Water: Is There Enough?

Water scarcity is a growing issue worldwide.  There is a lot of water in the world, but issues of location, timing, quantity, quality, and use can lead to serious problems.  Here are links to some recent articles that highlight the issue.

Coal Production Falling in China Due to Water Shortage (Wu, M., OANDA, July 23, 2013)

East Anglia: Water shortage battle ‘must be won for wildlife and tourism’ (Grant, J., EADT, July 17, 2013)

Fracking at the corner of energy abundance and water scarcity (Warren, J., Christian Science Monitor, Energy Voice blog, July 15, 2013)

The real threat to our future is peak water (Brown, L., Observer, July 6,2013)

Water Scarcity Seen Raising Risk to U.K. Agriculture Production (McFerron, W., Bloomburg, July 10, 2013)

Water Shortage Could Soak Food Firms (Spinner, J., Food Production Daily, July 10, 2013)

The Coming Water Wars (Judge, C. S., U.S. News & World Report blog, Feb. 19, 2013)

Water Scarcity (Infrastructure Watch, Feb. 13, 2013)

Will Water Shortages Unleash Instability in the Middle East? (Akrami, M., The International, Feb. 20, 2013)

Water Scarcity Infographic (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

Google

New Congress Gets to Work (Sort of), Other Federal Government News

A Look Back, 112 Congress Passed Transportation Bills

For all of its heel dragging, the 112^th Congress managed to pass some infrastructure-relate bills.  On the transportation front, it passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act (MAP-21).  MAP-21 was primarily and extension of highway programs through the end of September 2014 with authorization for small funding increases.

EPA Administrator Stepping Down

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that she plans to leave the post early this year (read her statement→).  Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe is expected to lead the agency, possibly indefinitely.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Promises Active Committee

Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), newly appointed chairman of the House T&I committee, committed himself to passing important legislation and assuring the committee is active in oversight.  Legislation priorities include reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act and surface transportation programs.  Oversight goals include implementation of reforms enacted in MAP-21.

Missouri Senator Calls for Decision of Levee Project

Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO) requested that the EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resolve their issues related to levee and drainage projects in southeast Missouri, particularly including the St. Johns Bayou levee.  These Corps of Engineer projects were halted because of concerns over fish and wildlife habitat.*

*As we have often disclosed, Infrastructure Watch is based in Missouri.

EPA Blog Features Missouri

EPA Region 7’s Big Blue Thread blog feature information about the environment in Missouri, the home of this blog.  One post covers abandoned coal mines and the other aquatic conservation.

Russell E. Train, Conservationist & Environmental Policy Pioneer, Died

Russell E. Train died yesterday, Sept. 17, 2012.  Train was one of the primary proponents of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.  Richard Nixon, whom he previously served as Under Secretary of Interior, appointed him as the first chair of the Council on Environmental Quality; he served in that post from 1969 to 1977.  Gerald Ford appointed him Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Train became a leader in the World Wildlife Fund in 1978.  Train had previously worked in conservation organizations.  He became president of the Conservation Foundation in 1965 and in 1961 he founded the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation.  Under his leadership, the World Wildlife Fund expanded its role to preserving habitat as well as advocating for wildlife.

Infrastructure Watch (or at least a certain contributor) appreciates that Train was a collector of books, particularly those related to wildlife and conservation.  The Smithsonian Institution acquired his collection of Africana in 2004.

Related posts and articles

EPA History (1970-1985)

Former EPA Administrator Russell Train dies

Russell E. Train

Russell E. Train, Conservationist Who Helped Create the E.P.A., Dies at 92

Russell E. Train, former EPA head, dies at 92

2.6. HABITAT LOSS

GUIDE TO WATER CONSERVATION

2.6. Habitat Loss

This section is under development.  Visit this site again for updates.

