAAAAAAAKDs/4ZsCRcsK7Xo/s1600/nrcseprd412815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1scdSqlrXWA/VjjxHSrSUiI/AAAAAAAAKDs/4ZsCRcsK7Xo/s320/nrcseprd412815.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Senate: 10 Democrats; 1 Independent call on Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to better clarify implications of final WOTUS rule <a href="http://ow.ly/UfzvN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UfzvN</a></li>
<li>Colorado governor moves to stop state Attorney General's EPA lawsuits, including suit to block WOTUS rule <a href="http://ow.ly/Ukaxp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ukaxp</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other Water Quality News</div>
<ul>
<li>USDA invests $30 Million to improve Mississippi River Basin water quality; 33 new projects and 40 existing projects targeted in high-priority watersheds funded through NRCS' Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative <a href="http://ow.ly/Ucg0t" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ucg0t</a> (Full list of 2016 projects: <a href="http://ow.ly/UcgLu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UcgLu</a>)</li>
<li>Final EPA wastewater rule limits pollutants released by power plants known to cause cancer, other health issues; story: <a href="http://ow.ly/UbrPN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbrPN</a> <i>Federal Register </i>notice: <a href="http://ow.ly/UbrYt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbrYt</a> (final rule goes into effect in 60 days)</li>
<li>Blue-green algae bloom plaguing the Ohio River is subsiding, while scientists ponder the causes <a href="http://ow.ly/UhByt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhByt</a></li>
<li>Kentucky lifts recreational use advisory caused by algal bloom for Markland, Meldahl, Greenup pools of Ohio River <a href="http://ow.ly/UhCw3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhCw3</a></li>
<li>Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge lifts blue-green algae advisory for Long Lake (North Dakota) <a href="http://ow.ly/Ukny8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ukny8</a></li>
<li>Ohio Attorney General joins other state AGs in opposing Interior Department's new stream protection rule <a href="http://ow.ly/U8n9w" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8n9w</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Local Road Research Board funds review of successful road deicing approaches that keep waters cleaner <a href="http://ow.ly/U8uow" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8uow</a></li>
<li>Water Environment Federation: "The Essential Elements of a Successful Water Trading Program <a href="http://ow.ly/UfA1z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UfA1z</a></li>
<li>Studies identify water quality problems (bacteria and phosphorus), remedies for the Goose Creek Watershed (Minnesota) <a href="http://ow.ly/UhhUY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhhUY</a></li>
<li>Rep. Edwards (D-MD) Amendment to House highway bill adopted - re: highway designs to better manage storm water <a href="http://ow.ly/UhlNJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhlNJ</a></li>
<li>Minnesota project seeks to demonstrate water quality approaches focused on linking upland practices with farm tile outlets <a href="http://ow.ly/UhA2C" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhA2C</a></li>
<li>U.S. EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel criticizes agency's finding of no 'widespread, systemic' problems with drinking water from hydraulic fracturing; Committee materials including comments: <a href="http://ow.ly/UhKtD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhKtD</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrwQyZsEnd4/VjiuNbxy6AI/AAAAAAAAKDI/chHUpNvZayc/s1600/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrwQyZsEnd4/VjiuNbxy6AI/AAAAAAAAKDI/chHUpNvZayc/s200/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><i>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes Company</i> wetland case seen as 'no-brainer' for U.S. Supreme Court review <a href="http://ow.ly/U89Nt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U89Nt</a></li>
<li>Supporters of a plan to bring Missouri River water to the Red River Valley say it's time to move forward <a href="http://ow.ly/UhzC3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhzC3</a></li>
<li>NPR: Illinois Issues: Urban Flooding-Heavier rainfalls and sprawling development have left outdated sewers struggling to keep water out of streets, businesses and homes <a href="http://ow.ly/U8viG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8viG</a></li>
<li>Louisiana's congressional delegation tells Army Corps of Engineers of serious concern over 460-acre wetland construction project <a href="http://ow.ly/UhhtG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhhtG</a></li>
<li>Concerns about and conflicts over water in Red River (of the South) Basin grow over of increases in water use <a href="http://ow.ly/UhAy7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhAy7</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>USDA NRCS proposes to revise Illinois Technical Guide regarding wetland determinations to include offsite methods <a href="http://ow.ly/Uhtw4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uhtw4</a></li>
<li>Media release: USDA Provides $314 Million in Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvements in Rural Communities Nationwide <a href="http://ow.ly/U93i1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U93i1</a></li>
<li>EPA proposes ban on all agricultural uses of the Dow AgroSciences insecticide chlorpyrifos <a href="http://ow.ly/UbvQS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbvQS</a></li>
<li>Office of Science and Technology Policy seeks input on programs working to innovate agricultural science; areas of need in research, education, training <a href="http://ow.ly/UhtSA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhtSA</a></li>
<li>Bills being introduced in House and Senate would cut $19 billion over 10 years from federal crop insurance program <a href="http://ow.ly/UhQbK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhQbK</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA: New report finds human-caused climate change increased the severity of many extreme events in 2014 <a href="http://ow.ly/UkcUI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UkcUI</a></li>
<li>NOAA US drought update: rains end general expansion of dryness or drought in most of <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNrwyUuIAs/VjtmTOXyMlI/AAAAAAAAKEo/1Uzr1z5yCzA/s1600/20151103_usdm_home.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNrwyUuIAs/VjtmTOXyMlI/AAAAAAAAKEo/1Uzr1z5yCzA/s200/20151103_usdm_home.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Plains, southern Mississippi River Valley and Midwest <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair accuses NOAA of violating his subpoena for scientists' emails <a href="http://ow.ly/UhoX6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhoX6</a> (<i>related article below</i>)</li>
<li>Meteorologists defend NOAA; say Lamar Smith actions "can be viewed as a form of intimidation" <a href="http://ow.ly/UhpjB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhpjB</a></li>
<li>NOAA Climate Prediction Center monthly drought outlook for November: forecasts favor a continuation of wet pattern and widespread removal of drought conditions <a href="http://ow.ly/SQXLJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/SQXLJ</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tjarDDDTkQ/VjiwyAlyfgI/AAAAAAAAKDc/YzQ3FW8jvZ0/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tjarDDDTkQ/VjiwyAlyfgI/AAAAAAAAKDc/YzQ3FW8jvZ0/s200/Untitled.png" width="200" /></a>Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>DNR busts Minnesota snapping turtle poachers, three men face charges <a href="http://ow.ly/UbtM7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbtM7</a></li>
<li>U.S. Fish and Wildlife crews detect two small silver carp upstream of Seneca, Ill., in the Illinois River <a href="http://ow.ly/UbuMQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbuMQ</a></li>
<li>Lawmakers told it could take at least four years to develop plan to stop Asian carp at Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet <a href="http://ow.ly/Ukfuu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ukfuu</a></li>
<li>Rep. Hartzler (R-MO) amendment to House highway bill rejected (re: repealing section on landscaping and scenic enhancement); had been opposed by pollinator habitat advocates <a href="http://ow.ly/UhmnC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhmnC</a></li>
<li>New Senate bill seeks to prevent and slow the spread of invasive species on federal lands <a href="http://ow.ly/Uho3y" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uho3y</a>; link to Senate bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/UhnXa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhnXa</a> and link to companion H.R. 1485 here: <a href="http://ow.ly/UhnSS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhnSS</a></li>
<li>U.S. Geological Survey: Native bees are being exposed to neonicotinoids and other pesticides in farm fields <a href="http://ow.ly/UhqAA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhqAA</a></li>
<li>Snowy owls coming to Minnesota earlier and more often looking for food <a href="http://ow.ly/Ukb8S" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ukb8S</a></li>
<li>24 Democratic senators and Independent Bernie Sanders urge Obama to veto bills with anti-Endangered Species Act riders <a href="http://ow.ly/UkdTX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UkdTX</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li><b>East St. Louis</b>, Illinois finds itself near bottom, <b>Cedar Falls</b>, Iowa and <b>Bismark</b>, North Dakota near top of new "Best and Worst Small Cities in America” rankings <a href="http://ow.ly/UhDRX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhDRX</a></li>
<li>Pennsylvania town defies federal judge; revises charter to maintain drilling operation wastewater ban <a href="http://ow.ly/UhLHu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhLHu</a></li>
<li><i>Times-Picayune</i> editorial: Levee taxes are essential to keeping greater <b>New Orleans</b> area safe from storms <a href="http://ow.ly/Uk7YA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uk7YA</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Iowa </b>citizens' group files complaint accusing state environmental officials of failing to closely <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfSCA1kKtsI/VjyVztBp4gI/AAAAAAAAKFI/Haz_fC_tLpc/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfSCA1kKtsI/VjyVztBp4gI/AAAAAAAAKFI/Haz_fC_tLpc/s200/Untitled.png" title="2016 Legislative Calendars for States" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
review waste-management reports (manure) <a href="http://ow.ly/Uhwke" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uhwke</a></li>
<li><b>Minnesota </b>Capitol building restoration raising concerns about restrictions to open government <a href="http://ow.ly/UhjVV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhjVV</a></li>
<li>Audit: Financially strapped <b>Louisiana </b>lost $1.1 billion from 2010-2014 because of severance tax exemption on horizontal drilling <a href="http://ow.ly/UhGTz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhGTz</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>state budget impasse enters fifth month but signs of progress reported <a href="http://ow.ly/U8scQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8scQ</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania</b> DEP invites comments on new policy for assessing, reporting stream quality <a href="http://ow.ly/U8wgU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8wgU</a></li>
<li>Listing of 2016 legislative calendars for states <a href="http://ow.ly/UhMWh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhMWh</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Can Mississippi River sediment save Louisiana's disappearing coastline? <a href="http://ow.ly/UhgUd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhgUd</a></li>
<li>Louisiana coastal restoration design competition finalists would abandon coastal communities <a href="http://ow.ly/Uhh9Y" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uhh9Y</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy: Louisiana lacks sufficient funds for coastal protection, restoration <a href="http://ow.ly/UkcCL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UkcCL</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>Limited study: Environmental damage from brine spills is more severe and longer-lasting than <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLkrqoLpvIM/VjpSYWlEkAI/AAAAAAAAKEI/6-LnUkPjq8M/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLkrqoLpvIM/VjpSYWlEkAI/AAAAAAAAKEI/6-LnUkPjq8M/s200/unnamed.jpg" title="Wayne National Forest (Ohio)" width="200" /></a></div>
impacts of oil releases <a href="http://ow.ly/UeuVz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeuVz</a></li>
<li>White House begins final review of proposed ethanol-level rules under the federal renewable fuels mandate <a href="http://ow.ly/Ubrph" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ubrph</a></li>
<li>Refinery designed to make ethanol from cornstalks, leaves and cobs opens in central Iowa <a href="http://ow.ly/UbC0r" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbC0r</a></li>
<li>New Environmental Working Group report urges an end to corn ethanol mandates; use of cellulosic ethanol, other lower-carbon biofuels <a href="http://ow.ly/UbWg2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbWg2</a></li>
<li>Renewable Fuel Standard foes release report on the ethanol mandate's impact on the climate and economy in Ohio <a href="http://ow.ly/Uk9Mm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uk9Mm</a></li>
<li>TransCanada asks the Obama administration to suspend its review of Keystone pipeline project <a href="http://ow.ly/UbG2z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbG2z</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>Obama Won’t Yield to Company’s Bid to Delay Keystone Pipeline Decision <a href="http://ow.ly/Uerzq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uerzq</a></li>
<li>Youngstown, Ohio rejects an anti-fracking ballot measure for a fifth time <a href="http://ow.ly/UeGRw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeGRw</a></li>
<li>New U.S. Senate bill would block further fossil fuel leases on federal lands <a href="http://ow.ly/UeHbV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeHbV</a></li>
<li>Oil and gas companies have formally renewed their interest in drilling for natural gas in a southeastern Ohio national forest <a href="http://ow.ly/UfvIW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UfvIW</a></li>
<li>Murray Energy to close New Era mine near Galatia, Illinois, in next year as reserves run out, sales fall <a href="http://ow.ly/UhJeT" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhJeT</a></li>
<li>Coal industry's swift, steep drop continues in Eastern Kentucky <a href="http://ow.ly/UhRGC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UhRGC</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-138-az9q5Ps/VjiviEKVItI/AAAAAAAAKDQ/gNDthNbEZ8I/s1600/coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-138-az9q5Ps/VjiviEKVItI/AAAAAAAAKDQ/gNDthNbEZ8I/s200/coins.jpg" width="200" /></a>Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">on this Congress.gov web page</a>) </i>-<br />
<ul>
<li>Democrats prepare for another Federal government shutdown showdown over policy riders in December <a href="http://ow.ly/UbxFX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbxFX</a></li>
<li>Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis) does not rule out the House including policy riders in an omnibus appropriations bill <a href="http://ow.ly/UcnDw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UcnDw</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>National League of Cities' 2015 Congress of Cities, Nashville, Tennessee, <b>November 4-7</b> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNOoi2RGDaY/VjtGF1NatoI/AAAAAAAAKEY/4BsbTi1sKhQ/s1600/large-Bison-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="124" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNOoi2RGDaY/VjtGF1NatoI/AAAAAAAAKEY/4BsbTi1sKhQ/s200/large-Bison-photo.jpg" title="National Bison Day - November 7" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666;">National Bison Day - November 7</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://ow.ly/UblAO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UblAO</a></li>
<li>National Bison Day celebration, Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center (Mindenmines, Missouri) 10 AM, <b>November 7</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/Uhikl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uhikl</a></li>
<li>Community-Based Public-Private Partnerships Stormwater Infrastructure Summit, <b>December 7</b>, Philadelphia, PA <a href="http://ow.ly/UbmqC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbmqC</a></li>
<li>National Conference of State Legislatures 2015 Capitol Forum, <b>December 8-11</b>, Washington, D.C. <a href="http://ow.ly/UblZJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UblZJ</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li>e-Newsletter from the Pennsylvania Resources Council <a href="http://ow.ly/UesJD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UesJD</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy November 3 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/Uetfz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uetfz</a></li>
<li>Montana Watershed Coordination Council November 5 <i>Watershed News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/Ui1H4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ui1H4</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) unveils bill to overhaul the Land and Water Conservation Fund, setting up battle with Democrats and conservation groups <a href="http://ow.ly/Uk8Zv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uk8Zv</a> (link to bill <a href="http://ow.ly/Uk9rw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Uk9rw</a>); story here: <a href="http://ow.ly/UkdBw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UkdBw</a></li>
<li>Obama order expands upon no net wetland loss policy; requires agencies to offset environmental impacts of development; called arrogant by GOP <a href="http://ow.ly/UeD9X" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeD9X</a> ( link to memorandum: <a href="http://ow.ly/UeDyK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeDyK</a>)</li>
<li>Illinois advocates warn of municipal utility's coal-ash ponds leaking into Springfield’s groundwater and drinking water supplies <a href="http://ow.ly/UeGwh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeGwh</a></li>
<li>Montana Legislative Audit Division finds railroad crude oil safety in Montana to be lacking during high traffic <a href="http://ow.ly/U2KFv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2KFv</a></li>
