Thursday, December 23, 2010
See You in 2011!
It's lights-out for your FNB (Friendly Neighborhood Blogger) and his Blog postings for the year! See you in 2011 with all the news you need to eat on the Mississippi River Basin!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Army Corps Launches Scoping of Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study Amidst Environmental Group Concerns
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' ("Corps") Chicago District has announced that it plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) that it is undertaking as directed by Congress in the 2007 Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA).
For GLMRIS, the Corps plans to explore options and technologies to control aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that might be applied, according to the Corps, "to prevent or reduce the risk of ANS transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through aquatic pathways" (ANS are nonindigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters).
Some environmental groups have expressed concerns that the Corps' use of the phrase "prevent or reduce the risk" of species migration runs contrary to Congressional intent expressed in the 2007 WRDA, which states that the Corps should conduct a study to "prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and other aquatic pathways" (emphasis added). Groups are worried that inclusion of the phrase "or reduce the risk" indicates that the Corps is allowing leeway to scale back their study from the Congressionally-prescribed prevention endpoint (see this December 10, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, for example).
According to the GLMRIS web site, as part of this effort, the Corps' plans to:
The Corps plans to host additional public meetings in different cities. Information regarding these meetings will be posted in the Federal Register and at http://glmris.anl.gov.
Questions regarding this matter may be directed to the GLMRIS Project Manager, Dave Wethington, by phone at (312) 846-5522 or by email at david.m.wethington@usace.army.mil.
For GLMRIS, the Corps plans to explore options and technologies to control aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that might be applied, according to the Corps, "to prevent or reduce the risk of ANS transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through aquatic pathways" (ANS are nonindigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters).
Some environmental groups have expressed concerns that the Corps' use of the phrase "prevent or reduce the risk" of species migration runs contrary to Congressional intent expressed in the 2007 WRDA, which states that the Corps should conduct a study to "prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and other aquatic pathways" (emphasis added). Groups are worried that inclusion of the phrase "or reduce the risk" indicates that the Corps is allowing leeway to scale back their study from the Congressionally-prescribed prevention endpoint (see this December 10, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, for example).
According to the GLMRIS web site, as part of this effort, the Corps' plans to:
- Inventory current and forecast future conditions within the study area;
- Identify aquatic pathways that may exist between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins;
- Inventory current and future potential aquatic nuisance species;
- Analyze possible ANS controls to prevent or reduce the risk of ANS transfer, to include hydraulic separation of the basins;
- Analyze the impacts each ANS control may have on significant natural resources and existing and forecast (sic) uses of the lakes and waterways within the study area; and
- Recommend a plan to prevent or reduce the risk of ANS transfer between the basins. If necessary, the plan will include mitigation measures for impacted waterway uses and significant natural resources.
The Corps plans to host additional public meetings in different cities. Information regarding these meetings will be posted in the Federal Register and at http://glmris.anl.gov.
Questions regarding this matter may be directed to the GLMRIS Project Manager, Dave Wethington, by phone at (312) 846-5522 or by email at david.m.wethington@usace.army.mil.
December Mississippi River Basin Update
Here is the link to the December Update (PDF file) from the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Mississippi River Basin issues. If that link doesn’t work, you can cut and paste the following into your Internet browser’s address field: http://www.nemw.org/images/2010-12%20Upper%20Mississippi%20River%20Basin%20Newsletter.pdf
The December Update contains these items:
Legislation
The December Update contains these items:
Legislation
- 112th Congress (Committee Assignments and Calendars)
- Continuing Resolutions
- USDA Mississippi River Basin Initiative 2011 Fiscal Year Grant Proposal Deadlines Approaching
- NRC Highly Critical of Obama Administration's Principles and Guidelines Update
- US Census Numbers: Rust Belt States to Lose House Seats; Sunbelt to Gain
- Delta Dispatches
- NGRREC E-Newsletter
- Upcoming Conferences, Events and Workshops
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The House Always Wins
(If you are in need of a mental coffee break, here is a link to the OK Go song that inspired this blog post title.)
