Two Bald Eagles

From the U.S. Department of the Interior:

Here's a cool pic of two Bald Eagles staring each other down at Upper Mississippi Wildlife & Fish Refuge. Located in four states along the Mississippi River -- Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois -- the refuge encompasses one of the largest blocks of floodplain habitat in the lower 48 states. Bordered by steep wooded bluffs that rise 100 to 600 feet above the river valley, the Mississippi River corridor and refuge offer scenic beauty and productive fish and wildlife habitat unmatched in the heart of America. Photo of a mature and juvenile Bald Eagle by Stan Bousson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. — at Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge.

Big Bend National Park

From the U.S. Department of the Interior:

This magical place is Big Bend National Park in Far West Texas. With an elevation ranging from less than 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to nearly 8,000 feet in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains and an ever-changing river. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States. Photo by Erik A. Walker. — at Big Bend National Park.

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Every fall, as northern areas begin to freeze, thousands of bald eagles migrate south from Canada and the Great Lakes states in search of open water.

Some eagles will travel as far south as the Gulf Coast.

A few are usually seen in the state of Missouri by mid-autumn, but most arrive in December.

In some cases, an eagle will return to the same location each winter.

Where waterfowl are abundant, eagles feed primarily on dead and injured waterfowl; whereas, at rivers and lakes, fish make up most of the eagles' diet.

A few bald eagles remain in Missouri to nest, but most begin moving back north again in late February.

Eagles are among the largest birds of prey in the world.  Their life expectancy in the wild is about 30 years, while some bald eagles have lived up to 50 years in captivity.

They fly 20 to 40 miles per hour in normal flight, but can reach speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while diving.

An eagle's vision is five to six times sharper than a human's.

When it was adopted as our national emblem in 1782, the bald eagle flourished in great numbers.

Nesting bald eagles used to be common in Missouri.

Since that time, the numbers of bald eagles have declined drastically.

Pesticides and habitat destruction nearly wiped-out the eagle population.

Bald eagles began making a comeback after DDT was banned in 1972 and a restoration program was begun.

During the 1980s, more than 70 young bald eagles were released from artificial nests in Missouri.

Because of this program, together with the eagle's natural tendency to return to its former nesting range, eagles once again are nesting in Missouri.

Eagle nests are found throughout the state, mostly in southeast and west-central Missouri. They are usually built in the tops of large sycamore trees.

-  Adapted from a video by the Missouri Department of Conservation.



In Clarksville, Missouri.

January 2015.

Photo courtesy of Jim Gilbert:

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In Clarksville, Missouri.

January 2015.

Photo courtesy of Jim Gilbert:

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In Clarksville, Missouri.

January 2015.

Photo courtesy of Jim Gilbert:

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In Clarksville, Missouri.

January 2015.

Photo courtesy of Jim Gilbert:

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In Clarksville, Missouri.

January 2015.

Photo courtesy of Jim Gilbert:

EPA Seeks IDNR Action to Correct Deficiencies in Iowa’s CAFO Permitting and Compliance Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

EPA Seeks IDNR Action to Correct Deficiencies in Iowa’s CAFO Permitting and Compliance Program

Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov/

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., July 12, 2012) - EPA’s initial findings from an informal investigation of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) permit program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) disclose several correctable deficiencies.

EPA’s investigation was carried out in response to a petition for withdrawal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program authorization from IDNR that was filed in 2007 by the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Sierra Club and the Environmental Integrity Project. Federal regulations allow interested parties to file these petitions when they are concerned that a state is not meeting the minimum NPDES program requirements.

EPA’s initial findings identify deficiencies in IDNR’s NPDES program that the state agency will need to correct. Among others, EPA found that IDNR does not have an adequate program to assess whether unpermitted CAFOs need NPDES permits. The findings also note that IDNR must clarify its authority to issue NPDES permits to confinement (roofed) CAFOs that discharge.

EPA also found that in a number of cases involving Clean Water Act (CWA) violations, IDNR failed to take timely and adequate enforcement actions, and assess adequate penalties. The report containing the initial findings is available at www.epa.gov/region7/water.

“Although today’s report highlights areas for improvement, IDNR has made substantial strides in identifying large open feedlots and requiring those operators to apply for permits,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “As a national leader in beef, swine and poultry production, with roughly 7,000 animal feeding operations, it is imperative that Iowa have an NPDES permitting, compliance and enforcement program that complies with federal law and protects the quality of Iowa’s rivers, lakes and streams.”

The issuance of the initial report is the first step in the process in which EPA will work with IDNR to correct the deficiencies. EPA has asked that IDNR provide a written response to the report, within 60 days, describing the actions IDNR has taken or will take to correct the deficiencies, including a proposed plan and timeline to address the deficiencies. EPA intends to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on IDNR proposals to correct the deficiencies.

Any discharge of pollutants into a river or stream is a violation of the Clean Water Act unless the discharge is authorized by an NPDES permit. NPDES, a part of the Clean Water Act, requires CAFOs that discharge to obtain a permit from EPA or authorized states. The Clean Water Act also requires EPA and authorized states to assess whether CAFOs discharge and need an NPDES permit.