<li>Green groups say House transportation bill would eviscerate environmental review, meaningful public input for transportation projects <a href="http://ow.ly/U8gpF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8gpF</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>Environmental groups object to highway funding bill provisions they say erode National Environmental Policy Act protections <a href="http://ow.ly/UexJE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UexJE</a></li>
<li>With strong job prospects and high demand for skilled workers, many University of Minnesota students following ag, environment paths <a href="http://ow.ly/Ubtq1" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ubtq1</a></li>
<li>National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announces availability of $2.1 Million in Urban Waters Grants <a href="http://ow.ly/UfuxY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UfuxY</a></li>
<li>House passes the first long-term highway and transit bill in a decade; House and Senate have two weeks to work out their differences and produce a final bill before current Highway Trust Fund authority expires on November 20 <a href="http://ow.ly/Ui59f" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ui59f</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Mark Hague</b> named as USEPA's regional administrator for Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations) <a href="http://ow.ly/Ukhls" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ukhls</a></li>
<li>Executive board overseeing Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium asks marine <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVkuIZrzajs/VjpLrZ31hII/AAAAAAAAKD8/knerHw0Bwn0/s1600/voting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVkuIZrzajs/VjpLrZ31hII/AAAAAAAAKD8/knerHw0Bwn0/s200/voting.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
laboratory's executive director <b>Nancy Rabalais</b> to step down <a href="http://ow.ly/UeJon" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeJon</a></li>
<li>2016 legislative calendars released by US House and Senate leaders; House: <a href="http://ow.ly/UeAgu" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeAgu</a> Senate: <a href="http://ow.ly/UeAEi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UeAEi</a>; Many of the planned Senate recesses in the early months of 2016 do not align with the House calendar</li>
<li>In upset victory, Republican businessman <b>Matt Bevin</b> upends Democratic hold on Kentucky's Governor's seat <a href="http://ow.ly/UevWO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UevWO</a></li>
<li>Democrat <b>Andy Beshear</b> barely defeated Republican <b>Whitney Westerfield </b>in Kentucky Attorney General's race <a href="http://ow.ly/Ufygt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ufygt</a></li>
<li>USDA scientist says he was punished for publicizing research showing a link between pesticides and pollinator decline <a href="http://ow.ly/U8hj9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U8hj9</a></li>
<li>Ohio Governor sets June 7, 2016 special election to replace former U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH-8) <a href="http://ow.ly/UbnAl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/UbnAl</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bc84FOSuzIk/Vjdcanja2TI/AAAAAAAAKCw/a_EVPtgz8oE/s1600/21d4f003-aa4b-4cec-bc3e-3db07a6bd8eb-2060x1236.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="384" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bc84FOSuzIk/Vjdcanja2TI/AAAAAAAAKCw/a_EVPtgz8oE/s640/21d4f003-aa4b-4cec-bc3e-3db07a6bd8eb-2060x1236.jpeg" title=""Visionary" - Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik. Photograph: Arctic-Images/Corbis" width="640" /></a></div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-45576194808529416222015-11-04T09:30:00.000-05:002015-11-04T09:31:30.481-05:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAhGBzFyK2g/VjHvtGleikI/AAAAAAAAKCM/LnY5d7dbC4o/s1600/B4gkLZ1IYAECpg6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAhGBzFyK2g/VjHvtGleikI/AAAAAAAAKCM/LnY5d7dbC4o/s200/B4gkLZ1IYAECpg6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1140" target="_blank">"Federal Water Quality Protection Act" (S. 1140)</a>, a Senate bill that would overturn the Obama Administration's Clean Water Rule (or "WOTUS" - Waters of the United States - rule), will be considered on the floor of the Senate this week, according to the <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/2015/11/03/schedule-for-tuesday-november-3-2015/#.VjNhlK6rRo4" target="_blank">Senate schedule</a>. The chamber has set aside time to debate the legislation on Tuesday, and at about 2:30 PM, Senators will vote on a motion to limit debate on the measure (called a cloture vote). The bill has 46 co-sponsors (43 Republican and three Democratic), and appears unlikely to gain the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. <br />
<br />
This week, the Senate may also debate and vote on <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/22">S.J.Res.22</a> - a Congressional Review Act (or "CRA") resolution to block the WOTUS rule. The Congressional Review Act of 1996 established expedited congressional procedures for disapproving a broad range of regulatory rules issued by federal agencies. Using the CRA process allows measures to pass the Senate on only a simple majority vote; however, resolution passage is a steep legislative hill to climb, especially in the face of a likely Presidential veto (a two-thirds majority is still required under CRA procedures to override a veto). Only one CRA challenge has ever successfully passed Congress to become law, and most CRA resolutions are used primarily for messaging purposes. For details on how CRA challenges work, you can read this <a href="http://ow.ly/Pxzk7">Congressional Research Service July 29 report</a> on alternatives available to Congress to address the WOTUS rule.<br />
<br />
Below are the U.S. House and Senate committee (and other Capitol Hill) activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources. Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and to appropriate pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern unless otherwise indicated. <b>This information will be updated as warranted. </b><br />
<br />
Monday, November 2<br />
<ul>
<li>Environmental and Energy Study Institute <a href="http://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/110215water" target="_blank">briefing</a>: Farming and Water Quality: Conservation Policies Working to Reduce Nutrient Loss (presenters include representatives of University of Illinois, Ohio Farm Bureau, Illinois farming community, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and American Farmland Trust); 2:00 PM, room 203-02 Capitol Visitor Center (webcast live <a href="http://www.eesi.org/livecast.html" target="_blank">here</a>).</li>
<li>House Rules Committee <a href="https://rules.house.gov/news/announcement/meeting-announcement-senate-amendments-hr-22" target="_blank">meeting</a> to set the framework for House consideration of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/22/text" target="_blank">H.R. 22</a> (the legislative vehicle being used to carry the House's multi-year surface transportation bill to reauthorize and reform federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs); 5:00 PM, room H-313 The Capitol (<i>consideration of bill continued on Tuesday</i>).</li>
</ul>
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</tbody>
</table>
Tuesday, November 3<br />
<ul>
<li>House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Environment <a href="https://science.house.gov/legislation/hearings/subcommittee-oversight-and-subcommittee-environment-hearing-renewable-fuel" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the "Renewable Fuel Standard: A Ten Year Review of Costs and Benefits;" 10:00 AM, room 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law <a href="http://judiciary.house.gov/index.cfm/2015/11/hearing-on-h-r-3438-the-require-evaluation-before-implementing-executive-wishlists-act-of-2015-and-h-r-2631-the-regulatory-predictability-for-business-growth-act-of-2015" target="_blank">hearing</a> on <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3438" target="_blank">H.R. 3438</a>, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists ("REVIEW") Act of 2015; and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2631" target="_blank">H.R. 2631</a>, the Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2015; 10:00 AM, room 2141 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Rules Committee <a href="https://rules.house.gov/news/announcement/meeting-announcement-senate-amendments-hr-22-amendment-consideration" target="_blank">meeting</a> to set the framework for House consideration of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/22/text" target="_blank">H.R. 22</a> (the legislative vehicle being used to carry the House's multi-year surface transportation bill to reauthorize and reform federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs); 3:00 PM, room H-313 The Capitol (assuming the measure is cleared by the Rules Committee on Tuesday, the bill could be considered by the full House sometime later in the week).</li>
</ul>
<div>
Wednesday, November 4<br />
<ul>
<li>House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399544" target="_blank">legislative hearing</a> on two bills, including <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3342" target="_blank">H.R. 3342</a>, to provide for the stability of title to certain lands in the northern Louisiana (including Peggys and Hog Islands, surrounding Lake Bistineau); 10:00 AM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Agriculture Committee <a href="http://agriculture.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=2993" target="_blank">hearing</a> on "American Agriculture and our National Security;" 10:00 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">POSTPONED</span></b> - House Interior Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Interior <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/stream-protection-rule/" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the Department of Interior stream protection rule; 2:00 PM, room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Budget Committee <a href="http://www.budget.senate.gov/republican/public/index.cfm/hearing-schedule?ID=d462b844-6a43-4fb8-9d37-4bca6e46ee49" target="_blank">hearing</a> "to examine reforming the Federal budget process, focusing on a biennial approach to better budgeting;" 10:30 AM, room 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building.<br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="contenttext" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; width: 420px;"><tbody></tbody></table>
</li>
</ul>
Thursday, November 5<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management <a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/rafm/hearings/agency-progress-in-retrospective-review-of-existing-regulations" target="_blank">hearing</a> on "Agency Progress in Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations;" 9:30 AM, room 342, Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Agriculture Committee <a href="http://www.ag.senate.gov/hearings/wildfire-stakeholder-perspectives-on-budgetary-impacts-and-threats-to-natural-resources-on-federal-state-and-private-lands" target="_blank">hearing</a> on "Wildfire: Stakeholder Perspectives on Budgetary Impacts and Threats to Natural Resources on Federal, State and Private Lands;" 10:00 AM, room 328A Russell Senate Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Friday, November 6<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<ul>
<li>House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance <a href="http://financialservices.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399848" target="_blank">field hearing</a> entitled “New Orleans: Ten Years After the Storm;” 12:00 noon (Central Time), New Orleans, Louisiana.</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-89707212573600240112015-10-30T08:50:00.000-04:002015-10-30T11:48:45.935-04:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></b></i></div>
<b><i>CRA Baby CRA</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaFbOf4XhOE/VjHiL1GrrHI/AAAAAAAAKBw/glqdvzqpTnw/s1600/contentid26eb9a412b80632f850f6a7067009f91fmtjpgrolepreviewreldt2015-10-20t195441mediaphotorecordid88bf2f91f5ab437189cfa1016b014a48cloudfrontavailablefalseakamaiavailabletrueitemid88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaFbOf4XhOE/VjHiL1GrrHI/AAAAAAAAKBw/glqdvzqpTnw/s200/contentid26eb9a412b80632f850f6a7067009f91fmtjpgrolepreviewreldt2015-10-20t195441mediaphotorecordid88bf2f91f5ab437189cfa1016b014a48cloudfrontavailablefalseakamaiavailabletrueitemid88.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As early as next week, the Senate may begin debate and vote on <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/22">S.J.Res.22</a> - a Congressional Review Act (or "CRA") resolution to block the Obama Administration's new Clean Water Rule (or "WOTUS" - Waters of the United States - rule). The Congressional Review Act of 1996 established expedited congressional procedures for disapproving a broad range of regulatory rules issued by federal agencies. Using the CRA process allows measures to pass the Senate on only a simple majority vote; however, resolution passage is a steep legislative hill to climb, especially in the face of a likely Presidential veto (a two-thirds majority is still required under CRA procedures to override a veto). Only one CRA challenge has ever successfully passed Congress to become law, and most CRA resolutions are used primarily for messaging purposes.<br />
<br />
Officially called "A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of 'waters of the United States' under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act," <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/22">S.J.Res.22</a> is backed by 48 Republican senators in addition to the resolution's sponsor, Iowa GOP Senator Joni Ernst. Sen. Ernst circulated a discharge petition and secured enough votes to allow the resolution to move quickly to the Senate floor without first going through committee.<br />
<br />
On July 7, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska) filed a House CRA challenge to vacate the Clean Water Rule: <a href="http://ow.ly/PxyVx" target="_blank">H. J. Res. 59</a>. That resolution has yet to be referred by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to the full House for consideration.<br />
<br />
For details on how CRA challenges work, you can read this <a href="http://ow.ly/Pxzk7">Congressional Research Service July 29 report</a> on alternatives available to Congress to address the WOTUS rule.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, debate is set to begin in the Senate next week on Senator John Barrasso's (R-WY) bill to block the WOTUS rule (see below, under "Next Week in Congress").<br />
<div>
<br />
<b><i>Let's Make a Deal</i></b><br />
The White House and Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle struck a long-term budget deal earlier this week that would lift the debt ceiling, fund the federal government, and reverse some of the defense and non-defense discretionary spending cuts made as part of the 2011 sequestration deal. The unusually long-term budget plan sets funding levels for the government for two fiscal years, well beyond the next general election, demonstrates the enduring strength of congressional leaders over conservative would-be upstarts, and makes the somewhat unprecedented moves of altering copr insurance, Medicare and Social Security to offset increased spending. The House passed the measure (<a href="http://ow.ly/TZb87" target="_blank">H.R. 1314</a>) on Wednesday, and the Senate passed the bill early on Friday morning, sending it on to the President for his signature.<br />
<br />
The bill includes a provision capping rates of return for government-backed crop insurance policies at 8.9 percent, as opposed to the current 14 percent rate. However, the proposed change drew the immediate ire of farm state lawmakers and agricultural interest groups. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway struck a deal with Republican leaders shortly before Wednesday's House vote on the budget bill that Conaway says will result in the cuts being removed at some point down the road. For now, the crop insurance cut provision remains in the bill, however, and it is unclear how the cuts would actually be restored.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7CXIv8c188/VjCeIgU30yI/AAAAAAAAKBU/mx-uR2_IjT8/s1600/562f83717a7ab.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7CXIv8c188/VjCeIgU30yI/AAAAAAAAKBU/mx-uR2_IjT8/s200/562f83717a7ab.image.jpg" width="200" /></a>The agreed-upon budget numbers in the plan represent totals for federal spending. Congress will still need to debate and pass appropriation bills by December 11 to implement spending at those target levels (the twelve individual bills may be combined into one or more omnibus or "minibus" spending packages). While this week's budget agreement was free of contentious amendments (or "riders") impacting policy, during the upcoming spending bill debates, the subject of policy riders attached to those bills is sure to arise.<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
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<div>
The budget agreement was a parting gift from outgoing House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for his successor, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), who was nominated for that role on Wednesday (the full House formally votes on Thursday), and can now focus on passing other key pieces of legislation, including the spending bills mentioned above and a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill. The House passed a 22-day short-term transportation extension on Tuesday. The Senate did the same on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Next Week in Congress</b></i><br />
The <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1140" target="_blank">"Federal Water Quality Protection Act" (S. 1140)</a>, a Senate bill that would overturn the Obama Administration's Clean Water Rule, will be considered on the floor of the Senate next week, according to the bill's chief sponsor, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and the <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/2015/11/03/schedule-for-tuesday-november-3-2015/#.VjNhlK6rRo4" target="_blank">Senate schedule</a> for Tuesday. In a Thursday <a href="http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=04d71f1f-a9f1-424e-876c-fa2fa0aaeee6" target="_blank">statement</a>, Barrasso announced, "the Senate has the opportunity now to take up the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, a strong bipartisan bill that will direct the Environmental Protection Agency to write a reasonable rule to protect our navigable waterways." The Senate has <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/2015/11/03/schedule-for-tuesday-november-3-2015/#.VjNhlK6rRo4" target="_blank">set aside time</a> to debate the legislation on Tuesday, and at about 2:30 PM the chamber will vote on whether to limit debate on the measure (called a cloture vote). The bill has 46 co-sponsors (43 Republican and three Democratic), and is unlikely to gain the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In addition to the debate and possible vote on S. 1140, there are several Congressional committee meetings and hearings that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources set for next week. <a href="http://nemwuppermiss.blogspot.com/2015/10/capitol-hill-next-week-what-to-watch-for_29.html" target="_blank">Here is a summary</a> at what is already on tap for next week (the list will be updated as needed).</div>