Earlier today (December 21) the U.S. Census Bureau unveiled a new set of state and national population numbers, shaping the U.S. House seat map by determining which states will be adding House seats and which will be losing them in redistricting next year. As noted by Census Bureau director Robert Groves, "Congress has charged the Census Bureau with doing the arithmetic to compute the number of Members in the U.S. House of Representatives. This report . . . announce(s) the official national population count, report(ing) the state resident population for all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.” Based on the announced population numbers, the 2012 congressional landscape will change, mirroring trends from recent past redistricting, with rust belt states in the northeast and industrial Midwest losing population and House seats, and sunbelt states gaining. States that will gain seats under redistricting include Florida (+2 seats), Georgia (+1), South Carolina (+1), Texas (+4), Arizona (+1), Utah (+1), Nevada (+1), and Washington (+1), while seat losers include New York (-2 seats), Massachusetts (-1), New Jersey (-1), Pennsylvania (-1), Ohio (-2), Michigan (-1), Illinois (-1), Iowa (-1), Missouri (-1) and Louisiana (-1) (a Census Bureau map of House seat gains and losses by state can be viewed here).
Historically, such a shift in House seat apportionment has favored the Republicans rather than the Democrats, with seats shifting to more traditionally Republican states from Democratic strongholds.
The full redistricting picture won't be revealed until early spring 2011 when the Census Bureau releases more detailed state-by-state population data showing where population gains and losses have occurred within states and Congressional districts.
Earlier today (December 21) the U.S. Census Bureau unveiled a new set of state and national population numbers, shaping the U.S. House seat map by determining which states will be adding House seats and which will be losing them in redistricting next year. As noted by Census Bureau director Robert Groves, "Congress has charged the Census Bureau with doing the arithmetic to compute the number of Members in the U.S. House of Representatives. This report . . . announce(s) the official national population count, report(ing) the state resident population for all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.” Based on the announced population numbers, the 2012 congressional landscape will change, mirroring trends from recent past redistricting, with rust belt states in the northeast and industrial Midwest losing population and House seats, and sunbelt states gaining. States that will gain seats under redistricting include Florida (+2 seats), Georgia (+1), South Carolina (+1), Texas (+4), Arizona (+1), Utah (+1), Nevada (+1), and Washington (+1), while seat losers include New York (-2 seats), Massachusetts (-1), New Jersey (-1), Pennsylvania (-1), Ohio (-2), Michigan (-1), Illinois (-1), Iowa (-1), Missouri (-1) and Louisiana (-1) (a Census Bureau map of House seat gains and losses by state can be viewed here).
Historically, such a shift in House seat apportionment has favored the Republicans rather than the Democrats, with seats shifting to more traditionally Republican states from Democratic strongholds.
The full redistricting picture won't be revealed until early spring 2011 when the Census Bureau releases more detailed state-by-state population data showing where population gains and losses have occurred within states and Congressional districts.
Friday, December 17, 2010
House Committee Ranking Member Designations Nearly Completed
House Democratic Caucus members have nearly completed designating the 112th Congress ranking members for the various House committees. The updated list with all of the Ranking Members is located here.
Mississippi River Basin Inititative Grant Funding Deadlines Approaching
Deadlines are rapidly approaching for partners to submit proposals for 2011 Fiscal Year Mississippi River Basin Healthy River Initiative (MRBI) USDA funding. They are December 28 (Conservation Innovation Grant projects), and January 28 (Cooperative Conservation Partner Initiative projects). See this USDA overview for more information and details.
Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week
"Goodbye" to 2010
This will be the last 2010 weekly issue of "Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week." The next weekly issue will be released on Friday, January 7. Look next week for the December issue of our monthly "Mississippi River Basin Update," which will have the latest analysis of any Federal appropriations activity and its potential for impacting work related to the Mississippi River Basin.
I hope all have a peaceful and safe holiday season. See you in 2011.
Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week:
In the States -
This will be the last 2010 weekly issue of "Mississippi River Basin Water Resource News for the Week." The next weekly issue will be released on Friday, January 7. Look next week for the December issue of our monthly "Mississippi River Basin Update," which will have the latest analysis of any Federal appropriations activity and its potential for impacting work related to the Mississippi River Basin.
I hope all have a peaceful and safe holiday season. See you in 2011.
Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week:
In the States -
- Wisconsin takes step to reduce phosphorus waterway pollution with new rule going into effect this month http://bit.ly/gpy0T4
- WI DNR launches effort to improve Wisconsin River water quality degraded by phosphorus & related algal blooms http://bit.ly/gPqC2e
- 1,000 Friends of Minnesota Releases Investment Guide for New Governor http://bit.ly/f4X3d8
- Univ of MN VP at heart of "Troubled Waters" Mississippi River film cancellation controversy will step down http://bit.ly/fsue6o
- WI conservationists bracing for feared attack on environmental protections during upcoming legislative session http://bit.ly/fP9Q0p
- Quad Cities Waterkeeper settles Clean Water enforcement case against Milan IL mobile home park http://bit.ly/e7Tfcy
- IA failing to warn people to cut back on eating locally caught fish contaminated with mercury/other pollutants http://bit.ly/fZBM6g
- 25 states; 3 tribes to share >$395M in Fed funds to clean abandoned coal mines (includes Mississippi R basin states) http://bit.ly/hqfRvC
- Army Corps of Engineers: degradation and habitat loss have been exacerbated in Illinois River islands & side channels http://bit.ly/hb9mXJ
- RFPs for USDA's Agricultural Water Enhancement Program & Cooperative Conservation & Partnership Initiative out today http://bit.ly/fYzvqd
- Ethanol subsidies add fuel to tax bill discussions, setting stage for 2011 debates http://bit.ly/i39Kid
- Senator Chuck Grassley (IA): next year not expecting to maintain status quo on ethanol tax credits http://bit.ly/ibKBmL
- Ag Nutrient Policy Council attorney: Chesapeake Bay "model for what EPA may try & do for Mississippi River Basin" http://bit.ly/dX2HGn
- Farm regions in ND, SD, NE & KS avoid most financial collapse effects & lead recovery, thanks to strong exports http://bit.ly/ck0mZX
- University of Calgary authors evaluate the ethics of biofuels http://bit.ly/dSxrJ1
- Fargo-based energy company moving forward with plans for nation’s first beet ethanol plant http://bit.ly/et1iUW
- Op-ed: Contrary to Soybean Council assertion, turbidity in MN River related to ag practices & not 'natural' http://bit.ly/huwz72
- Incoming House Ag Comm Chair Lucas: direct payments may be on table in Farm Bill debate http://bit.ly/igOVef (audio)
- USDA: 2010 net farm income forecast at $81.6 B, up 31 % from 2009 and 26 % higher than the 10-year ave. http://bit.ly/epEiOf (pdf)
- Ag groups send "Dear Senator" letter opposing CWA "changes" in Chesapeake Clean Water & Ecosystem Restoration Act http://bit.ly/hHUNnK (PDF)
- Mississippi River Research Consortium 43rd Annual Meeting April 28-29, La Crosse, WI http://bit.ly/fXFRoj
- 27th Annual Bald Eagle Watch along Mississippi River on Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Fulton, IL http://bit.ly/gLJ9pT
- WI DNR's Frank wants gray wolf removed from endangered species list http://bit.ly/elYT7u
- Ag officials ask Minnesotans to watch for Oriental bittersweet invasive plant http://bit.ly/eoyl4S & http://bit.ly/ePdsVo
- Minnesota DNR praised by USFWS for aquatic invasive species efforts http://bit.ly/dPIXth
- White House outlines $47M plan to keep Asian carp from passing from Mississippi River system into Great Lakes http://yhoo.it/e6K9IL
- NASA: Rising consumption of food and fiber will threaten water supplies and ecosystems http://bit.ly/eBHdKb
- Senate passes bill to reduce lead in drinking water http://bit.ly/eJJALK now moves to House for consideration before end of year
- Army Corps of Engineers proposes $2.9B restoration for Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet environmental damage http://bit.ly/g1hzhQ
- Major Appropriation Additions and Subtractions in the House-Passed Long-Term Continuing Resolution http://bit.ly/fSrUol
- Uncomfortable over earmarks ban, Rep. Bachmann (R-MN-6th) wants to ‘redefine’ term http://bit.ly/gdjHUd
- OH EPA chief to resign before new administration takes office http://bit.ly/grRkCu
- Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD): Water, wildlife, lands omnibus bill has votes but lacks time http://bit.ly/fkuiMM
- House Republicans will cut 84 committee slots in 112th Congress leading to scramble for slots http://bit.ly/fnvPoI
- House Ag Comm Chair-elect Lucas announces 18 new GOP members of that Committee for 112th Congress http://bit.ly/eYVvHD
- Senate's $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill collapses as 9 GOP senators pull support http://bit.ly/eAnti0
- Today GOP is expected to reveal House rules package of changes that will include new budgetary mechanisms http://bit.ly/ha3oxA
- On today's House schedule: "Possible Further Action on Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011" http://bit.ly/9Jj2Zp
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