News

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) today released a draft Initial Funded Priorities List (draft FPL). The Council, which is comprised of trustees from the five coastal states, affected by the spill, and the federal partners, is proposing to focus on 10 key watersheds across the Gulf. Using funds from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater Inc., the Council is seeking to provide near-term, on-the-ground ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to build a foundation for future success as additional funds become available from other parties. The Council is proposing to focus on 10 key watersheds across the Gulf in order to concentrate and leverage funds to address critical ecosystem needs in high priority locations. The Council also proposes a suite of Gulf-wide investments designed to support holistic ecosystem restoration and lay the foundation for future success.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will be installing electronic monitoring equipment on July 27, 2015 to help conduct a water sampling survey on the Leaf River. During the survey, a bright red, non-toxic dye will be released into the water. This dye is not toxic or hazardous. People should not be alarmed if they notice red coloration in the water. The dye is not harmful to people, plants, wildlife, fish or seafood. 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a water contact advisory Tuesday for Josey Creek in Starkville, MS. The advisory extends from the Hwy 182 W crossing north to the confluence with Trim Cane Creek. MDEQ recommends that people avoid water contact recreation such as swimming or wading in these waters. In addition, people should avoid eating fish from these waters until further notice. 

Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood announced today in Biloxi that Mississippi has reached an agreement in principle with BP to settle claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The settlement will bring approximately $1.5 billion in additional relief to Mississippi over the next 17 years. Combined with $659 million in early funding, Mississippi is receiving a total of nearly $2.2 billion in compensation.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) awarded the City of Charleston a solid waste assistance grant of $15,000 that will be used by the city for clean up of illegal dumping. 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has awarded Warren County a $54,000 waste tire grant to continue the local waste tire collection program for small quantity generators of waste tires. 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) awarded the City of Hattiesburg a solid waste assistance grant of $75,000 that will be used by the city for a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event in November of 2015. A specific date has not yet determined. 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has awarded the Harrison County Utility Authority a $51,500 waste tire grant to continue the local waste tire collection program for small quantity generators of waste tires.