<ol class="ol1">
</ol>
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
<br />
Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>Pennsylvania Coal Alliance CEO: Pennsylvania shouldn't rush into embracing Clean Water Rule (WOTUS) <a href="http://ow.ly/TQkO7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQkO7</a></li>
<li>Vote set in Senate next week for Sen. Barrasso's WOTUS rule-blocking bill; Barrasso press release: <a href="http://ow.ly/U28xj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U28xj</a> (link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/U28Cf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U28Cf</a>)</li>
<li>House Oversight and Government Reform Committee expands investigation into Obama administration's clean water rule <a href="http://ow.ly/U2gAq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2gAq</a></li>
<li>Pennsylvania announces $51.7 million investment for ten drinking water, wastewater and non-point source projects (several in Ohio River Basin) <a href="http://ow.ly/TQbrD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQbrD</a></li>
<li>National Mining Association-sponsored report: Interior Department's proposed stream protection rule could cost U.S. economy over 200,000 jobs <a href="http://ow.ly/TRlxo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRlxo</a></li>
<li>New stream-protection rule to protect waterways from surface coal mining meets with stiff Senate Republican resistance at Tuesday hearing <a href="http://ow.ly/TZwLk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZwLk</a></li>
<li>Scientists have found pharmaceuticals, other chemicals in Minnesota lakes; genetic testing helps determine risks <a href="http://ow.ly/TTdoW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTdoW</a></li>
<li>Draft revision of Missouri’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan is available for public review and comment <a href="http://ow.ly/TTe5T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTe5T</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/TTdJi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTdJi</a></li>
<li>State DNR takes steps to restore more Wisconsin waterways <a href="http://ow.ly/TUO8f" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TUO8f</a></li>
<li>After years of spills, N.D. still deciding how to handle pipeline leaks <a href="http://ow.ly/TZvWg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZvWg</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bViVbNnJVak/VjCOLeh8p_I/AAAAAAAAKBE/Iuj0Tcgf72s/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bViVbNnJVak/VjCOLeh8p_I/AAAAAAAAKBE/Iuj0Tcgf72s/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a>Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>Troubling trend: the funneling of interstate water fights to the Supreme Court <a href="http://ow.ly/U2f3q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2f3q</a> (example cases cited: Montana and Wyoming, Mississippi and Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas)</li>
<li>Army Corps Missouri River fall public meetings focus on draft Annual Operating Plan (comments due November 20) <a href="http://ow.ly/TQikK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQikK</a></li>
<li>Justice Dept. appeals $3 billion Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet restoration ruling against the Army Corps of Engineers <a href="http://ow.ly/TW4wZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW4wZ</a></li>
<li>Tulsa County Commissioner proposes reconstructing Arkansas River levees in the Tulsa region <a href="http://ow.ly/TWerY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWerY</a></li>
<li>Bellevue City and Sarpy County to contribute money toward $25 million Missouri River levee repairs (Nebraska) <a href="http://ow.ly/TWeXG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWeXG</a></li>
<li>Biennial Governor’s Conference on the Management of the Illinois River System looks at pressing River issues <a href="http://ow.ly/TWfHU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWfHU</a></li>
<li>Increased demand threatens aquifer water supplies in northeastern Illinois (Fox River Basin) <a href="http://ow.ly/TXzpb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXzpb</a></li>
<li>New Natural Resources Defense Council report calls on Chicago region to assess the state of its inland waterway system <a href="http://ow.ly/TXDiV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXDiV</a></li>
<li>Grain barge shipments from Upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers drop 21% to 39% below the 5-year average <a href="http://ow.ly/U2aaI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2aaI</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>North Iowa farmer among a dozen honored by the White House for efforts to use sustainable <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BH3mjPItUZ0/VjHkoV6j9NI/AAAAAAAAKB8/F9t8d9eWZsM/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BH3mjPItUZ0/VjHkoV6j9NI/AAAAAAAAKB8/F9t8d9eWZsM/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
agriculture <a href="http://ow.ly/TQdLD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQdLD</a> (more also see this White House page: <a href="http://ow.ly/TQebM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQebM</a>)</li>
<li>Administration announces new efforts to promote sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices across the country <a href="http://ow.ly/TW9uJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW9uJ</a></li>
<li>Senate Agriculture ranking member Debbie Stabenow calls for support of 2014 farm bill conservation and energy programs as appropriators steadily cut them <a href="http://ow.ly/TTcsy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTcsy</a></li>
<li>House Agriculture Committee examines Big Data and its role in agriculture <a href="http://ow.ly/TXzSp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXzSp</a></li>
<li>House Agriculture Chairman: Senate leadership commits to bipartisan fix to restore cuts to crop insurance in budget bill <a href="http://ow.ly/U2awR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2awR</a></li>
</ul>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA weekly drought update: some introduction or expansion of dryness and moderate drought in Plains, Missouri; drought relief in southern Mississippi River Valley, Oklahoma <a href="http://ow.ly/U2n86" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2n86</a></li>
<li>NOAA Climate Prediction Center monthly drought outlook <a href="http://ow.ly/SQXLJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/SQXLJ</a> (<i>will be released on Saturday afternoon, October 31</i>)</li>
<li>Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) seeks emails of NOAA scientists who published study undercutting popular climate denier talking point <a href="http://ow.ly/TQoaH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQoaH</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>NOAA refuses to release scientists' climate email communications to Congressional Republican whose critics say is conducting a "fishing expedition" <a href="http://ow.ly/TXCEr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXCEr</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>Minnesota DNR loses fight against zebra mussels in Christmas Lake (Twin Cities area) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cM939pnSxSY/VjNfCeBaZbI/AAAAAAAAKCc/xzn8nGWFdT0/s1600/ows_144614469167103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cM939pnSxSY/VjNfCeBaZbI/AAAAAAAAKCc/xzn8nGWFdT0/s320/ows_144614469167103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://ow.ly/TQj13" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQj13</a></li>
<li>Invasive zebra mussels discovered in Madison's Lake Mendota <a href="http://ow.ly/TQll8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQll8</a></li>
<li>Thousands of threatened bats living under a Mississippi River bridge that's due to be torn down will be relocated <a href="http://ow.ly/TQjiG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQjiG</a></li>
<li>USDA releases Grant and Partnership Programs that Can Address Invasive Species (FY 2016) <a href="http://ow.ly/TQnpA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQnpA</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups demand answers on agencies' cooling water rule reversal regarding endangered species <a href="http://ow.ly/TRkWq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRkWq</a></li>
<li>Center for Biological Diversity intends to sue U.S. EPA over approval of fungicide benzovindiflupyr (approved for use on some crops) and its toxicity to aquatic life <a href="http://ow.ly/TW7j2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW7j2</a></li>
<li>Fish and Wildlife Service will finalize rule opening all of Wyoming up to low-risk reintroductions of black-footed ferrets; FWS statement <a href="http://ow.ly/U2bjP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2bjP</a> and news story <a href="http://ow.ly/U2b2Z" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2b2Z</a> (<i>Federal Register</i> notice <a href="http://ow.ly/U2js7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2js7</a>)</li>
<li>Scientists track Minnesota's loons' migration to Gulf of Mexico; revealing effects of 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill <a href="http://ow.ly/U2jQM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2jQM</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li>National Geographic to visit Mississippi River cities to find places of interest <a href="http://ow.ly/TWfo0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWfo0</a> (also see: National Geographic representatives discuss plans in St. Cloud to build the tourism brand along Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/TZjT2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZjT2</a>)</li>
<li><b>Stillwater</b> named Minnesota’s ‘most picturesque’ small town in USA Today list <a href="http://ow.ly/TWgTR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWgTR</a></li>
<li>Mayors to 2016 Presidential candidates: We need “grown-up conversations” about infrastructure, water and climate (<b>Minneapolis</b> and <b>Nashville</b> mayors quoted) <a href="http://ow.ly/TXBow" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXBow</a></li>
<li><b>New Orleans</b> transit agency receives $10+ million grant to develop a new Canal Street ferry terminal <a href="http://ow.ly/TZjfM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZjfM</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/TZjjC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZjjC</a></li>
<li>Port of Indiana-<b>Jeffersonville</b> (Ohio River) awarded $10 million TIGER grant for Rail-to-Water and Truck-to-Rail Improvement Project <a href="http://ow.ly/U2cV3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2cV3</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: Relationship with states never better <a href="http://bit.ly/2041mc6" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2041mc6</a></li>
<li>Impacts of oil boom on <b>Minnesota</b> focus of Legislative Energy Commission hearing <a href="http://ow.ly/TZ6lm" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZ6lm</a> (<i>related story, below, under Resource Development</i>)</li>
<li>Inside the <b>Illinois</b> budget face-off <a href="http://ow.ly/U09iL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U09iL</a></li>
<li><b>Oklahoma</b> Governor orders agencies to prepare for major cuts <a href="http://ow.ly/TX3gF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TX3gF</a></li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>House passes bill to make it easier to block regulations, policies <a href="http://ow.ly/TQk93" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQk93</a> (link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/TQkcp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQkcp</a>)</li>
<li><b>Pennsylvania’s</b> budget woes deepen as stalemate continues <a href="http://ow.ly/TRhCk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRhCk</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA announces FY 2016 National Competitive Hypoxia funding programs: Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment Program and Coastal Hypoxia Research Program <a href="http://ow.ly/TRjWZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRjWZ</a></li>
<li>Louisiana and four other Gulf Coast states settle with Transocean for role in BP Deepwater Horizon disaster <a href="http://ow.ly/TZx23" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZx23</a></li>
<li>Lafourche Parish oil spill money to go to five coastal restoration projects <a href="http://ow.ly/U24TA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U24TA</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>American chestnuts rise on Pennsylvania coal strip mine sites where other trees failed to make a stand <a href="http://ow.ly/TRh7j" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRh7j</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m1uC2eLK_k/Vi4u_A9GZgI/AAAAAAAAKAo/tle6AJBSLDQ/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_m1uC2eLK_k/Vi4u_A9GZgI/AAAAAAAAKAo/tle6AJBSLDQ/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Locals appear unconcerned about strip mining for coal returning to Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Ohio <a href="http://ow.ly/TQnPk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQnPk</a></li>
<li>Boone County (Iowa) board of supervisors votes unanimously to oppose Bakken Pipeline project <a href="http://ow.ly/TQrIO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQrIO</a></li>
<li>Pennsylvania regulators are one major step closer to implementing new rules for oil and natural gas drilling in the state <a href="http://ow.ly/TW5VW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW5VW</a></li>
<li>President of West Virginia’s largest electric utility: Coal consumption not likely to increase <a href="http://ow.ly/TWzRt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWzRt</a></li>
<li>N.D. oil slump affects Minnesota sand mining, rail shipping <a href="http://ow.ly/TZjyG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZjyG</a></li>
<li>Southern Kansas sees sudden spike in earthquakes <a href="http://ow.ly/TWzdk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWzdk</a></li>
<li>Oil and gas industry restrictions to decrease frequency and intensity of earthquakes in south-central Kansas will remain in place until at least March 2016 <a href="http://ow.ly/U2kfv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2kfv</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget (<i>You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a></i>) -<br />
<ul>
<li>House passes sweeping budget bill; Senate vote up next <a href="http://ow.ly/TZaHp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZaHp</a> (Link to bill: <a href="http://ow.ly/TZb87" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZb87</a>)</li>
<li>Senate passes two-year budget deal that raises the debt ceiling, sending the agreement to President Obama <a href="http://ow.ly/U24xH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U24xH</a></li>
<li>President and Congressional Democrats will stand firm against efforts to target environmental regulations in spending bills <a href="http://ow.ly/TWxsz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWxsz</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a></i>)<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA State Level Nutrient Reduction Strategies webcast: Understanding Farmers’ Awareness, Attitudes and Practices related to Nutrient Management in Indiana,<b> November 4</b>, 10 AM CT <a href="http://ow.ly/TRg9F" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRg9F</a></li>
<li>Missouri DNR Water Protection Forum meeting; <b>November 12</b>, 9 AM-noon CT, Jefferson City <a href="http://ow.ly/TW7Iw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW7Iw</a></li>
<li>USEPA Safe and Sustainable Water Resources BOSC Subcommittee teleconference (open to public); <b>November 13</b>, noon-2 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/TW53O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW53O</a></li>
<li></li>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways Users Board meeting; 9 AM-1 PM, <b>December 2</b>; St. Charles, Missouri <a href="http://ow.ly/U2hpF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U2hpF</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li>National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Fall 2015 Education Newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/TRj5V" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TRj5V</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy October 27 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/TUNok" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TUNok</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <i>Watershed Connections</i> - October <a href="http://ow.ly/TW8vf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TW8vf</a></li>
<li>Association of State Floodplain Managers October "<i>News and Views</i>" e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/U0PtW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U0PtW</a></li>
<li>Gulf Restoration Network's October 29 <i>Gulf Waves </i>e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/U29P7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U29P7</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnDcuIHu-rs/Vi9fJ24qSuI/AAAAAAAAKA4/K-Lk6_MzjLQ/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnDcuIHu-rs/Vi9fJ24qSuI/AAAAAAAAKA4/K-Lk6_MzjLQ/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a>Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate standoff between vote on TSCA-reform bill and Land and Water Conservation Act reauthorization called "absurd" <a href="http://ow.ly/TZwrN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TZwrN</a></li>
<li>Dog named Trigger accidentally shoots owner during hunt in Indiana's Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area <a href="http://ow.ly/TTleM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTleM</a> (Trigger unharmed)</li>
<li>Citing an "out of control" regulatory system, senators create new, bipartisan Senate Regulations Caucus <a href="http://ow.ly/TUPfL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TUPfL</a></li>
<li>TNC North America Agriculture Nutrient Strategy Director job posting <a href="http://ow.ly/TUQOa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TUQOa</a></li>
<li>Brookings Profiles in Negotiation series: how battles over the U.S. agriculture budget were waged for years in Congress <a href="http://ow.ly/TXytE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TXytE</a></li>
