Most confined animal feeding operations do an excellent job of controlling manure and wastewater. State permitting processes require management plans that protect water resources. Now, the EPA has joined the process making it even more expensive for livestock operations to become permitted.
New Requirements for Controlling Manure, Wastewater from Large Animal Feeding Operations
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
New Funds for Wetlands Protection
Protection of wetlands is critical for waterfowl and for protection of our water resources.
Secretary Kempthorne Announces $26 Million for Wetlands Grants, $4.1 Million for Refuge Acquisitions
Secretary Kempthorne Announces $26 Million for Wetlands Grants, $4.1 Million for Refuge Acquisitions
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Carbon-Viral Connection
This amazing planet we live on is equipped with marvelous systems for maintaining itself. We are only beginning the process of understanding how it all works. How can we be so arrogant as to believe that our puny efforts affect "climate change" in any meaningful way?
Viruses are hidden drivers of ocean's nutrient cycle
PARIS (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had discovered deep-sea viruses to be an unexpectedly potent driver of the so-called carbon cycle that sustains oceanic life and helps dampen global warming.
Under the carbon cycle, microscopic algae at the sea surface suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Many of these microscopic creatures, called prokaryotes, become infected by naturally-occurring marine viruses.
When they die, their...(complete article here).
Viruses are hidden drivers of ocean's nutrient cycle
PARIS (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had discovered deep-sea viruses to be an unexpectedly potent driver of the so-called carbon cycle that sustains oceanic life and helps dampen global warming.
Under the carbon cycle, microscopic algae at the sea surface suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Many of these microscopic creatures, called prokaryotes, become infected by naturally-occurring marine viruses.
When they die, their...(complete article here).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Water for Irrigation: Time Now to Plan
Many times we hear of the competing needs between water for cities and water for agriculture. It is nice to hear a voice that recognizes that water -- irrigation water -- is necessary to feed the world. Where will we get sufficient water for irrigation? It is a question that must be answered quickly when we consider the rapidly growing world population.
Water everywhere, and not a drop to grow
Limited availability of fresh water is often overlooked as a cause of food scarcity and environmental decline, according to Colin Chartres. Governments should be ramping up efforts to make sure we have enough to grow crops as well as enough to drink, he argues.
This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises.
As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%.
When we examine the...(complete article here).
Water everywhere, and not a drop to grow
Limited availability of fresh water is often overlooked as a cause of food scarcity and environmental decline, according to Colin Chartres. Governments should be ramping up efforts to make sure we have enough to grow crops as well as enough to drink, he argues.
This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises.
As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%.
When we examine the...(complete article here).
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New USGS Report on Ground Water Availability
New water report available from the USGS.
Ground-Water Availability in the United States
Scientists proposed a strategy to study the Nation's ground-water supply as part of the Federal government's effort to help address the Nation's increasing competition for water.
Declines in ground-water levels have led to...(complete news release here).
Ground-Water Availability in the United States
Scientists proposed a strategy to study the Nation's ground-water supply as part of the Federal government's effort to help address the Nation's increasing competition for water.
Declines in ground-water levels have led to...(complete news release here).
Friday, August 8, 2008
California Desalination Plant OK'd
This is something that I believe will become common in the near future.
Dry California OKs huge desalination plant
San Diego to get fresh water; Sierra Club cites massive fish kills via intake
OCEANSIDE, Calif. - The California Coastal Commission approved a plan to build the Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant north of...(complete article here).
Dry California OKs huge desalination plant
San Diego to get fresh water; Sierra Club cites massive fish kills via intake
OCEANSIDE, Calif. - The California Coastal Commission approved a plan to build the Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant north of...(complete article here).
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Brush, Water, Grass and Carbon Sequestration
The article below is one that opens a lot of issues for me. Juniper, mesquite and other woody brush referred to in the article are invasive species overrunning grassland. One of the reasons the grassland has been overrun is fire suppression practices.
The article discusses the concept that allowing the brush to remain is a method for sequestering carbon in an effort to combat "global warming." The natural order would be to allow fire to periodically remove large portions of the brush and sculpt a mixed prairie grassland with patches of brush interspersed with large open areas of grassland and occasional oak trees. Of course fire would release carbon into the atmosphere. It seems that failure to burn brush in California has created an extreme fire hazard.
I keep getting the feeling that we don't know enough to know what we don't know....