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On the Mississippi…and Lake Michigan

The Corp of Engineers has released a report stating that it is possible to once again separate the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River. One of the driving forces behind the study was the desire to protect the waterways from invasive species, especially to protect the Great Lakes from the Asian carp that have invaded the Mississippi River.

The Chicago canal system would have to be overhauled. As a corollary, Chicago would need to upgrade its wastewater treatment system. The Chicago canal was built in part to send the city’s wastewater down to the Mississippi River rather than into Lake Michigan. If the basins were separated, Chicago would need to discharge some of its wastewater into the lake.

The price tag for the project could be as high as $9.5 billion. Given the value of fishing, sports and tourism on the Great Lakes, it may be worth it.

The Corp is also looking at flood protection on the Mississippi River. Levees damaged by floods in 2011, or even purposefully breeched to protect other levees, may leave those areas vulnerable to flooding again this year. Congress appropriated $802 million for levee repairs.

Related posts and articles
Chicago’s electric carp barrier hits a snag
Corp: Damage from 2011 floods could mean more danger in 2012
Last line of defense
Report says Great Lakes divide can be rebuilt
Surge in Asian carp could lead to expanded range

Water News

Water Resources Resiliency Bill Introduced

Rep. Lois Capps (CA) has introduced the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011 (H.R. 2738). The bill would make grants available from the Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of helping water systems respond to ongoing or forecasted changes in their hydrologic environment. The term “water system” is used more broadly here than some are used to, and it includes community (drinking) water systems, wastewater treatment works and municipal storm water systems, decentralized domestic wastewater treatment, groundwater storage and replenishment, irrigation and conservation water conveyances, and floodwater controls. The bill would authorize $50 million a year for the program for fiscal years 2012 through 2016.

Governors Call for Focus on Flood Control on Missouri River
Seven governors of states along the Missouri River signed a letter to the Corps of Engineers to make flood control the top priority on the river. This letter was prompted by flooding on the lower Missouri River this year.

States on the upper and lower parts of the river have traditionally disagreed on priorities for the river. Upper reach states have generally been interested in recreational uses and related natural resources protection. Montana’s governor was a notable holdout from the letter on the ground of protecting recreational uses. Lower reach states have typically called for an emphasis on flood control and transportation. In recent years, the Corps has emphasized wildlife protection under pressure from environmental and conservation groups.

Related posts and articles:
7 Missouri River Governors Ask for Better Flood Control
Governors Meet to Avert Another Round of Flooding

What’s Up in Congress

Axe the Plaque is Back
Rep. Aaron Schock (IL) has introduced the End the Stimulus Advertisement Act (H.R. 5679), which would prohibit funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) from being used to pay for signs indicating the project is ARRA funded. The bill would also reduce appropriations for administration of ARRA-funded agencies to recover the funds already spent on signs.

Senate Bill Calls for Study of Mississippi River-Great Lakes Separation
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) introduced the Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 (S. 3553). The bill calls for a study by the Corp of Engineers to study the feasibility of hydrologic separation of the basins of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes in order to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species

Senate Bill Would Establish Green Infrastructure Program, Centers
Sen. Tom Udall (NM) introduced the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010 (S. 3561). The bill would establish centers for excellence in green infrastructure throughout the United States and create a green infrastructure program in the Environmental Protection Agency.

Related posts and articles

Bill Watch—111th Congress
Bill Would Axe Stimulus Plaques
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced
Infrastructure & Stimulus News

Acres for America Program Accepting Proposals

Acres for America, a partnership between Wal-Mart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, seeks to offset the footprint of Wal-Mart facilities with the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat. Projects should conserve large areas that are important habitat for fish, wildlife and plants. You can find out more on this post at Infra Consulting LC.

Habitat Restoration Funding Available

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is accepting applications for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The purpose of the program is to promote and implement habitat conservation and stewardship by providing technical and financial assistance partners for native habitat improvement projects on private lands and to supporting USFWS plans and programs. For more information, see this post at Infra Consulting LC.