<li>Pew Charitable Trust: States coordinate, challenge feds on public land use <a href="http://ow.ly/U08TR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U08TR</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Ken Kopocis</b>, the top official in U.S. EPA's water office, will step down in November; <b>Joel Beauvais</b> will serve as acting deputy assistant administrator <a href="http://ow.ly/TTnsI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TTnsI</a></li>
<li>House members elect Rep. <b>Paul Ryan</b> (R-Wisc.) as the 54th Speaker of the House <a href="http://ow.ly/U08ut" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U08ut</a></li>
<li>Democrat <b>John Bel Edwards</b> will face off against Republican U.S. Sen. <b>David Vitter</b> in a Nov. 21 runoff for Louisiana Governor <a href="http://ow.ly/TQ2xa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQ2xa</a></li>
<li>Moderate GOP senators form green coalition, including <b>Lamar Alexander</b> (Tenn.), <b>Mark Kirk</b> (Ill.) <a href="http://ow.ly/U292C" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/U292C</a></li>
<li>U.S. Chamber of Commerce President criticizes ideologues in both parties for pushing leaders to political extremes <a href="http://ow.ly/TQeIi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TQeIi</a></li>
<li>Op-ed: House Science Committee pursues open-ended, Orwellian attempts to intimidate scientists <a href="http://ow.ly/TWavk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TWavk</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your (Halloween) Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SZtB1azI2U/Vi4TuyTzGnI/AAAAAAAAKAY/6eGBMkiSxc8/s1600/20151018_210040_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SZtB1azI2U/Vi4TuyTzGnI/AAAAAAAAKAY/6eGBMkiSxc8/s640/20151018_210040_HDR-01.jpeg" title="Original painting with alcohol inks by Carol Hays, Executive Director, Prairie Rivers Network" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">"Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore.'"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-37436175783769332192015-10-30T07:30:00.001-04:002015-10-30T07:30:59.016-04:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For (UPDATED)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8VKNzecyeI/ViTUSg9UHEI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/slQMuG88_ek/s1600/capitol%2Bdome.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8VKNzecyeI/ViTUSg9UHEI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/slQMuG88_ek/s200/capitol%2Bdome.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin natural resources. Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and appropriate pieces of legislation. In addition to the committee action, we can expect that Congress will pass yet another short-term surface transportation funding extension, since the current surface transportation authorization expires at midnight on Thursday. The last in a long-running series of temporary extensions was passed in July, and Congress has been struggling to come up with a way to pay for a long term (three or six year) infrastructure funding extension since then. Projects funded under that authority of interest to River stakeholders include pedestrian and bicycle trails, and scenic byways near streams and rivers. <br />
<br />
Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as warranted. </b><br />
<br />
Tuesday, October 27<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">TIME CHANGE:</span> Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-and-business-meetings?ID=982dcc04-a80a-4055-8e87-a59cef3bac83" target="_blank">hearing</a> "on the development and potential implementation of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement’s proposed Stream Protection Rule" (Interior Department); <span style="color: red;">9:00 AM</span>, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, October 28<br />
<ul>
<li>House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399490" target="_blank">hearing</a> on the <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/flrea_modernization_discussion_draft.pdf" target="_blank">Discussion Draft</a> of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2015 (Program dictates where, when and how federal lands agencies can charge fees for the use of national parks and forests, refuges and other public lands); 10:00 AM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Agriculture Committee <a href="http://agriculture.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=2971">hearing</a> on "Big Data and Agriculture: Innovation and Implications;" 10:00 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">NEW</span></b> - House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/markup/environment-and-economy-subcommittee-markup-s-611" target="_blank">meeting to markup</a> <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/611" target="_blank">S. 611</a>, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act; 12:00 noon, room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399482">hearing</a> on three bills, including <a href="https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr1219/BILLS-114hr1219ih.xml" target="_blank">H.R. 1219</a> (the "Arbuckle Project Maintenance Complex and District Office Conveyance Act"), to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey land and appurtenances of the Arbuckle Project, Oklahoma, to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District" (the Arbuckle (dam) Project regulates flow of Rock Creek, a tributary of the Washita River in south-central Oklahoma); 2:30 PM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Thursday, October 29</div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">POSTPONED</span></b> - House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law <a href="http://judiciary.house.gov/index.cfm/hearings?ID=EEE32235-37F1-44A9-BB12-B827B50B9551" target="_blank">hearing</a> on three regulatory reform bills: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3438" target="_blank">H.R. 3438</a>, the “Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2015” (would give businesses and stakeholders "adequate notice" when agencies decide to change their rules); <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/348" target="_blank">H.R. 348</a>, the "Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015" (would expedite National Environmental Policy Act reviews of proposed energy and infrastructure projects by instituting time deadlines for their reviews); and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2631" target="_blank">H.R. 2631</a>, the “Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2015” (would bar laws from taking effect until after a judicial review); 9:00 AM, room 2141 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-10560931266773432452015-10-29T05:06:00.000-04:002015-10-29T05:35:42.728-04:00Senate Republicans Plan Use of Congressional Review Act Procedure to Deliver WOTUS Rule Message<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfPTXP1ge2Q/VjHhRP1AKKI/AAAAAAAAKBk/pntWdDL2WEs/s1600/contentid26eb9a412b80632f850f6a7067009f91fmtjpgrolepreviewreldt2015-10-20t195441mediaphotorecordid88bf2f91f5ab437189cfa1016b014a48cloudfrontavailablefalseakamaiavailabletrueitemid88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfPTXP1ge2Q/VjHhRP1AKKI/AAAAAAAAKBk/pntWdDL2WEs/s200/contentid26eb9a412b80632f850f6a7067009f91fmtjpgrolepreviewreldt2015-10-20t195441mediaphotorecordid88bf2f91f5ab437189cfa1016b014a48cloudfrontavailablefalseakamaiavailabletrueitemid88.jpg" width="200" /></a>Republican Senate aides are hinting that the full Senate could vote sometime within the next two weeks on <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/22">S.J.Res.22</a>, a Congressional Review Act (or "CRA") resolution designed to block the Obama Administration's new Clean Water Rule (or "WOTUS" - Waters of the United States - rule). The Congressional Review Act of 1996 established special congressional procedures for disapproving a broad range of regulatory rules issued by federal agencies. Using the CRA process allows measures to pass the Senate on only a simple majority vote; however, resolution passage is a steep legislative hill to climb, especially in the face of a likely Presidential veto (a two-thirds majority is still required under CRA procedures to override a veto). Only one CRA challenge has ever successfully passed Congress to become law, and most CRA resolutions are used more for messaging purposes than anything else.<br />
<br />
Officially called "A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the definition of 'waters of the United States' under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act," <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/22">S.J.Res.22</a> is backed by 48 Republican senators in addition to the resolution's sponsor, Iowa GOP Senator Joni Ernst. Sen. Ernst is <a href="https://plus.google.com/101473675488333674529/posts/YzZguP4wZLc" target="_blank">reported</a> to have circulated a discharge petition and secured enough votes to allow the resolution to move directly to the Senate floor without first going through committee.<br />
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On July 7, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska) filed a House CRA challenge to vacate the Clean Water Rule: <a href="http://ow.ly/PxyVx">H. J. Res. 59</a>. That resolution has yet to be referred by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to the full House for consideration.<br />
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For details on how CRA challenges work, you can read this <a href="http://ow.ly/Pxzk7">Congressional Research Service July 29 report</a> on alternatives available to Congress to address the WOTUS rule issue.Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-85084344666643071892015-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:002015-10-23T10:42:36.883-04:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></b></i></div>
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<b><i>This Week and Next</i></b><br />
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSAfldZyE0U/ViocpqeHJxI/AAAAAAAAKAI/k145RPRt8vg/s1600/capitol%2Bdome.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSAfldZyE0U/ViocpqeHJxI/AAAAAAAAKAI/k145RPRt8vg/s200/capitol%2Bdome.jpeg" width="200" /></a>In the U.S. Senate this week, the largely bipartisan-backed overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act remained stalled over Sen. Richard Burr's demand for a vote on his amendment to reauthorize the (also largely popular) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Unless Burr receives unanimous consent to bring up his LWCF amendment, he will not agree to a motion for unanimous consent to bring up the TSCA bill. To complicate the matter further, Utah Sen. Mike Lee will not let the LWCF amendment go to a vote, as he seeks to amend the law before it goes to a floor vote. LWCF authority expired on September 30, although this week, the U.S. Treasury Department confirmed that the Fund currently has a $20 billion balance. The LWCF supports the protection of federal public lands and waters and voluntary conservation on private land.</div>
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The U.S. House passed legislation on Thursday that would significantly streamline the processing of mining permits on federal lands. <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1937">H.R. 1937</a> was passed on a 254-177 vote. The bill would ease environmental review requirements for mineral production activities, including the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, and it would limit courts' ability to provide redress. The measure defines minerals broadly as those necessary for national defense and security; for energy infrastructure, including pipelines, refining capacity, electrical power generation and transmission, and renewable energy production; and to support domestic manufacturing, agriculture, housing, telecommunications, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. Eight Democrats, including the Mississippi River Basin's Reps. Rick Nolan and Collin Peterson of Minnesota joined Republicans in voting for the bill.</div>
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The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put parties on notice this week that it will hold oral arguments on December 8 in Cincinnati on whether it will review appeals of the Obama administration's Clean Water Rule ("Waters of the United States" or "WOTUS" rule) or if the matter should be remanded to a district court. Earlier this month, the 6th Circuit ruled in favor of a multiple states' appeal requesting that the WOTUS rule be stayed from going into effect nationwide. However, the 6th Circuit's stay in the rule's implementation will last until the court determines if the Clean Water Act gives it authority over the rule or if the states' appeal must be remanded to a district court. As noted previously here, since the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is also currently considering the same jurisdictional issue, should the decisions of the 6th and 11th circuits differ, jurisdiction could be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.</div>
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This week, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) formally declared his bid for Speaker of the House after most GOP conservatives and moderates declared their support. The announcement clears the way for Ryan to take the Speaker's gavel in hand after a vote next Wednesday. Also next week on Capitol Hill: there are a few committee hearings already scheduled that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources, and you can see the list <a href="http://ow.ly/TKW0Z" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week</i></b><br />
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Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li>6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hold oral arguments on December 8 in Cincinnati on whether it will review appeals of Obama administration's Clean Water Rule (WOTUS) or send appeal to district court; article: <a href="http://ow.ly/TImfp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TImfp</a> and court notice: <a href="http://ow.ly/TIlEZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIlEZ</a></li>
<li>Advocates ask U.S. EPA to strip Wisconsin DNR of its administration of major water pollution program in absence of progress <a href="http://ow.ly/TFC15" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFC15</a></li>
<li>USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack: Iowans need to place more emphasis on and allocate more <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZILuYqAXDL8/VieETFHff8I/AAAAAAAAJ_Q/iTWFYnMsQk4/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZILuYqAXDL8/VieETFHff8I/AAAAAAAAJ_Q/iTWFYnMsQk4/s200/unnamed.jpg" title="Algae coats rocks on the banks of the Ohio River overlooking downtown Cincinnati." width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666;">AP Photo/John Minchillo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
money to reducing nutrient pollution <a href="http://ow.ly/TzT7c" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzT7c</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack met with local and state leaders in La Porte City, Iowa, on Friday to "discuss an innovative project designed to reduce nitrates in the Cedar Rapids water supply" <a href="http://ow.ly/TzTGX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzTGX</a> (the subject Middle Cedar Partnership Project is an NRCS RCPP project; <a href="http://ow.ly/TucVG">described here</a>)</li>
<li>USDA is investing up to $225 million for a second wave of Regional Conservation Partnership Program projects (165 groups invited to submit full proposals by November 10) <a href="http://ow.ly/TuD74" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TuD74</a></li>
<li>Ohio River's huge algae bloom a warning for water suppliers <a href="http://ow.ly/TFzCt" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFzCt</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups and a Louisiana shipping company agree on plan to reduce coal and petroleum coke debris dumps into the Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/TuNYv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TuNYv</a></li>
<li>North Dakota developing cleanup plan for abandoned oil development waste pit threatening the Little Missouri River <a href="http://ow.ly/TzRTS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzRTS</a></li>
<li>USEPA Request for Scientific Views: Draft Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criterion for Selenium (Freshwater) <a href="http://ow.ly/TCvXh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCvXh</a></li>
<li>North Dakota oil well spewing after weekend blowout; endangering tributary of the Missouri River <a href="http://ow.ly/TCE9c" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCE9c</a> (<i>related stories below</i>)</li>
<li>Workers cap ND oil and brine spill after three days, although its size and impact on White Earth River are uncertain <a href="http://ow.ly/TImBJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TImBJ</a></li>
<li>And here is more coverage of the above and another recent North Dakota oil and brine spill (ND DOH media releases): <a href="http://ow.ly/TCxFl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCxFl</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/TCxHv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCxHv</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin waterways have improved significantly under the Clean Water Act <a href="http://ow.ly/TFxox" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFxox</a></li>
<li>EPA publishes final rule requiring electronic reporting and sharing of Clean Water Act NPDES program information <a href="http://ow.ly/TIevG" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIevG</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin DNR accepting comments on proposed multi-discharger phosphorus variance (statewide phosphorus variance) <a href="http://ow.ly/TL4dN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL4dN</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YNPIyKfCKc/ViTrIXuhrJI/AAAAAAAAJ-4/T7oPfWbLQ2s/s1600/pipeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YNPIyKfCKc/ViTrIXuhrJI/AAAAAAAAJ-4/T7oPfWbLQ2s/s200/pipeline.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><i>Washington Post</i>: "We’re totally mismanaging the Mississippi River basin — and it’s costing us" <a href="http://ow.ly/Twj8F" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Twj8F</a></li>
<li>Research to study how changes in the Mississippi River can impact the Gulf of Mexico <a href="http://ow.ly/TL1rS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL1rS</a></li>
<li>FEMA: Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input <a href="http://ow.ly/TIeJ4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIeJ4</a></li>
<li>Wetlands being rebuilt by redistributing River sediment in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana via privately funded project <a href="http://ow.ly/TwjeH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TwjeH</a></li>
<li>Iowa group wants Corps of Engineers to be more stringent when considering permit applications for Dakota Access pipeline where it passes over waterways <a href="http://ow.ly/TzQGA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzQGA</a></li>