Research Could Change Perception of Woody Species Use of Water in Edwards Plateau
July 30, 2008
Writer(s): Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact(s): Dr. Jim Heilman, 979-845-7169, j-heilman@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – New research suggests that juniper, mesquite and other woody brush that have overrun grasslands on the Edwards Plateau of west-central Texas aren’t the water hogs that they were thought to be.
Further, bulldozing this brush may not be wise, because it would remove plants that take in lots of carbon from the atmosphere, making them a potential ally in efforts to counter global warming.
These are the findings of Dr. Jim Heilman, a Texas AgriLife Research scientist and professor of environmental physics in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University.
“People have this idea that trees are suction pumps, that if you have all of this landscape and big trees, much more water is used,” he said. “Not true. What drives water use is...(complete article here).
The article discusses the concept that allowing the brush to remain is a method for sequestering carbon in an effort to combat "global warming." The natural order would be to allow fire to periodically remove large portions of the brush and sculpt a mixed prairie grassland with patches of brush interspersed with large open areas of grassland and occasional oak trees. Of course fire would release carbon into the atmosphere. It seems that failure to burn brush in California has created an extreme fire hazard.
I keep getting the feeling that we don't know enough to know what we don't know....
Research Could Change Perception of Woody Species Use of Water in Edwards Plateau
July 30, 2008
Writer(s): Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact(s): Dr. Jim Heilman, 979-845-7169, j-heilman@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – New research suggests that juniper, mesquite and other woody brush that have overrun grasslands on the Edwards Plateau of west-central Texas aren’t the water hogs that they were thought to be.
Further, bulldozing this brush may not be wise, because it would remove plants that take in lots of carbon from the atmosphere, making them a potential ally in efforts to counter global warming.
These are the findings of Dr. Jim Heilman, a Texas AgriLife Research scientist and professor of environmental physics in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University.
“People have this idea that trees are suction pumps, that if you have all of this landscape and big trees, much more water is used,” he said. “Not true. What drives water use is...(complete article here).
Land Accretion May Offset Losses in Bangladesh
Perhaps the globe is warming, perhaps it is not. If it is warming, by how much? If it is warming, what will be the impact? The dire claims of catastrophic human impact from global warming are based in incomplete knowledge. The more that we learn, the more that we realise we don't know what we think we know. The article below seems to emphasize that fact.
Bangladesh gaining land, not losing: scientists
DHAKA (AFP) - New data shows that Bangladesh's landmass is increasing, contradicting forecasts that the South Asian nation will be under the waves by the end of the century, experts say.
Scientists from the Dhaka-based Center for Environment and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) have studied 32 years of satellite images and say Bangladesh's landmass has increased by 20 square kilometres (eight square miles) annually.
Maminul Haque Sarker, head of the department at the government-owned centre that looks at boundary changes, told...(complete article here).
Bangladesh gaining land, not losing: scientists
DHAKA (AFP) - New data shows that Bangladesh's landmass is increasing, contradicting forecasts that the South Asian nation will be under the waves by the end of the century, experts say.
Scientists from the Dhaka-based Center for Environment and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) have studied 32 years of satellite images and say Bangladesh's landmass has increased by 20 square kilometres (eight square miles) annually.
Maminul Haque Sarker, head of the department at the government-owned centre that looks at boundary changes, told...(complete article here).
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Carter Seeks to Block Water for Georgia
It seems like only yesterday that Georgia was concerned about running out of water. The warnings were out that Atlanta had only a few weeks supply before they would be required to ship water into the drought stricken city. So, why does former President Jimmy Carter want to ensure that these new dams are not built?
Carter Takes Up New Fight Railing Against Georgia Dams
Carter Takes Up New Fight Railing Against Georgia Dams
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Recycling Water in Southern California
I believe this will become increasingly common. Aside from the psychological issues, there's nothing wrong with it.
From Toilet to Tap: Waste Water Converted to Drinking Water in Southern California
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Would you drink your toilet water? If you live in Southern California, you might not have a choice.
The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District gave the green light this month to a $300,000 contract involving a treatment plant that converts waste water into purified drinking water and stores it in the San Gabriel Basin, according to The San Bernardino County Sun.
It's a plan intended to protect area residents during droughts.
"This will help us...(complete article here).
From Toilet to Tap: Waste Water Converted to Drinking Water in Southern California
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Would you drink your toilet water? If you live in Southern California, you might not have a choice.
The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District gave the green light this month to a $300,000 contract involving a treatment plant that converts waste water into purified drinking water and stores it in the San Gabriel Basin, according to The San Bernardino County Sun.
It's a plan intended to protect area residents during droughts.
"This will help us...(complete article here).
