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Archive of Environment on Monday May 12, 2008
State makes erosion in villages a priority
State officials say they are ready to take a leadership role in protecting coastal villages threatened by the sea, committing millions of dollars in the state budget to a new list of priority erosion-control projects. Read More
Federal, state, tribal firefighters join to battle Baboquivari blaze
A wildfire is burning in the Baboquivari Mountains southwest of Tucson. Read More
Stop whining, Schwarzenegger tells carmakers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met privately with seven auto executives over California's attempt to impose strict emission rules, but let it be known publicly that he told the carmakers to stop whining and start producing. Read More
Governor presses fire defense
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed firefighters to step up enforcement of state fire laws, requiring that homeowners maintain a 100-foot defensible space around buildings, as he signed an executive order Friday to begin mobilizing firefighters for the fire season. Read More
Denver drivers learn how to boost fuel economy
Around 400 Denver residents, including the city's mayor, are part of an ongoing Read More
Florida wildfires close I-95; hundreds evacuated
Wildfires wreaked havoc in Central Florida on Sunday, shutting down Interstate 95 and other major roads, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of coastal residents and keeping firefighters, deputies, relief workers and state troopers on alert throughout the night. Read More
Once again, Florida springs protection fails in session
To some springs supporters, it seemed a modest proposal. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, called for a pilot project in Marion County to establish protection zones for Silver and Rainbow Springs. Creating the zones would lead to reductions in nitrogen from farms, sewage treatment plants and septic tanks. Read More
Legislator wants Lingle to offer help
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii - A state lawmaker is asking Gov. Linda Lingle to assist Big Island residents affected by the volcanic smog, or "vog," from Kilauea volcano. Read More
State-regulated pig hunts may expand
Pig hunts and traps in Manoa, Makiki and Tantalus have bagged nearly 70 pigs since they began last year and may expand to other parts of O'ahu. Read More
State officials tour fish farm in S. Idaho
TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- Water needed by this south-central Idaho city will likely reduce by millions the number of rainbow trout produced at a fish farm recently purchased by the state, officials said. Read More
Analysis - coal debate far from over
Pigs became a favorite metaphor as legislators debated proposals clearing the way for expansion of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas and restricting the power of the regulator who has blocked it. Read More
Kansas group appointed to look at climate change
A new group will soon tackle the politically charged issue of reducing climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions in Kansas. Read More
Louuisiana sales-tax holiday on storm supplies set
NEW ORLEANS - An upcoming state sales-tax holiday on flashlights, portable generators and other supplies aims to help Louisiana shoppers prepare for the hurricane season. Read More
Volunteers creating a home for state butterfly
Tucked in a new greenhouse in a former maintenance yard, volunteers at Black Hill Regional Park are cultivating flora native to Maryland -- and, if all goes well, new turf for the state's official butterfly. Read More
Whale protection plan put on hold
The shipping industry has succeeded in doing what Maine's lobster industry has only dreamed of: It has put a federal plan to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale on hold. Read More
New Michigan campaign aims to draw more out-of-state tourists
If you get a little tingle whenever you see Michigan's lakes, waterfalls and beaches featured in a Pure Michigan ad, Travel Michigan head George Zimmermann knows just what you're feeling. Read More
Missouri gets 'D' in cycling
Despite all that, Missouri lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to cycling and walking as a means of commuting. Read More
Tornado death toll climbs to 14 in Missouri
SENECA, Mo. - Crews continued searching for survivors and culling through the wreckage of demolished homes Sunday after a killer tornado swept through this sparsely populated countryside, killing 14 people. Read More
Gov. Easley sees storm damage in Triad
Gov. Mike Easley toured tornado damage Saturday in three North Carolina counties and said in addition to one fatality that eight people were injured and scores of homes were damaged. Read More
Farm bill includes $2.5 billion for research
WASHINGTON -- For decades, interests as diverse as North Carolina strawberry growers, Florida citrus farmers and California wine grape growers had little interest in the farm bill that Congress passes every five years. Read More
Corn, cattle producers prefer quieter approach to ethanol debate