<li>Hydropower industry group encourages Congress to move forward with bills to speed permitting process for new projects <a href="http://ow.ly/TCwNz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCwNz</a></li>
<li>North Dakota state engineer to end a program allowing farmers to sell their irrigation water for fracking <a href="http://ow.ly/TFDAg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFDAg</a></li>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers proposes changes in levels of service at Locks and Dams on the Ouachita and Black Rivers <a href="http://ow.ly/TIe8y" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIe8y</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsin's wetlands are state treasures for several reasons, according to wetland advocates <a href="http://ow.ly/TIrJ3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIrJ3</a></li>
<li>Historic Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority moves 2 Mississippi River sediment diversions toward construction <a href="http://ow.ly/TIs64" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIs64</a></li>
<li>Missouri Department of Natural Resources Public Notice of Proposed 2016 303(d) List (impaired waters) and 2018 Listing Methodology <a href="http://ow.ly/TIsLK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIsLK</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vui-ANmAGg/ViTQW6WhyVI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/VbaKQvRZhCE/s1600/crops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vui-ANmAGg/ViTQW6WhyVI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/VbaKQvRZhCE/s200/crops.jpg" width="150" /></a>Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>Nebraska Public Radio: interest grows in environmental markets that allow farmers to profit from conservation practices <a href="http://ow.ly/TzBHi" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzBHi</a></li>
<li><i>Des Moines Register</i> op-ed: More should be done to help farmers transition to organic production <a href="http://ow.ly/TA50A" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TA50A</a></li>
<li>Illinois farmer Howard Buffett uses cover crops, no-till planting, other practices to improve soil health and water quality, offset climate change <a href="http://ow.ly/TCFxW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCFxW</a></li>
<li>Ohio State University soil specialist seeks farmers for a study on if natural gas pipelines impact crop production <a href="http://ow.ly/TtVpz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtVpz</a></li>
<li>Reuters: Lawsuits are piling up against Monsanto over Roundup ingredient glyphosate cancer concerns <a href="http://reut.rs/1PkNkPu" target="_blank">http://reut.rs/1PkNkPu</a></li>
<li>Weed control research, soil health and fertility, and coping with water management top organic producer concerns <a href="http://ow.ly/TzvRX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzvRX</a></li>
<li>New online database aims to shed light on deals involving large purchases of farmland globally <a href="http://ow.ly/TFBqD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFBqD</a></li>
<li>USDA release: USDA Invests in New Market Opportunities in Local and Regional Food Systems <a href="http://ow.ly/TIo0S" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIo0S</a></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtQ7PIHjSZc/VijzulNHCcI/AAAAAAAAJ_w/nGGZLKuh0ZA/s1600/20151020_usdm_home.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtQ7PIHjSZc/VijzulNHCcI/AAAAAAAAJ_w/nGGZLKuh0ZA/s200/20151020_usdm_home.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA weekly US drought update: minor expansion of northern and central Plains drought and dryness; rapid expansion of dryness and drought in parts of Midwest; significant drought impacts to area stretching from southern Oklahoma and central and eastern Texas to the Mississippi Delta <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>Commercial and private fishing in Montana are vulnerable to the effects of climate change <a href="http://ow.ly/TzOfA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzOfA</a></li>
<li>Study: Climate change adding billions to U.S. hurricane costs <a href="http://usat.ly/1PD6LlN" target="_blank">http://usat.ly/1PD6LlN</a></li>
<li>Hottest global September on record marks fifth straight month to break its temperature record this year <a href="http://ow.ly/TIk5T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIk5T</a></li>
<li>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association: 2015 likely to be hottest on record, breaking record set in 2014 <a href="http://ow.ly/TIqmS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIqmS</a></li>
<li>Indiana scientists write to Governor, the legislature and state officials offering to teach them climate change fundamentals <a href="http://ow.ly/TIGQg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIGQg</a></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TR0Wib9-M10/ViEmWXWAX6I/AAAAAAAAJ94/MQVXIpH44Lw/s1600/CarpMap101515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TR0Wib9-M10/ViEmWXWAX6I/AAAAAAAAJ94/MQVXIpH44Lw/s200/CarpMap101515.jpg" title="Map showing the presence of Bighead and Silver Carp in Illinois Waterways" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666;">Source: USFWS</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>US Fish and Wildlife Service releases results of studies on small fish movement (including Asian carp) and barge traffic <a href="http://ow.ly/Tuz4M" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tuz4M</a> The results indicate that small fish can become entrained between barges and subsequently transported measurable distances, through a lock and dam system, and across electrical barriers. (<i>see map to the right</i>)</li>
<li>Wyoming Stock Growers Association files lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming in Cheyenne to block federal sage grouse conservation plans <a href="http://ow.ly/TuKu8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TuKu8</a></li>
<li>With Mille Lacs winter walleye season coming, Minnesota DNR sees positive signs in fish survey results <a href="http://ow.ly/TCxZV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCxZV</a></li>
<li>Zebra mussels found in 85-acre Lake Sylvia, northwest of St. Cloud <a href="http://ow.ly/TCyA6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCyA6</a></li>
<li>Minnesota DNR updates list of lakes and streams infested with aquatic invasive species in state <a href="http://ow.ly/TFywV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFywV</a></li>
<li>Invasive Old World bluestem grasses threaten Kansas pastures <a href="http://ow.ly/TCGjy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCGjy</a></li>
<li>Federal and state officials: large population of feral hogs in Arkansas is causing problems for farmers <a href="http://ow.ly/TFAAv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFAAv</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/TFADS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFADS</a></li>
<li>Illinois drops internal emerald ash borer quarantine after survey confirms its presence in 10 new counties <a href="http://ow.ly/TIjDl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIjDl</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Oklahoma City</b>: how the creation of parks, sidewalks, bike lanes and landscaped walking trails helped to turn around an obesity epidemic <a href="http://ow.ly/TzsjL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzsjL</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Ohio</b> lawmakers to hear two plans for bond issue to improve water quality statewide <a href="http://ow.ly/TFuFT" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFuFT</a></li>
<li>Harrisburg<i> Patriot-News</i> concludes that <b>Pennsylvania</b> regulators "ignored citizens' constitutional right to clean air and water" in regulating shale gas industry <a href="http://ow.ly/TCwr7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCwr7</a></li>
<li>Amidst budget stalemate, low <b>Illinois</b>' bond rating dropped even further due to "continued deterioration of the state's financial flexibility" <a href="http://ow.ly/TCK2q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCK2q</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Details of BP settlement show oil spill caused trillions of marine wildlife deaths <a href="http://ow.ly/TCvGz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCvGz</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>White House expresses strong opposition to legislation that would speed up mining permits on <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqAQVFSsHcY/VijX5rBTSzI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/xhmhxU0L4HU/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqAQVFSsHcY/VijX5rBTSzI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/xhmhxU0L4HU/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
public lands <a href="http://ow.ly/TFvda" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFvda</a> (<i>related story below</i>)</li>
<li>House approves bill to speed up the permitting process for mining resources deemed "strategic or critical" <a href="http://ow.ly/TL1S7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL1S7</a></li>
<li>NPR: States are often left on the hook for cleaning up abandoned infrastructure after energy booms wane <a href="http://ow.ly/TFzkp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFzkp</a></li>
<li>Google Timelapse: Three decades of Powder River Basin coal mining in the Thunder Basin National Grassland <a href="http://ow.ly/TzrSO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzrSO</a></li>
<li>While Minnesota's and Wisconsin's frac sand industry is seeing a downturn, advocates continue fight to shut it down for good <a href="http://ow.ly/TtTzT" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtTzT</a></li>
<li>Protesters deliver to Iowa Utilities Board over 1,000 objections to a proposed crude oil pipeline through Iowa <a href="http://ow.ly/TtUX8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtUX8</a></li>
<li>Judge dismisses lawsuit filed by Iowa landowners challenging a proposed crude oil pipeline <a href="http://ow.ly/TL5qM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL5qM</a></li>
<li>Powder River Basin Resource Council petitions Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to stop allowing Arch Coal to self-bond <a href="http://ow.ly/TCCBW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCCBW</a></li>
<li>Enbridge, Minnesota regulators ask state Supreme Court to reverse lower court ruling requiring full environmental review of Sandpiper pipeline project <a href="http://ow.ly/TCKIZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCKIZ</a></li>
<li>Environmental advocates say FERC policies hinder appeals on pipeline projects <a href="http://ow.ly/TIoxX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIoxX</a></li>
<li>Pipeline opponents continue push to overturn Nebraska law that would allow companies to bypass regulatory commission on route approvals <a href="http://ow.ly/TIoYO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIoYO</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>)</i> -<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Democrats, environmental groups intend to fight inclusion of "poison pill" policy riders in budget negotiations <a href="http://ow.ly/TFz4S" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFz4S</a></li>
<li>Congress’ crucial effort to strike a year-end federal fiscal deal is faltering before it’s really started <a href="http://ow.ly/TzqIU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TzqIU</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Upper Mississippi River meetings scheduled for <b>November 16-18</b> in St. Paul, Minnesota; preliminary agendas posted <a href="http://ow.ly/TFA2N" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFA2N</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li>Wisconsin DNR <i>Floodplain and Shoreland Management Notes</i>: Autumn 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/TCzDj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCzDj</a></li>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch</i> No. 307; October 19, Deep in the Heart of Louisiana <a href="http://ow.ly/TCBEp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCBEp</a></li>
<li><i>Lower Mississippi River Dispatch </i>No. 209: Gators and Freighters; Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico <a href="http://ow.ly/TItbI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TItbI</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <i>Waterfront Bulletin</i> for October 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/TCDnz" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCDnz</a></li>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy October 20 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/TFy31" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFy31</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's <i>Feedlot Update</i> - October 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/TFDRV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFDRV</a></li>
<li>October 21 Green Lands Blue Waters update <a href="http://ow.ly/TIkDv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIkDv</a></li>
<li>Montana Watershed Coordination Council October 22 <i>Watershed News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/TL4AI" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL4AI</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZsZ_Vav3vo/ViTbLJjQQXI/AAAAAAAAJ-o/02mJVKuv_d0/s1600/img_40471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZsZ_Vav3vo/ViTbLJjQQXI/AAAAAAAAJ-o/02mJVKuv_d0/s200/img_40471.jpg" title="Meadville Market House - Allegheny River Watershed" width="200" /></a><br />
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>U.S. Treasury confirms $20B balance for Land and Water Conservation Fund <a href="http://ow.ly/TCviW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCviW</a></li>
<li>House Natural Resources Committee releases draft bill to reauthorize and reform the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act <a href="http://ow.ly/TIgoA" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIgoA</a></li>
<li>Senators reintroduce bill to reauthorize Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act - program to promote federal land sales, purchases <a href="http://ow.ly/TIiFk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIiFk</a></li>
<li>With new federal coal ash storage rules in place; Tennessee Valley Authority says it's ready <a href="http://ow.ly/TCEV4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TCEV4</a></li>
<li>Wry chuckle of the week: "Why I hate farmers markets" Clare Doody - <i>Washington Post </i><a href="http://ow.ly/TztTH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TztTH</a></li>
<li>Obama administration blamed for massive regulatory delays <a href="http://bit.ly/1GXeJPE" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1GXeJPE</a></li>
<li>Wisconsin DNR Job Announcement: Mississippi River Water Policy and Planning Expert <a href="http://ow.ly/TL3Dd" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL3Dd</a></li>
<li>Job opening: Research Ecologist position with U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center <a href="http://ow.ly/TL3Yf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TL3Yf</a></li>
<li>Minnesota agency: disaster prevention and response plans submitted by five rail companies do not fully meet state requirements <a href="http://ow.ly/TIHnc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TIHnc</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>Sen. <b>David Vitter </b>(R-LA) is likely headed for a December runoff with his top Democratic rival in Louisiana's governor race <a href="http://ow.ly/TuB2l" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TuB2l</a></li>
<li>Leading Republican raises concerns over two Obama nominees for Department of the Interior positions <a href="http://ow.ly/TFwb5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TFwb5</a></li>
<li>House Speaker <b>John Boehner </b>schedules GOP October 28 conference meeting, for vote on his replacement <a href="http://ow.ly/TInHw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TInHw</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/COG5XTWGPPQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Time Lapse of Rotunda Scaffold Installation 2015</div>
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</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-52041997653377470312015-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-19T08:58:26.672-04:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6ex-WsVJI/Vh5iRPDYWaI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/TndtKeYVeoY/s1600/635730760178619068-boehnertweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6ex-WsVJI/Vh5iRPDYWaI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/TndtKeYVeoY/s200/635730760178619068-boehnertweet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Tomorrow (Tuesday), the U.S. Congress returns from its Columbus Day week's recess, and below are the House and Senate activities currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin natural resources. <br />
<br />
Tuesday's Rules Committee meeting regarding <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1937" target="_blank">H.R. 1937</a> sets the stage for consideration of the measure by the full House later in the week (likely on <a href="http://kevinmccarthyforms.house.gov/news/email/show.aspx?ID=ECLKUS7ZCIQQOFYSQ4YIUGG53E" target="_blank">Thursday or Friday</a>). <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1937" target="_blank">H.R. 1937, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act</a>, would ease environmental review requirements for mineral production activities, including the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, and it would limit courts' ability to provide redress. The measure defines minerals broadly as those necessary for national defense and security; for energy infrastructure, including pipelines, refining capacity, electrical power generation and transmission, and renewable energy production; and to support domestic manufacturing, agriculture, housing, telecommunications, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure.<br />
<br />
Links are provided below to the relevant committee web pages and appropriate pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as warranted. </b><br />
<br />