Monday, July 21, 2008
They Can't Drink Oil....
Maybe it's time for a new food-for-oil program....
The Food Chain
Mideast Facing Choice Between Crops and Water
CAIRO — Global food shortages have placed the Middle East and North Africa in a quandary, as they are forced to choose between growing more crops to feed an expanding population or preserving their already scant supply of water.
For decades nations in this region have drained aquifers, sucked the salt from seawater and diverted the mighty Nile to make the deserts bloom. But those projects were...(complete article here).
The Food Chain
Mideast Facing Choice Between Crops and Water
CAIRO — Global food shortages have placed the Middle East and North Africa in a quandary, as they are forced to choose between growing more crops to feed an expanding population or preserving their already scant supply of water.
For decades nations in this region have drained aquifers, sucked the salt from seawater and diverted the mighty Nile to make the deserts bloom. But those projects were...(complete article here).
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Water Wars May Be Coming
You folks who live where water is abundant don't understand this issue. Here on the Plains we know about water and how critical it is to survival. Plenty of early range wars were fought over water sources. He who controlled the water controlled the range.
Probing Question: Are water wars in our future?
Monday, June 2, 2008
By Lisa DucheneResearch/Penn State
Schoolkids know that over 70 percent of Earth's surface is washed in water. Yet very little of that abundance — less than two percent — is available for drinking and agriculture. Over the last 50 years, moreover, freshwater use has tripled as global population has doubled, leading to scarcities in many regions of the globe. According to the United Nations, over 1.1 billion of the world's people lack access to a clean water supply.
With rapid population growth, wasteful practices, and impending...(complete article here).
Probing Question: Are water wars in our future?
Monday, June 2, 2008
By Lisa DucheneResearch/Penn State
Schoolkids know that over 70 percent of Earth's surface is washed in water. Yet very little of that abundance — less than two percent — is available for drinking and agriculture. Over the last 50 years, moreover, freshwater use has tripled as global population has doubled, leading to scarcities in many regions of the globe. According to the United Nations, over 1.1 billion of the world's people lack access to a clean water supply.
With rapid population growth, wasteful practices, and impending...(complete article here).
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
2008 EPA Report on the Environment
The EPA has issued its 2008 Report on the Environment.
EPA's Report on the Environment
EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment provides the American people with an important resource from which they can better understand trends in the condition of the air, water, and land and related trends in human health and ecological condition in the United States. This report was subjected to a thorough and rigorous independent external peer review and opportunities were also provided for public review and comment. This is the final report.
EPA is announcing the release of the final version of EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment (ROE). EPA’s ROE uses scientifically sound indicators to address questions that EPA believes to be fundamental to its mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA believes that paying close attention to trends in such indicators serves two key purposes: it provides valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and allows EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes. (click here to find links to the report)
EPA's Report on the Environment
EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment provides the American people with an important resource from which they can better understand trends in the condition of the air, water, and land and related trends in human health and ecological condition in the United States. This report was subjected to a thorough and rigorous independent external peer review and opportunities were also provided for public review and comment. This is the final report.
EPA is announcing the release of the final version of EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment (ROE). EPA’s ROE uses scientifically sound indicators to address questions that EPA believes to be fundamental to its mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA believes that paying close attention to trends in such indicators serves two key purposes: it provides valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and allows EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes. (click here to find links to the report)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I M THRSTY!
It is amazing what can be done with technology. The trouble is that sometimes it is as much art as it is science.
Plants Text Message Farmers When Thirsty
By Don Comis
April 29 , 2008
Beginning this crop season, farmers will be able to receive text messages on their cell phones from their plants saying whether they are thirsty or not.
Accent Engineering, Inc., of Lubbock, Tex., developed the SmartCropTM automated drought monitoring system based on...(complete article here).
Plants Text Message Farmers When Thirsty
By Don Comis
April 29 , 2008
Beginning this crop season, farmers will be able to receive text messages on their cell phones from their plants saying whether they are thirsty or not.
Accent Engineering, Inc., of Lubbock, Tex., developed the SmartCropTM automated drought monitoring system based on...(complete article here).
Friday, April 4, 2008
Spanish Water Woes
Global water woes are expanding.
Spanish region may ship water to relieve drought
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's northeast Catalonia region will need to import water by ship and train from May to ensure domestic supplies if the current drought persists, the regional government said in a report.
The report, sent to Reuters on Friday, said rainfall in all but one of Catalonia's 15 river basins was below emergency levels for the year so far.
"Forecasts show that...(complete article here).