The argument over how much of a factor ethanol has become in driving up food prices has gotten hot enough in the recent days to put Rick Tolman, the president of the National Corn Growers, at a podium to play some defense. Read More
Can Corzine still pass as a liberal? He thinks so
TRENTON, N.J. - You never know which Gov. Jon S. Corzine is going to show up at the State House these days. Read More
Producers react to pit rules adoption
FARMINGTON, N.M. - Despite New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission Chairman Mark Fesmire's contention the state's oil and gas industry can produce its products without hurting the environment, industry sources say debate over the recently approved pit rules will continue. Read More
Ohio wildlife officials want people off state land
FREDERICKTOWN, Ohio - State wildlife officials are warning people who live near Knox Lake to stop mowing grass on state property and treating the land as their own. Read More
Tornado-ravaged Oklahoma town might not rebuild
PICHER, Okla. -- Sue Sigle was hoping the government would offer more money for her home before she moves away from this pollution-scarred town. Then the tornado came. Read More
Rescuers search wreckage after at least 23 are killed in storms
Emergency crews searched through wreckage on Sunday from violent storms that left a path of destruction from the Midwest to the South and killed more than 20 people in Missouri, Oklahoma and Georgia. Read More
State parks commission OKs purchase of DeLaura Beach
ASTORIA, Ore. -- The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Commission has approved buying some new beachfront property for $1.54 million. Read More
Nashville - Bredesen to outline budget cuts today
Proposed new state spending such as $10 million for a state fund used to respond quickly to opportunities for preserving land could fall victim today to Gov. Phil Bredesen?s budget knife, a top administration official said. Read More
Idaho irrigators fight Wyo effort
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho -- The Idaho Water Users Association has come out against a federal bill to designate 387 miles of the Snake River in Wyoming as "wild and scenic," out of concern that historic water rights could be impinged in eastern Idaho. Read More
Montana counters Wyo filing
Montana's attorney general said Friday that a water agreement with Wyoming protects the decades-old rights of Montana residents to use water from Yellowstone River. Read More
States remove local barriers to eco-friendly homes
States eager to promote renewable energy are increasingly passing laws that allow homeowners to overcome local opposition to home solar panels and wind turbines. Read More
The politics of commencement
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the nation's most powerful Catholics, but this year the only commencement address she gave was at one of the eight campuses of Miami Dade College. Read More
Analysis -- Italian waste proposal stokes fear of a toxic precedent
It might seem like a relatively small thing, EnergySolutions' plan to take about six railroad cars of radioactive waste from Italy. Read More
Utah gets $850K for imperiled species
The U.S. Department of Interior has awarded more than $60 million to wildlife programs in 50 states and six territories for the conservation and recovery of imperiled species. Utah's share of the grant money is just over $850,000. Read More
State stocking trophy trout
Anglers with dreams of big trout can see those fantasies turn to reality thanks to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's expanded trophy trout stocking program. Read More
Saving wetlands -- a broken promise
This year, even as Gov. Christine Gregoire, the newly formed Puget Sound Partnership and teams of scientists all work to protect and restore Puget Sound, the management of wetlands in Washington remains in disarray. It's part of a pattern of failure that taints Washington's "green" veneer. Read More
State reviewing procedures in response to scathing report on snowstorm response
Nearly three months after the release of a scathing report criticizing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for its handling of the historic Feb. 6 snowstorm and resulting Interstate backup, the DOT is reviewing its procedures but has taken few concrete steps to address concerns in the report. Read More
Lyme disease infections up nearly 25% in Wisconsin
Lyme disease cases rose by nearly 25% in 2007 from the year before, state health officials reported Friday. Read More
Strategy shifts to protect ash trees
Many healthy ash trees in Wisconsin could escape the chain saw under a new strategy aimed at fighting the emerald ash borer. Read More
UW plans wind energy center
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- University of Wyoming trustees on Friday approved initial planning for a building that will house a UW Wind Energy Research Center, including a large, closed-loop wind tunnel. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Phantom voter stalks Ala. State House
An Alabama lawmaker says someone’s been using his voting machine. Florida’s House Speaker locks the doors and turns off Internet access to make legislators pay attention. And Mayberry’s Sheriff Taylor endorses a North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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