Tuesday, October 20<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee <a href="http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-and-business-meetings?ID=6319ca02-ecb2-4f20-b4ab-88489181c296" target="_blank">hearing</a> to consider several pending Department of Interior nominations, including Suzette M. Kimball, of West Virginia, to be Director of the United States Geological Survey, and Kristen Joan Sarri, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary; 10:00 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Rules Committee <a href="https://rules.house.gov/news/announcement/meeting-announcement-hr-10-hr-692-and-hr-1937" target="_blank">meeting</a> to set the rules for House consideration of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1937" target="_blank">H.R. 1937</a>; 5:00 PM, room H-313 The Capitol (see description of the bill, above).</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, October 21<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Agriculture Committee <a href="http://www.ag.senate.gov/hearings/agriculture-biotechnology-a-look-at-federal-regulation-and-stakeholder-perspectives" target="_blank">hearing</a> to examine agriculture biotechnology, focusing on Federal regulations and stakeholder perspectives; 10:00 AM, room 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight <a href="http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=D04CBC93-8FD7-461E-BCE1-C3B0D1F77126" target="_blank">hearing</a> entitled, “Oversight of Regulatory Impact Analyses for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regulations;” 10:00 AM, room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
<li>House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment <a href="http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399322" target="_blank">hearing</a> on abandoned mines in the United States and opportunities for "Good Samaritan" cleanups; 10:00 AM, room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>Senate Budget Committee <a href="http://www.budget.senate.gov/republican/public/index.cfm/hearing-schedule?ID=b66c18b1-6ada-45b4-92a1-eca6ee6a809e" target="_blank">hearing</a> on Reforming the Federal Budget Process and the Need for Action; 10:30 AM, room 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Thursday, October 22<br />
<ul>
<li>House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee <a href="http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399372" target="_blank">meeting</a> to markup the "<a href="http://transportation.house.gov/strr-act/" target="_blank">Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act 6 of 2015</a>" regarding "the policy and authorization provisions of a bill to improve America’s surface transportation infrastructure, reform programs, refocus those programs on national priorities" (note: including pedestrian and cycling trails and pathways, and scenic highways); 10:00 AM, room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subcommittee <a href="https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/ready-and-resilient-examining-federal-emergency-preparedness-and-response-capabilities/" target="_blank">hearing</a> "Examining Federal Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities" (i.e., assessing FEMA’s capabilities to respond to large-scale disasters); 10:00 AM, room 311 Cannon House Office Building.</li>
<li>House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/technical-assistance-rural-water-systems-s-611-grassroots-rural-and-small-community-water" target="_blank">hearing</a> on "Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/611" target="_blank">S. 611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act</a>" (the bill would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize through FY 2020 the Environmental Protection Agency's program providing technical assistance to small public water systems in complying with national primary drinking water regulations); 10:00 AM, room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-19077976221308809672015-10-16T08:30:00.000-04:002015-10-16T08:34:35.003-04:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<b><i>Two Court Decisions Set Stage for Future </i></b><b><i>WOTUS </i></b><b><i>Court Action, Increase Legal Uncertainty</i></b><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bzd43qa6Vuk/Vh5S5za8ytI/AAAAAAAAJ8g/Qc0sMluG2MI/s1600/wotus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bzd43qa6Vuk/Vh5S5za8ytI/AAAAAAAAJ8g/Qc0sMluG2MI/s200/wotus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
On October 9, a split 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel in Cincinnati ruled (2 to 1) in favor of a states' appeal requesting that the Waters of the United States ("WOTUS" or "Clean Water") rule be stayed from going into effect nationwide (<a href="http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/15a0246p-06.pdf">link to the ruling here</a>). The 6th Circuit decision came in a set of cases consolidated into one multi-district, multi-circuit case.<br />
<br />
As a result of the decision, the rule is no longer in effect anywhere in the U.S. The stay in the rule's implementation will last until the court determines if the Clean Water Act gives it authority over the rule or if the states' appeal must be remanded to a district court (under the Clean Water Act, certain challenges can go directly to an appeals court, bypassing district courts; however, that language for judicial review in appeals courts is very limited). If the 6th Circuit panel decides that they do not have jurisdiction over the matter, they could concurrently decide that the stay no longer applies. A decision may be forthcoming within a month. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is currently considering the same jurisdictional issue, and should the decisions of the 6th and 11th circuits differ, jurisdiction could then be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.<br />
<br />
The 6th Circuit ruling touched upon arguments for and against the rule only briefly, with two of the three panel judges finding that there was a "substantial possibility" that the plaintiffs would eventually win on the merits of their claims. In response to the 6th Circuit ruling, an <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule/clean-water-rule-litigation-statement" target="_blank">EPA statemen</a>t said, "The court acknowledges that clarification of the Clean Water Act is needed," and "we look forward to litigating the merits of the Clean Water rule."<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, October 13, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ruled against a Department of Justice request that nine separate U.S. district court cases challenging the rule (in seven separate courts) be consolidated into one case and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (<a href="http://static.ow.ly/docs/Case%20ND%203%2015-cv-00059%20Document%2069_3QQ0.pdf" target="_blank">link to the ruling here</a>).<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6ex-WsVJI/Vh5iRPDYWaI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/oYyzXnbXPL4/s1600/635730760178619068-boehnertweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6ex-WsVJI/Vh5iRPDYWaI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/oYyzXnbXPL4/s200/635730760178619068-boehnertweet.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<b><i>Next Week in Congress</i></b><br />
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has gone through the procedural motions of adding separate or packaged fiscal year 2016 spending bills to the Senate calendar, setting up possible votes over the next several weeks. The new spending packages combine Senate Appropriation Committee appropriation measures that earlier this year became bogged down in the larger budget impasse. The energy and water, and interior and environment appropriations bills are included in several of the packages. However don't expect the votes on the bills to be anything but window dressing, with the GOP looking to put Democrats "on the record" as they vote down or otherwise block the bills. In the meantime, Democratic and Republican leaders will continue their efforts to hammer out a comprehensive budget agreement before the current spending authority expires on December 11. Sen. McConnell is reported to be pushing for policy riders to be included in whatever budget deal emerges from the negotiations, including a rider dealing with the Waters of the United States rule, but that insistence, like the spending bill votes, is more style than substance.<br />
<br />
Next Tuesday, the U.S. Congress returns from its Columbus Day week's recess, and there are several House and Senate committee activities currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources. You can link to a list of those meetings and hearings <a href="http://ow.ly/TrfEX" target="_blank">here (updated as needed)</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week </i></b><br />
<br />
Water Quality -<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Waters of the United States Rule</i></div>
<ul>
<li>6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati halts new Waters of the United States rule nationwide <a href="http://ow.ly/TdyIV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TdyIV</a> (link to court ruling: <a href="http://ow.ly/Te64q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Te64q</a>)</li>
<li>Appeals court freezes WOTUS rule in blow to Obama administration <a href="http://ow.ly/Te4aX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Te4aX</a></li>
<li>US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation decides against consolidating WOTUS cases; news article: <a href="http://ow.ly/Tm0RJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tm0RJ</a> and ruling: <a href="http://static.ow.ly/docs/Case%20ND%203%2015-cv-00059%20Document%2069_3QQ0.pdf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/d/3QQ0</a></li>
<li>Department of Justice asks U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota to halt WOTUS proceedings until jurisdiction issue is resolved; news article: <a href="http://ow.ly/TqM0n" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqM0n</a> (DOJ filing: <a href="http://ow.ly/TqLRl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqLRl</a>)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Other Water Quality News</i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Continued presence of the Ohio River harmful algal bloom forces cancellation of this year's Great Ohio River Swim (Greater Cincinnati) <a href="http://ow.ly/TrA3g" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrA3g</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">New study finds above-ground spills, not drilling, are responsible for water contamination from fracking <a href="http://ow.ly/TlBNy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlBNy</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Iowa DNR: Spilled hog manure reaches Skunk River <a href="http://ow.ly/TlCoZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlCoZ</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">U.S. District Court for Western District of Pennsylvania invalidates local government's efforts to block oil and gas wastewater disposal <a href="http://ow.ly/TtOGB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtOGB</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>As the Southwest dries, water could transform the Rust Belt into the "Blue Belt" <a href="http://ow.ly/TdCkB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TdCkB</a></li>
<li>Justice Department will appeal Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet damages ruling against Army Corps of Engineers <a href="http://ow.ly/TlG2V" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlG2V</a></li>
<li>Stakeholder reactions to new Republican bill to overhaul Wisconsin’s high-capacity well regulations are lukewarm <a href="http://ow.ly/TotvN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TotvN</a></li>
<li>Dredging continues in phase two of project to reintroduce Mississippi River flows to Bayou Lafourche (Louisiana) <a href="http://ow.ly/TqJ3H" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqJ3H</a></li>
<li>Report Card gives Mississippi River Basin a D+ on condition of infrastructure such as locks and dams <a href="http://ow.ly/TqMtE" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqMtE</a> (<i>see additional, related link below under "Other News"</i>)</li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aCKo70W_wgE/Vh5G8YiXhjI/AAAAAAAAJ8U/pzaDKlMamiY/s1600/journal.pone.0136580.g003.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="128" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aCKo70W_wgE/Vh5G8YiXhjI/AAAAAAAAJ8U/pzaDKlMamiY/s200/journal.pone.0136580.g003.PNG" title="Crop Species Diversity Changes in the United States: 1978–2012" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Hoosier Environmental Council challenges the constitutionality of Indiana's right-to-farm laws <a href="http://ow.ly/TdhD6" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TdhD6</a></li>
<li>Study: U.S. crop diversity loss could have far-reaching ecosystem services and food system sustainability consequences <a href="http://ow.ly/TnPLq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnPLq</a></li>
<li>"Putting down the plow in Oklahoma" - the growing trend toward less farmland tillage <a href="http://ow.ly/TqUME" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqUME</a></li>
<li>USDA provides $30 million in Farm Bill conservation grants to protect wetlands in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee <a href="http://ow.ly/Trmnp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Trmnp</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYXmLcNXx80/Vh-8jNaF91I/AAAAAAAAJ9s/3o7jifAq_j0/s1600/20151013_usdm_home.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYXmLcNXx80/Vh-8jNaF91I/AAAAAAAAJ9s/3o7jifAq_j0/s200/20151013_usdm_home.png" width="200" /></a>Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>US drought update: dryness expands across portions of the Corn Belt and into western Kentucky; drought and abnormal dryness deepens in most of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>The Earth just had its warmest September on record — by a long shot <a href="http://ow.ly/TtNMV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtNMV</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>Minnesota DNR initiates pilot projects to treat small infestations of zebra mussels on Minnesota lakes <a href="http://ow.ly/TlGT8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlGT8</a></li>
<li>South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard pushes for changes to Endangered Species Act <a href="http://ow.ly/TlUI3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlUI3</a></li>
<li>Study: Bakken oil shale development displacing scores of sensitive grassland birds from northern North Dakota; abstract: <a href="http://ow.ly/TrP6g" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrP6g</a> and full study publication: <a href="http://ow.ly/TrPLC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrPLC</a></li>
<li>How ecotourists actually make things worse for wildlife <a href="http://ow.ly/TrQcR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrQcR</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Uudo6ho1U/Vh-3-oeoBeI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/F6kjiXr_HTY/s1600/climatecentralmapscreenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Uudo6ho1U/Vh-3-oeoBeI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/F6kjiXr_HTY/s320/climatecentralmapscreenshot.png" width="320" /></a>
<li>As green as city officials like to call <b>Louisville</b>, studies continue to show it ranks poorly in a number of environmental indicators <a href="http://ow.ly/TqVXH" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqVXH</a> (study results here: <a href="http://ow.ly/TqWpV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqWpV</a> - <b>Minneapolis </b>7th, <b>St. Louis</b> 34th, <b>New Orleans</b> 66th, <b>Baton Rouge</b> last)</li>
<li>Study: Sea level rise will "swallow" <b>New Orleans</b> eventually, no matter what is done to limit climate change; stories: <a href="http://ow.ly/TlDf3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlDf3</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/TnJWX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnJWX</a> (study abstract: <a href="http://ow.ly/Ts3E4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ts3E4</a>)</li>
<li>River Town program advising smaller municipalities with fewer resources how to revitalize their waterfronts sees success along Monongahela River's <b>Fredericktown </b><a href="http://ow.ly/TqOoY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqOoY</a></li>
<li><b>Decatur</b>, Illinois' second phase of storm water fee starts next month <a href="http://ow.ly/TtJDN" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtJDN</a></li>
</ul>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Pennsylvania </b>House Bill 965 would make it easier for legislature to block executive agencies' regulations, statements of policy <a href="http://ow.ly/TrOdU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrOdU</a> (Pennsylvania Environmental Council opposes bill <a href="http://ow.ly/TrOt3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrOt3</a>)</li>
<li><b>Kansas</b> Gov. Brownback not looking at additional spending cuts or new taxes to balance budget <a href="http://ow.ly/Tdryl" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tdryl</a></li>
<li><b>Wyoming </b>Gov. Matt Mead prepares to cut millions of dollars from state's budget as energy revenues lag <a href="http://ow.ly/TlKnf" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlKnf</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Louisiana Indian tribe files lawsuit over 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill damages to tribal cultural, natural resources <a href="http://ow.ly/TlGnO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlGnO</a></li>
</ul>
Forestry -<br />
<ul>
<li>Judge approves West Virginia businessman's plan to buy some Patriot Coal assets, launch reforestation venture with carbon credits <a href="http://ow.ly/Tdeom" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tdeom</a></li>
<li>Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council announces members to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Performance Review Board <a href="http://ow.ly/TqTXR" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqTXR</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-1JhEmityo/Vh-r7SboajI/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/ksp3aZE2drA/s1600/be%2Bangry.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-1JhEmityo/Vh-r7SboajI/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/ksp3aZE2drA/s200/be%2Bangry.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YouTube link to the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Top industry official says a "suite" of proposed federal regulations is threatening North Dakota's oil production, not slumping prices <a href="http://ow.ly/Tr093" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tr093</a></li>
<li>North Dakota Department of Health notified of 800-barrel (25,000 gallon) brine spill in McKenzie County at site operated by Hillstone Environmental Partners - no surface water impact reported <a href="http://ow.ly/TlRKL" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlRKL</a> (<i>related</i>: the state fines for the Hillstone Environmental Partners spill will likely be negligible <a href="https://youtu.be/jYusNNldesc" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/jYusNNldesc</a>)</li>
<li>As voters are asked for a fifth time whether to ban fracking locally, their Ohio mayor says residents are "tired of hearing about the issue" <a href="http://ow.ly/Tr2R7" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tr2R7</a></li>