Spanish region may ship water to relieve drought
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's northeast Catalonia region will need to import water by ship and train from May to ensure domestic supplies if the current drought persists, the regional government said in a report.
The report, sent to Reuters on Friday, said rainfall in all but one of Catalonia's 15 river basins was below emergency levels for the year so far.
"Forecasts show that...(complete article here).
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Worldwide Water Problems Fast Approaching
I'm happy to see the scientists agree with me! Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Water: in the right place, at the right time, in the right form will be critical for the future.
Sandia researchers say worldwide water shortage on horizon
Concerns expressed in Nature article
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A crisis is looming over water shortages worldwide. By 2025 more than half the nations in the world will face freshwater stress or shortages and by 2050 as much as 75 percent of the world’s population could face freshwater scarcity.
So say Mike Hightower and Suzanne Pierce, water experts at Sandia National Laboratories, in an article they wrote that appeared in a recent issue of Nature.
Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.
“This growing international water crisis is...(complete article here).
Sandia researchers say worldwide water shortage on horizon
Concerns expressed in Nature article
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A crisis is looming over water shortages worldwide. By 2025 more than half the nations in the world will face freshwater stress or shortages and by 2050 as much as 75 percent of the world’s population could face freshwater scarcity.
So say Mike Hightower and Suzanne Pierce, water experts at Sandia National Laboratories, in an article they wrote that appeared in a recent issue of Nature.
Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.
“This growing international water crisis is...(complete article here).
Monday, March 24, 2008
Water Wars in the Future?
Yes, water is the problem, but blaming Global Warming for the issue is off base. Population pressures, urbanization, higher demand for industrial and agricultural uses -- those are the real problems. The problem isn't the quantity of water. The problem is having sufficient usable water in the right place at the right time.
Water will be source of war unless world acts now, warns minister
By Ben Russell, Political Correspondent
Saturday, 22 March 2008
The world faces a future of "water wars", unless action is taken to prevent international water shortages and sanitation issues escalating into conflicts, according to Gareth Thomas, the International Development minister.
The minister's warning came as a coalition of 27 international charities marked World Water Day, by writing to Gordon Brown demanding action to give fresh water to 1.1 billion people with poor supplies. "If we do not act, the reality is...(complete article here).
Water will be source of war unless world acts now, warns minister
By Ben Russell, Political Correspondent
Saturday, 22 March 2008
The world faces a future of "water wars", unless action is taken to prevent international water shortages and sanitation issues escalating into conflicts, according to Gareth Thomas, the International Development minister.
The minister's warning came as a coalition of 27 international charities marked World Water Day, by writing to Gordon Brown demanding action to give fresh water to 1.1 billion people with poor supplies. "If we do not act, the reality is...(complete article here).
Monday, March 17, 2008
Israeli Water Technology
Water technology for a thirsty world.
Israeli water companies shoot for world market
By Ari Rabinovitch
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - After decades of developing water technologies aiming to "make the desert bloom", Israel has shifted focus to selling its products abroad with a goal of doubling exports in the sector to $2 billion by 2010.
From ultra-violet light technology to purify water to a recycling system using millions of small, plastic rings to breed bacteria and break down organic waste, Israeli innovations are finding...(complete article here).
Israeli water companies shoot for world market
By Ari Rabinovitch
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - After decades of developing water technologies aiming to "make the desert bloom", Israel has shifted focus to selling its products abroad with a goal of doubling exports in the sector to $2 billion by 2010.
From ultra-violet light technology to purify water to a recycling system using millions of small, plastic rings to breed bacteria and break down organic waste, Israeli innovations are finding...(complete article here).
Streams Role in Coastal Zones
Healthy streams work as a natural "flush" for the pollutants that are on the land. Guess where they go.....
Streams play key role in protecting coastal zones
by Margaret Coulombe
The plight of the world’s oceans is dire, according to recent studies, through insults from human activities that are depopulating and damaging reefs, altering coastlines, and creating pollutants, such as nitrogen runoff from terrestrial watersheds.
A study by 31 aquatic biologists involving 72 stream sites in the United States and Puerto Rico has found that...(complete article here).
Streams play key role in protecting coastal zones
by Margaret Coulombe
The plight of the world’s oceans is dire, according to recent studies, through insults from human activities that are depopulating and damaging reefs, altering coastlines, and creating pollutants, such as nitrogen runoff from terrestrial watersheds.
A study by 31 aquatic biologists involving 72 stream sites in the United States and Puerto Rico has found that...(complete article here).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
