Showing posts with label resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resources. Show all posts
Monday, December 2, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Fish at Burr Oak
Part of aquatic display at Burr Oak Nature Center, Blue Springs, MO. November 30, 2013.
Friday, July 27, 2012
EPA Awards Over $11 Million to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to Support the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program
Press release:
EPA
Awards Over $11 Million to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to Support
the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program
(DALLAS – July 27, 2012) The Environmental Protection
Agency has awarded $11,419,000 to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to
support the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The funds will be used by
the state of Oklahoma to provide loans and other types of financial assistance
to local communities and intermunicipal and interstate agencies for wastewater
improvements. The loans will be used to improve water quality in streams, lakes
and rivers benefiting aquatic life, drinking water sources and eliminating
diseases caused by raw sewage discharges.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program
is authorized by the federal Clean Water Act to provide an innovative method of
financing a range of environmental projects. Under the program, the EPA provides
grants to all 50 states and Puerto Rico to capitalize state loan funds. The
states, in turn, make loans to communities, individuals and others for
high-priority water quality activities. As money is paid back into the revolving
fund, new loans are made to other recipients to maintain water quality.
Additional Information on EPA grants is
available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is
available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
# # #
Friday, July 13, 2012
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.
# # #
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
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.
# # #
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
EPA Orders Racetrack to Stop Discharges
News Release from EPA Region 6:
“Companies must operate in a way that protects vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “When a facility fails to meet its responsibilities, the EPA will work closely with our state partner agencies to enforce the law.”
On November 15, 2011, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) conducted an on-site inspection and found that the facility did not have a properly designed storm water runoff containment structure. The facility also does not have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit which allows facilities to discharge to waters of the U.S.
Pollutants commonly associated with animal waste or manure often include nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, bacteria and sediments. These pollutants can clog rivers and streams with algae, kill fish by reducing oxygen in the water, transmit waterborne diseases and impair the enjoyment of waterways.
To comply with the order, the Downs and EXPO New Mexico must immediately take all necessary actions to prevent future discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and notify the EPA of any discharges of pollutants from the facility into waters of the U.S.
For more information about animal feeding operations, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html
EPA Orders Albuquerque Racetrack to Stop Discharges to Protect Rio Grande
(DALLAS – January 25, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to halt discharges of animal waste, industrial run-off and other pollutants into the Rio Grande. The action was taken against the Downs at Albuquerque Inc. and EXPO New Mexico, a 93-acre race track and casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that accommodates almost 1,400 horses during racing season.
“Companies must operate in a way that protects vital water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “When a facility fails to meet its responsibilities, the EPA will work closely with our state partner agencies to enforce the law.”
On November 15, 2011, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) conducted an on-site inspection and found that the facility did not have a properly designed storm water runoff containment structure. The facility also does not have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit which allows facilities to discharge to waters of the U.S.
Pollutants commonly associated with animal waste or manure often include nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, bacteria and sediments. These pollutants can clog rivers and streams with algae, kill fish by reducing oxygen in the water, transmit waterborne diseases and impair the enjoyment of waterways.
To comply with the order, the Downs and EXPO New Mexico must immediately take all necessary actions to prevent future discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and notify the EPA of any discharges of pollutants from the facility into waters of the U.S.
For more information about animal feeding operations, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm
More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html
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