<li>Gillette, Wyoming: "Coal. Guns. Freedom" - A week in the life of the town that keeps your lights on <a href="http://ow.ly/TtNpq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtNpq</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget <i>(You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a>)</i> -<br />
<ul>
<li>Congressional Budget Office: Debt limit must be raised in next 30 days <a href="http://ow.ly/TqJrU" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqJrU</a></li>
<li>House Speaker Boehner looking to move debt-ceiling bill soon <a href="http://ow.ly/TqJyY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqJyY</a></li>
</ul>
Events - <i>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 <a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">here as a stand-alone calendar</a></i>)<br />
<ul>
<li>EPA and the Water Environment Federation to host series of three, free webcasts focused on biomimicry and biophillic design; <b>October 21, November 5, 18</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/TrEHo" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TrEHo</a></li>
<li>USEPA Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee meeting; <b>October 22</b>, Broomfield, Colorado, 9 AM-5 PM MT (open to public) <a href="http://ow.ly/TnHDb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnHDb</a></li>
<li>Interior Department Invasive Species Advisory Committee public meeting; <b>October 28-30</b>, Beltsville, MD <a href="http://ow.ly/TnIlZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnIlZ</a></li>
<li>Capitol Hill briefing: What Are Farmers Doing to Address Water Quality, <b>November 2</b>; 2-3:30 pm, Senate Visitor's Center <a href="http://ow.ly/TlT75" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlT75</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>NW PAssages</i> E-Zine ~ October 2015; exploring northwest Pennsylvania's greenways <a href="http://ow.ly/TlQ5d" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlQ5d</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh91cit4SM4/Vh48J22fELI/AAAAAAAAJ8I/Wqn5Tn6LscM/s1600/report%2Bcard.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh91cit4SM4/Vh48J22fELI/AAAAAAAAJ8I/Wqn5Tn6LscM/s200/report%2Bcard.png" title="America’s Watershed Initiative Mississippi River Basin Report Card" width="160" /></a>Other news-<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Republicans think they might be able to lift oil export ban if it's paired with Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization <a href="http://ow.ly/TqNhv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqNhv</a></li>
<li>Obama administration directs agencies to factor in value of ecosystem services into planning and decision-making <a href="http://ow.ly/TnMxO" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnMxO</a></li>
<li>America’s Watershed Initiative releases new Report Card for the 31-state Mississippi River Watershed <a href="http://ow.ly/TnIS5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnIS5</a> (<i>related news story below</i>)</li>
<li><i>Wall Street Journal</i>: "Mississippi River Watershed Given a D+" "Grade from nonprofit coalition cites water supply, pollution, infrastructure" <a href="http://ow.ly/TqVn8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqVn8</a></li>
<li>Job Opportunity: Natural Resources Biologist – Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau, Muscatine, IA <a href="http://ow.ly/TlznM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlznM</a></li>
<li>Parties come together to celebrate canoes and volunteerism on the Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/TlEEn" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlEEn</a></li>
<li>Great River Greening seeks to fill Director of Conservation Programs position (Saint Paul, MN) <a href="http://ow.ly/TlU6Q" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TlU6Q</a></li>
<li>Minnesota DNR proposes lead shot ban for state wildlife management areas <a href="http://ow.ly/TnQjP" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnQjP</a></li>
<li>Creighton University's September rural main street index signifies that the U.S. farm/rural economy continues to contract <a href="http://ow.ly/TnTBp" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnTBp</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li>Congressional Management Foundation report: Social media posts from constituents grab Congress's attention <a href="http://ow.ly/TtKd3" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TtKd3</a></li>
<li>Minnesota businessman <b>Stewart Mills</b> (R) announces a second challenge to 8th District Democratic Rep. <b>Rick Nolan</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/TnJCh" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TnJCh</a></li>
<li>Environmental groups weigh in on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court race that they say has long term environmental implications <a href="http://ow.ly/TqOKr" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TqOKr</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen</i></b> -<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxOhPUU6UIo/VhfPrBs7ErI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/GlWQJm-NqiM/s1600/20151004_160411_HDR-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxOhPUU6UIo/VhfPrBs7ErI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/GlWQJm-NqiM/s640/20151004_160411_HDR-01.jpeg" title=""A River's Course" - painted with alcohol inks on yupo paper" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #666666;">"A River's Course" - courtesy Carol Hays, Executive Director, <a href="http://prairierivers.org/" target="_blank">Prairie Rivers Network</a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-33000841714108062992015-10-16T07:26:00.000-04:002015-10-16T08:41:38.427-04:00What We Learned This Week: "It's too late, New Orleans, now, it's too late"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uPd8aVpCUsg/Vh5yMbpmxwI/AAAAAAAAJ84/qI7-e2EZnyg/s1600/Cking_toolate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uPd8aVpCUsg/Vh5yMbpmxwI/AAAAAAAAJ84/qI7-e2EZnyg/s200/Cking_toolate.JPG" width="199" /></a></div>
A federal appeals court in Cincinnati <a href="http://ow.ly/TdyIV" target="_blank">halted nationwide implementation</a> of the Obama administration's new Waters of the United States rule, while a second federal panel <a href="http://ow.ly/Tm0RJ" target="_blank">decided against consolidating</a> numerous cases appealing the rule. Above-ground spills, not drilling, are r<a href="http://ow.ly/TlBNy" target="_blank">esponsible for much of the water contamination</a> that results from fracking. Greater Cincinnati's Great Ohio River Swim <a href="http://ow.ly/TrA3g" target="_blank">won't be so great</a>, after all, because of the continuing Ohio River harmful algal bloom. 25,000 gallons of <a href="http://ow.ly/TlRKL" target="_blank">brine were spilled in North Dakota</a>, but reportedly did not impact any surface water. The Skunk River in Iowa was not so lucky, as <a href="http://ow.ly/TlCoZ" target="_blank">spilled hog manure</a> made its way into that water body. It's been <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">much dryer</a> lately in the Corn Belt and Lower Mississippi River Valley. If the Mississippi River Basin were a school student, it would be <a href="http://americaswatershed.org/reportcard/" target="_blank">well below average</a>. The Earth just celebrated its <a href="http://ow.ly/TtNMV" target="_blank">warmest September on record</a>. No matter what anyone does, <a href="http://ow.ly/TlDf3" target="_blank">it's too late</a> to keep rising seas from swallowing New Orleans. <a href="http://ow.ly/TqVXH" target="_blank">Louisville is less "green"</a> than city leaders seem to believe. But <a href="http://ow.ly/TqWpV" target="_blank">Baton Rouge is doing much worse</a>. Scores of sensitive grassland birds are being <a href="http://ow.ly/TrP6g" target="_blank">displaced from northern North Dakota</a> by Bakken oil shale development. A top oil industry official <a href="http://ow.ly/Tr093" target="_blank">said that a "suite" of proposed federal regulations</a> threatens North Dakota's oil production, not slumping prices. And last but not least, John Oliver would like the normally very polite people of North Dakota to <a href="https://youtu.be/jYusNNldesc" target="_blank">get angry</a> ("please").Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-22679343508743070432015-10-09T08:59:00.000-04:002015-10-09T09:39:57.471-04:00What We Learned This Week - "A Bridge Too Far"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CV98F4hKe5Y/Vhe0baKyxkI/AAAAAAAAJ7g/5yWHfa7-RrM/s1600/919QdcNMsfL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CV98F4hKe5Y/Vhe0baKyxkI/AAAAAAAAJ7g/5yWHfa7-RrM/s200/919QdcNMsfL._SL1500_.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
The Ohio River <a href="http://ow.ly/T4mlV" target="_blank">algal bloom stretched to 650 miles</a> in length - over two-thirds of the River’s length. The National Wildlife Federation <a href="http://ow.ly/TaOu0" target="_blank">sued the U.S Department of Transportation</a> over its alleged failure to protect people, communities and the environment from inland waterways oil pipeline spills. Congressional advocates sought to forge a bipartisan path toward permanently <a href="http://ow.ly/Talbx" target="_blank">reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund</a>. The Army Corps of Engineers proposed a $14 billion list of water resources development <a href="http://ow.ly/T6YyQ" target="_blank">projects it wants to deauthorize</a>. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley <a href="http://ow.ly/TazTx" target="_blank">worked on a farm for a bit</a>, and said that the nation needs to upgrade the Mississippi River's locks and dams to help farmers. <a href="http://ow.ly/Tas1O" target="_blank">West Virginia reached an agreement with Patriot Coal Corp.</a>, which will now set aside $50 million for its coal mining environmental cleanup responsibilities. Federal officials finalized a <a href="http://ow.ly/T4hcJ" target="_blank">$20+ billion deal with BP</a> to settle 2010 Gulf oil spill-related lawsuits. Allies on Louisiana Coastal restoration issues found themselves at odds over plans to <a href="http://ow.ly/TcPy9" target="_blank">tap into BP oil spill fine money</a> for Louisiana Route 1 bridge work. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the <a href="http://ow.ly/Tac5a" target="_blank">Kentucky arrow darter as "threatened"</a> under the Endangered Species Act, but won't be protecting <a href="http://ow.ly/Taclv" target="_blank">Kentucky's Cumberland arrow darter</a> or Tennessee cave beetles. Zebra mussels <a href="http://ow.ly/TcX7K" target="_blank">invaded two more lakes</a> in Minnesota's Twin Cities region. Signs at Minnesota's Lake Calhoun are now <a href="http://ow.ly/T1dtW" target="_blank">subtitled "Bde Maka Ska."</a> Incumbent Memphis Mayor A C Wharton was <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/government/politics/elections/local/strickland-wins-memphis-mayors-race-215d01ef-9677-435e-e053-0100007fdb36-331502661.html" target="_blank">defeated</a> in a Thursday election by City Councilman Jim Strickland. And last but not least, it's <a href="http://ow.ly/Ta74O" target="_blank">stressful living in Memphis and New Orleans</a> (St. Louis and Minneapolis . . . not so much).Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-47052599842283807682015-10-09T08:30:00.000-04:002015-10-09T09:00:53.190-04:00Mississippi River Basin Water Resource Weekly News<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Most of the Water News - None of the Spin~</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<b><i>This Week . . . But Not Next</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okfgnCHjEA8/VhephAtIWUI/AAAAAAAAJ7Q/vYfHDesq6TQ/s1600/a1b08a37ebef2427810f6a7067006dd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okfgnCHjEA8/VhephAtIWUI/AAAAAAAAJ7Q/vYfHDesq6TQ/s200/a1b08a37ebef2427810f6a7067006dd8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The long, blue-green, Ohio River bloom continues to get longer, bluer and greener by the day. Fed mostly by nutrient-laden farmland runoff, the fluorescent toxic algal bloom is garnering local, regional and national media and agency scrutiny, but little attention in the halls of Congress, where deliberations this week centered on brokering a Republican-White House comprehensive, 2017 fiscal year budget deal, and determining who will occupy the House Speaker's chair next (It won't be House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. It may be Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
After today's House session, both Congressional chambers will be darkened until October 20, when Members of Congress return in a refreshed, post-recessed state of mind to face several looming deadlines, including the need to raise the country's debt ceiling (in early to mid-November, depending on who you listen to), the soon-to-expire surface transportation authority (October 29), and another government funding deadline (December 11). Authorization for the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund has already expired, and when Congress returns, expect to see renewed attempts to resurrect the program's funding stream - in the forms of stand-alone legislation and amendments to other bills, such as the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/697" target="_blank">Senate measure</a> to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act. Blocking the LWCF path to reauthorization is the contention by some in Congress that the program should be amended to allow the sell-off of federal lands to help reduce the national debt. <br />
<br />
Expect the Ohio River algal bloom to continue next week.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The best bits of the week's water-related news are amassed below. Or, if you're not that hungry, check out our concise, single-paragraph, compilation in "<i><a href="http://ow.ly/Td4GL" target="_blank">What We Learned This Week - "A Bridge Too Far</a></i>."<br />
<div>
<br />
<b><i>Noteworthy <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NEMWIUpperMiss" target="_blank">@UpperMiss</a> Twitter Postings for the Week</i></b> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnzZIyHxHFo/VhO7sqiErYI/AAAAAAAAJ6I/beixP9uX2ns/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnzZIyHxHFo/VhO7sqiErYI/AAAAAAAAJ6I/beixP9uX2ns/s200/Untitled.png" title="Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Bill DeReamer, WLKY</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Water Quality -<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette </i>editorial: A green river: Spreading algae on the Ohio is cause for concern <a href="http://ow.ly/T1k6T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1k6T</a></li>
<li>Toxic algae bloom now stretches 650 miles along the Ohio River - more than two-thirds of the River’s length <a href="http://ow.ly/T4mlV" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4mlV</a></li>
<li>Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission: Ohio River states to decide how and where companies test to quantify mercury released into waterway <a href="http://ow.ly/TcYu5" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TcYu5</a></li>
<li>Murray Energy Corp. sues Obama administration over documents tied to a rulemaking for protecting waterways from mining <a href="http://ow.ly/T4mR8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4mR8</a></li>
<li>EPA reaches settlement with Wayne County, Missouri landowners for Clean Water Act violations (placing fill in stream) <a href="http://ow.ly/Tad7h" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tad7h</a></li>
<li>National Wildlife Federation sues U.S Department of Transportation over alleged failure to protect people, environment from oil pipeline spills into inland waters <a href="http://ow.ly/TaOu0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TaOu0</a></li>
</ul>
Water Resource Management (Floodplains, Dams, Navigation, Wetlands, Flooding, Supplies, etc.) -<br />
<ul>
<li>Army Corps of Engineers publishes Interim List of water resources development projects identified for deauthorization under WRRDA; Projects are worth about $14 billion. Comments sought for 90 days (until Jan. 4, 2016) <a href="http://ow.ly/T6YyQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T6YyQ</a></li>
<li>NY <i>Times</i>: With Flood Insurance Rare, Homeowners Have Little Recourse <a href="http://ow.ly/TajgS" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TajgS</a></li>
<li>On Illinois farm, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) discusses need to fund dam and lock upgrades on the Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/TazTx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TazTx</a></li>
</ul>
Agriculture -<br />
<ul>
<li>South Dakota announces launch of a campaign to help state farmers and ranchers maintain and improve wildlife habitat <a href="http://ow.ly/T1pgM" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1pgM</a></li>
<li>Obama administration has decided that environmental sustainability won't be factored into new US dietary guidelines <a href="http://ow.ly/Taboc" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Taboc</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BggWN2vQ6SY/VhaIVMsBqoI/AAAAAAAAJ6s/QrhgvPIkGNI/s1600/20151006_south_none.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BggWN2vQ6SY/VhaIVMsBqoI/AAAAAAAAJ6s/QrhgvPIkGNI/s200/20151006_south_none.png" title="U.S. Drought Monitor: South" width="200" /></a>Climate and Weather -<br />
<ul>
<li>NOAA US weekly drought update: rains erase long-term Oklahoma drought, dryness; parts of Arkansas see driest September ever; Midwest short-term dryness expands <a href="http://ow.ly/wmTdv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/wmTdv</a></li>
<li>Agri-Pulse: Climate change and agriculture: Challenges and opportunities <a href="http://ow.ly/Tah25" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tah25</a></li>
</ul>
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Invasives -<br />
<ul>
<li>Sand County Foundation releases report touting species saved without listing them under Endangered Species Act <a href="http://ow.ly/T73xb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T73xb</a></li>
<li>Federal court rejects central premise of EPA rules to reduce spread of invasive species through ship ballast water <a href="http://ow.ly/T4hwq" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4hwq</a></li>
<li>Pennsylvania drafts new 10-year wildlife action plan on how to “keep common species common” <a href="http://ow.ly/T1lj2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1lj2</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Department of Natural Resources takes additional measures in response to Lake Koronis starry stonewart discovery <a href="http://ow.ly/T1qUQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1qUQ</a></li>
<li>US Fish and Wildlife Service lists black pinesnake as a threatened species (Louisiana, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-zFAc5Kp74/Vheff0zRj8I/AAAAAAAAJ7A/NqhlaMvSicU/s1600/sglass_20140717hand-pollination-of-prairie-white-fringed-orchid-2014-07-17dsc_3104-version-2-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="159" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-zFAc5Kp74/Vheff0zRj8I/AAAAAAAAJ7A/NqhlaMvSicU/s200/sglass_20140717hand-pollination-of-prairie-white-fringed-orchid-2014-07-17dsc_3104-version-2-copy.jpg" title="Eastern Prairie-Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) growing in a prairie restoration near Madison, Wisconsin" width="200" /></a></div>