# # #

Hinkson Creek Meeting Scheduled March 28 in Columbia, MO

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Hinkson Creek Meeting Scheduled March 28 in Columbia, Mo.

Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov

Environmental News

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY

(Kansas City, Kan., March 20, 2012) - Representatives of EPA; Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Boone County, Mo., Commission; City of Columbia, Mo.; and University of Missouri will host a public informational meeting on March 28 in Columbia, Mo., about an innovative partnership to carry out a pollutant reduction plan to restore Hinkson Creek’s water quality.

A cooperative agreement will be announced which lays out goals and objectives to improve the creek’s water quality. The agreement aims to use each entity’s specific authority to produce a healthy stream attaining all of its designated beneficial uses.

WHAT: Public informational meeting on Hinkson Creek pollutant reduction plan

WHEN: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2012; and remarks at 5:15 p.m.

WHERE: Activity and Recreation Center, Room A, 1701 West Ash Street, Columbia, Mo. 65203

WHO: Remarks by EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks; Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Sarah Parker Pauley; Boone County Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill; Boone County Commissioner Karen Miller; and Mayor of Columbia Bob McDavid.

EPA established a Total Maximum Daily Load, or pollutant reduction plan, for Hinkson Creek on January 28, 2011. The plan calls for significant pollutant reductions to improve the stream’s water quality, as required by the Clean Water Act.

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Anacostia River Revitalization Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 9, 2012

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson Announces Creation of Anacostia River Revitalization Fund
 

EPA Administrator was joined by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to announce $1 million fund

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and David O’Neill of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton of the District of Columbia this morning at Marvin Gaye Park to announce the creation of The Anacostia River Revitalization Fund.  The fund, which will invest $1 million in restoration activities this year, with a total goal of investing  $5 million over the next three years, will be used protect and restore the Anacostia River and to create a national model for watershed conservation. NFWF, in partnership with EPA and the DC Department of the Environment and with funding from corporate sponsors, created the fund, which will award grants to local partnering organizations.

"Clean waters and outdoor recreation can boost urban communities' human, environmental and economic health," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Through the Anacostia River Revitalization Fund, we're able to partner with state and local government agencies, private foundations and corporate sponsors to make the most of our resources and ensure our restoration efforts are as effective as possible."

“We are proud to be a partnering with EPA, the DC government, and our corporate sponsors to help restore this important river – for fish and wildlife, for clean water, for the residents of DC and for its neighborhoods where people live, work and play,” said David O’Neill of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “It is our goal to build this Fund so that it attracts new investments that will accelerate the restoration of the Anacostia and result in meaningful and measurable improvements to the river and to the communities that rest along its banks.”

"I'm excited and pleased that the Environmental Protection Agency is joining the District of Columbia and regional partners in our ongoing efforts to revitalize the Anacostia River," D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray said. "This important natural resource was neglected for too many years -- but it is central to our city's geography and increasingly to its identity as a beautiful, sustainable, livable city with miles of waterfront ripe for public use and private development."

“This important funding comes at a critical time, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the District and Maryland in the early stages of implementation of the 10-year Anacostia River cleanup plan mandated by my bill, the Anacostia Watershed Initiative Act”, said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. These funds will move the District forward with the message that the city is serious about cleaning up the Anacostia River.”  
Specific grant selection criteria will be mutually agreed upon by NFWF, EPA, DDOE and other funding partners.  Priority will be given to projects focused on key tenants of the fund – improving water quality in the Anacostia River and its tributaries; achieving habitat restoration priorities for the Anacostia; engaging, employing and educating local residents and businesses; connecting the public to the Anacostia and its tributaries through enhanced outdoor recreation and volunteer opportunities; leveraging public and private funding to make the greatest conservation impact; and emphasizing the neighborhood benefits of watershed restoration to local economic development, public health, livability and as a neighborhood asset.

The establishment of the Anacostia River Restoration Fund is another step in advancing President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative. Through AGO, the administration is opening up access to millions of acres for recreation, designating thousands of miles of new land and water trails, increasing youth employment in conservation jobs, helping parks and green space become more accessible and clean in urban areas, and making historic investments in large landscapes such as the Everglades.

The Anacostia River is one of seven pilot locations as part of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, an innovative union of 11 federal agencies, led by EPA, that focus on both natural resources and economic development and aims to use environmental restoration to protect people’s health and maximize economic growth.

Today’s announcement in Anacostia is one of several conservation announcements made nationwide over the past two weeks as part of the White House Conference on Conservation—Growing America’s Outdoor Heritage and Economy.  Last Friday’s conference convened hundreds of boaters, hunters, anglers, farmers, ranchers, land conservationists, historic preservationists, outdoor recreationists, small business owners, local governments, tribal leaders and other key stakeholders, strengthening partnerships and identifying next steps in tackling issues surrounding conservation and the great outdoors in urban cities and rural communities. During the conference, Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray participated in a panel discussion led by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, highlighting the importance of rivers and clean water to our cities.