Mississippi and Alabama) <a href="http://ow.ly/T4gN8" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4gN8</a></li>
<li>Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to list Kentucky arrow darter as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act <a href="http://ow.ly/Tac5a" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tac5a</a></li>
<li>Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Act protections are not warranted for 19 species, including Cumberland arrow darter (Kentucky) and Tennessee cave beetles <a href="http://ow.ly/Taclv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Taclv</a></li>
<li>USDA to invest $4 million in assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to improve honey bee food sources <a href="http://ow.ly/T72F4" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T72F4</a></li>
<li>Photo essay on restoration of Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid in Wisconsin explores reasons for decline, recovery plans <a href="http://ow.ly/TbcFj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TbcFj</a></li>
<li>Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirms zebra mussels in two lakes (Wright County and Eden Prairie) <a href="http://ow.ly/TcX7K" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TcX7K</a></li>
</ul>
In the Cities -<br />
<ul>
<li>Frac sand industry's downturn is leaving Wisconsin and Minnesota towns such as <b>Winona</b> with <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNraPorrX2U/VhZzc4-fB2I/AAAAAAAAJ6c/Ble8_VsMqNQ/s1600/Dickson-StreetDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNraPorrX2U/VhZzc4-fB2I/AAAAAAAAJ6c/Ble8_VsMqNQ/s200/Dickson-StreetDay.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #666666;">Fayetteville, Arkansas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
an uncertain future <a href="http://ow.ly/T1ySx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1ySx</a></li>
<li><b>Dubuque</b>, Iowa wants to look closer at building a hydroelectric plant on the Mississippi River <a href="http://ow.ly/T4DNk" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4DNk</a></li>
<li><b>Memphis</b> and <b>New Orleans</b> make top ten in list of most stressful US cities based on congestion, other factors (<b>St. Louis</b> and <b>Minneapolis </b>further down list) <a href="http://ow.ly/Ta74O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ta74O</a></li>
<li>Designers chosen to improve sense of place in <b>Bentonville, Fayetteville, Springdale</b>, and <b>Rogers</b>, Arkansas <a href="http://ow.ly/TatU0" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TatU0</a></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee7HWuCelN8/VhO2CobOgwI/AAAAAAAAJ54/bSafBIlxR14/s1600/bead15g1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee7HWuCelN8/VhO2CobOgwI/AAAAAAAAJ54/bSafBIlxR14/s200/bead15g1.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the States-<br />
<ul>
<li>In response to continued <b>Pennsylvania</b> budget impasse, Gov. Wolf imposes hiring freeze, travel restrictions on state agencies <a href="http://ow.ly/T1rAX" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1rAX</a></li>
<li>Plastic microbeads in waters prompt states' regulatory efforts (including Mississippi River Basin states of <b>Colorado, Illinois, Indiana</b> and <b>Wisconsin</b>), while some attempts to regulate have failed (including <b>Iowa</b>, <b>Minnesota</b>) <a href="http://ow.ly/T4kvY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4kvY</a></li>
<li><b>Wisconsin</b> Land and Water Annual Progress Report released by Agriculture, Trade and Natural Resources departments <a href="http://ow.ly/T708x" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T708x</a></li>
</ul>
Gulf Coastal Region-<br />
<ul>
<li>Federal officials finalize an over $20 billion deal with BP to settle lawsuits stemming from 2010 Gulf oil spill <a href="http://ow.ly/T4hcJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4hcJ</a></li>
<li>Louisiana coastal marshes will be key focus of $8.8 billion BP will pay to restore 2010 oil spill natural resource losses <a href="http://ow.ly/T6XBv" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T6XBv</a></li>
<li>Louisiana Coastal restoration allies clash over plans to tap into BP oil spill fine money for a LA Route 1 bridge <a href="http://ow.ly/TcPy9" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TcPy9</a></li>
<li>Louisiana Environmental Action Network selected as EPA grant recipient to address Grand Bois, Louisiana environmental justice issues <a href="http://ow.ly/TcXKZ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TcXKZ</a></li>
</ul>
Resource Development -<br />
<ul>
<li>Moody's: Illinois Basin is economically the "most resilient" coal mining area due to low mining costs, proximity to coal-fired power plants <a href="http://ow.ly/SWPg2" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/SWPg2</a></li>
<li>Arguments in Iowa are growing over when and how to decide fate of proposed four-state-long crude oil pipeline <a href="http://ow.ly/T1ibK" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1ibK</a></li>
<li>Minnesota regulators hold off on issuing a key permit for the 600-mile Sandpiper pipeline project amid ongoing court challenges <a href="http://ow.ly/T1yqC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1yqC</a></li>
<li>Advocates withdraw their proposal to ban frac sand mining in Houston, County, Minnesota <a href="http://ow.ly/T4E84" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4E84</a></li>
<li>West Virginia reaches an agreement with Patriot Coal that will set aside about $50 million for the coal company’s environmental cleanup responsibilities <a href="http://ow.ly/Tas1O" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Tas1O</a></li>
<li>Groups move to appeal federal judge decision upholding leasing of over 1.6 billion tons of federal coal <a href="http://ow.ly/TbcmY" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TbcmY</a></li>
</ul>
Federal Budget (<i>You can follow the status of all of the fiscal year 2016 appropriation bills on <a href="http://ow.ly/NhxLA" target="_blank">this Congress.gov web page</a></i>) -<br />
<ul>
<li>President Obama vows that he will not sign another short-term funding measure <a href="http://ow.ly/T1mjw" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1mjw</a></li>
</ul>
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 <i>(<a href="http://bit.ly/YBpxlh" target="_blank">and here as a stand-alone calendar</a>) </i><br />
<ul>
<li>Association of State Wetland Managers webinar: Wetland Restoration in Urban and Highly Disturbed Landscapes, <b>October 13</b>, 3 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/T70Xg" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T70Xg</a></li>
<li>America’s Great Waters Coalition schedules three nutrient pollution webinars with focus on six Great Waters, <b>October 13, 20, November 10</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/T1S64" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1S64</a></li>
<li>Public meeting of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana; <b>October 21</b>, 9:30 am, Baton Rouge <a href="http://ow.ly/T4lBy" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T4lBy</a></li>
<li>FEMA Technical Mapping Advisory Council meeting (open to public); re: national flood mapping program; USGS Headquarters, Reston, VA; <b>October 21</b>, 3-4 PM ET <a href="http://ow.ly/T1o2c" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1o2c</a></li>
<li>Missouri workgroup to meet on <b>November 10</b> in continued discussions on proposed numeric nutrient criteria for lakes <a href="http://ow.ly/TafGa" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TafGa</a></li>
<li>Fall 2015 Storm Water Virtual Expo (Free); <b>November 10</b>, 10 am - 5 pm ET <a href="http://ow.ly/T1TDJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1TDJ</a></li>
<li>USDA National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council meeting, Denver, Colorado, <b>November 16</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/Taw55" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Taw55</a> and <a href="http://ow.ly/Taw0T" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Taw0T</a></li>
<li>Save the date: 30th anniversary celebration for the Conservation Reserve Program, Capitol Hill, <b>December 2</b>, 6-8 PM <a href="http://t.co/rerisrtuTV" target="_blank">http://t.co/rerisrtuTV</a></li>
</ul>
e-Newsletters, Publications, Journals, Multimedia -<br />
<ul>
<li>Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy October 6 <i>TUWaterWays</i> e-newsletter <a href="http://ow.ly/T70rQ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T70rQ</a></li>
<li>Green Lands Blue Waters October 6 update <a href="http://ow.ly/T70DC" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T70DC</a></li>
<li>News from Pennsylvania Resources Council - October 2015 <a href="http://ow.ly/T71Xj" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T71Xj</a></li>
<li>Montana Watershed Coordination Council October 8 <i>Watershed News</i> <a href="http://ow.ly/TaK8W" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TaK8W</a></li>
<li>Resources for the Future's Fall 2015 <i>Resources </i>e-magazine <a href="http://ow.ly/TbdFB" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TbdFB</a></li>
</ul>
Other news-<br />
<ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VxfOlkqBgc/VhJo8JfHzuI/AAAAAAAAJ5o/OEh3rEKsBQ8/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VxfOlkqBgc/VhJo8JfHzuI/AAAAAAAAJ5o/OEh3rEKsBQ8/s200/unnamed.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Top Democrats seek Senate floor time on bipartisan bill to permanently reauthorize Land and Water Conservation Fund <a href="http://ow.ly/Talbx" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Talbx</a></li>
<li>Lake Calhoun signs updated to include the lake's Dakota name, Bde Maka Ska (Minnesota) <a href="http://ow.ly/T1dtW" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T1dtW</a></li>
<li>Senators dismiss tying lapsed conservation fund to chemical reform <a href="http://ow.ly/T6ZHD" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T6ZHD</a></li>
<li>Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduces legislation to roll back USEPA liability protections <a href="http://ow.ly/T78sb" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T78sb</a> (referred to Judiciary Committee)</li>
<li>Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the “2016 Pennsylvania River of the Year” through Oct. 23 <a href="http://ow.ly/Ta9bJ" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Ta9bJ</a></li>
<li>EPA awards Friends of the Kaw; Kansas City an environmental justice grant to teach water quality classroom lessons and field work <a href="http://ow.ly/TcZYe" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/TcZYe</a></li>
</ul>
Politics and People-<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Washington Post: </i>Are think tanks obsolete - more like the Detroit of the 1990s than of the 1950s? <a href="http://ow.ly/T71Cs" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/T71Cs</a></li>
<li>City Councilman <b>Jim Strickland</b> defeats incumbent Memphis Mayor <b>A C Wharton</b> <a href="http://ow.ly/Td2HF" target="_blank">http://ow.ly/Td2HF</a></li>
</ul>
<b><i>Your Moment of Zen - </i></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B3dstHURwWI" width="560"></iframe></i></div>
</div>
</div>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-30800266807244982972015-10-08T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-08T05:18:08.762-04:00Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtKWj0eWm2w/Vg0UgH4EYKI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/H1lRUCJD4zs/s1600/the-us-capitol-is-lit-in-washington-february-11-2015-reutersjoshua-roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtKWj0eWm2w/Vg0UgH4EYKI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/H1lRUCJD4zs/s200/the-us-capitol-is-lit-in-washington-february-11-2015-reutersjoshua-roberts.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
On Thursday, October 8, House Republicans will pick Speaker John Boehner's successor to run the chamber and are also expected to select a new slate of leaders to help the new Speaker do his or her job. That political drama will consume much of the House members' collective energy and attention this week, leaving little for bill markups and debates, or hearings. The Senate's calendar is relatively sparse, as well. Both chambers may be looking beyond this week toward the Columbus Day week's recess to follow.<br />
<br />
Below are the congressional committee meetings currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin natural resources. The only currently-planned meetings include wildfire and invasive species hearings, and a Senate Committee business meeting to consider (among other items) a handful of regulatory reform bills that were the subject of a Committee hearing last month, and by and large have bipartisan support.<br />
<br />
Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages and pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link). All times are Eastern. <b>This information will be updated as warranted.</b><br />
<br />
Wednesday<br />
<ul>
<li>Senate Homeland Security and Government Oversight <a href="http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-10/07/2015" target="_blank">business meeting</a> to consider several pieces of legislation, including the following regulatory reform bills: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/708" target="_blank">S. 708</a>, to establish an independent advisory committee to review certain regulations, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1607" target="_blank">S. 1607</a>, to affirm the authority of the President to require independent regulatory agencies to comply with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to executive agencies, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1818" target="_blank">S. 1818</a>, the "Principled Rulemaking Act of 2015," to reform the rule making process of agencies, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1820" target="_blank">S. 1820</a>, to require agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules, and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1817" target="_blank">S. 1817</a>, to improve the effectiveness of major rules in accomplishing their regulatory objectives by promoting retrospective review; 10:00 AM, room 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Thursday<br />
<ul>
<li>House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry <a href="http://agriculture.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-conservation-and-forestry-%E2%80%93-public-hearing-2015-fire-season" target="_blank">hearing</a> to review the 2015 fire season and long-term trends; 10:00 AM, room 1302 Longworth House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Friday</div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">POSTPONED</span></b> - House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Interior <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/examining-invasive-species-policy/" target="_blank">hearing</a> on invasive species policy (details will be forthcoming later this week); 9:00 AM, room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.</li>
</ul>
Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506174415259248380.post-46752507877496692332015-10-02T11:21:00.003-04:002015-10-02T11:21:28.463-04:00What We Learned This Week - "Southern Comfort"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_swE_rZEwYI/Vg6fPCVqa4I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/NGXB0WzJR64/s1600/southern-comfort-label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_swE_rZEwYI/Vg6fPCVqa4I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/NGXB0WzJR64/s200/southern-comfort-label.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<a href="http://ow.ly/SSYge" target="_blank">A large toxic blue-green algal bloom</a> on the Ohio River persisted, prompting event cancellations, and a <a href="http://ow.ly/SN8Gw" target="_blank">health warning</a> from the state of Illinois. There were pointed <a href="http://ow.ly/SR77d" target="_blank">accusations and rebuttals</a> during a Senate subcommittee hearing on the Waters of the U.S. rule. The U.S. EPA <a href="http://ow.ly/ST0Hd" target="_blank">finalized a rule</a> revision that governs toxic metal wastewater discharges from Steam Electric Power Generating plants. That rule may move some coal-fired power plant operators to <a href="http://ow.ly/ST9Ko" target="_blank">close their ash disposal and storage ponds</a>. Minnesota released <a href="http://ow.ly/SUiRs" target="_blank">updated watershed health report cards</a> for each of the state's major watersheds. Missouri <a href="http://ow.ly/SUakj" target="_blank">proposed its 2016 list of impaired surface waters</a>, while Kentucky is <a href="http://ow.ly/SU7EQ" target="_blank">years overdue</a> on coming up with a plan to deal with its polluted waters. A District Court ruling on the U.S. EPA's livestock data rule <a href="http://ow.ly/SRcpb" target="_blank">marked a defeat</a> for environmental groups' information transparency aspirations. A U.S. House subcommittee <a href="http://ow.ly/SO7EC" target="_blank">reviewed research innovations</a> by the nation's agricultural colleges and universities - and coincidentally - the University of Kentucky began constructing a new stall-less barn designed <a href="http://ow.ly/SKxfz" target="_blank">to maximize cow comfort</a>. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service moved to protect several Mississippi River Basin species, including the <a href="http://ow.ly/SQ3M9" target="_blank">massasauga rattlesnake</a>, and the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling <a href="http://ow.ly/ST1pK" target="_blank">butterflies</a>. The agency also <a href="http://ow.ly/SVR1S" target="_blank">officially announce</a><a href="http://ow.ly/SVR1S">d</a> that the greater sage grouse will not be called "endangered" or "threatened." Speaking of endangered, Memphis,Tennessee's mayor, A C Wharton, heads into next Thursday's election as perhaps the <a href="http://ow.ly/ST4vJ" target="_blank">"most endangered" incumbent big city mayor</a> in the country. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf <a href="http://ow.ly/SO69C" target="_blank">vetoed a Republican stopgap state budget</a> and called on Republican leaders to get serious. Land-side U.S. oil production sites <a href="http://ow.ly/SNm2Q" target="_blank">spilled 716,844 barrels</a> of oil, produced water and other material in at least 9,728 incidents in 2014. The popular <a href="http://ow.ly/SSXuB" target="_blank">Land and Water Conservation Fund wasn't popular enough</a> to reauthorize. Wisconsin residents found out that they don't need to <a href="http://ow.ly/SQesc" target="_blank">remove concrete deer</a> from their yards after all. And last but not least, it's "<a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article36854715.html" target="_blank">Zombie Preparedness Month</a>" in Kansas.Mark Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332234947703781883noreply@blogger.com0