WaterWired

CRS Thursday Twofer: 1) Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions; 2) 'The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: Issues and Legislation in the 116th Congress'

1) Mary Tiemann and Elena H. Humphreys wrote this CRS InFocus report (Updated 26 February 2020): Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions.

Download CRS_InFocus_Reg_DW_Contaminants_EPA_PFAS_26Feb2020

Introduction
The 116th Congress has held hearings and passed legislation directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other departments and agencies to take a range of actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. EPA actions to respond to PFAS contamination under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) have received significant attention. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020 (NDAA, P.L. 116-92) amended SDWA to increase PFAS monitoring and authorize appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other PFAS provisions.

Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under SDWA to determine whether national drinking water regulations are warranted for one or more of these substances. On February 20, 2020, EPA announced preliminary decisions to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). This In Focus outlines EPA actions to address PFAS under SDWA and reviews related legislation.

 

2) Lance N. Larson authored this CRS InFocus report (updated 24 February 2020): The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: Issues and Legislation in the 116th Congress.

Download CRS_InFocus_Abandoned_Mine_Reclamation_Act_24Feb2020

Introduction
Coal mining and production in the United States in the 20thcentury contributed to the nation meeting its energy requirements and left a legacy of unreclaimed lands. As amended, Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) authorized federal funding to reclaim coal mining sites that operated prior to enactment to which no other federal or state laws applied. Sites that remain unreclaimed may continue to pose hazards to public health, safety, and the environment. The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, established under Section 401 of SMCRA, provides funding to eligible states and tribes for the reclamation of surface mining impacts associated with historical mining of coal. Title IV of SMCRA authorized the collection of fees on the production of coal. The use of this funding is limited to the reclamation of coal mining sites abandoned or unreclaimed as of August 3, 1977 (date of SMCRA enactment). Title V of SMCRA authorized the regulation of coal mining sites operatingafter the law’s enactment. Coal mining sites regulated under Title V are ineligible for grants from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. SMCRA mandated that coal mine operators regulated under Title V are responsible for providing financial assurance for completing site reclamation. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) within the Department of the Interior is the federal office responsible for administering SMCRA in coordination with eligible states and tribes.

The coal reclamation fee collection authorization in Title IV expires at the end of FY2021. If Congress does not reauthorize the collection of reclamation fees, SMCRA directs the remaining balance of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to be distributed among states and tribes receiving grants from the fund until the balance is expended. The following sections describe the eligibility of sites for reclamation, estimated reclamation costs, grants to states and tribes, reauthorization issues and proposed legislation. This In Focus does not discuss the regulation of coal mining sites under Title V.

Enjoy!

“The invisible hand never picks up the check.” – Kim Stanley Robinson

Josh's Water Jobs and More! - 25 February 2020

Lots from Josh this week!

1) Josh's Jobs

 

Josh’s Pick:   1) Associate Project Officer (Groundwater) – United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (Paris): 13 March – Another junior role at UNESCO! This time on transboundary groundwater…   Highlighted:   2) Senior Policy Advisor – African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) (Nigeria): 20 March   3) WASH Specialist (Inter-Agency Coordination) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Ethiopia): 8 March   4) French speakers: Chargé(e) de mission Climat – Partenariat Français pour l’Eau (Paris): 28 February   5) PhD Studentship (Mapping Water Histories in the Kavery Basin, Southern India) – Lancaster University (India): 13 March   Deadline today (25 February)!   6) Water and Sanitation Technician – United Nations Volunteers (UNV) (South Sudan): 25 February   7) Conservation Programme Manager – Wetlands International (New Delhi): 25 February   8) Australia nationals: Senior Project Officer – Queensland Government (Brisbane, QLD, Australia): 25 February   9) Flood Resilience Alliance Consultant – International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (Geneva): 25 February   10) Graduate Environmental Impact Assessment Consultants – WSP (United Kingdom): 25 February   11) Yemen nationals: WASH Officer – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Yemen): 25 February   12) Yemen nationals: WASH Assistant – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Yemen): 25 February

Minimum years experience requested:

0-2 years   13) Programme Officer (2 positions) – International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) (Kathmandu): 15 March   14) Junior Energy and Environment Policy Analyst (Environment and Climate Change) – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)(Paris): 1 March   15) Rivers Officer – Westcountry Rivers Trust (United Kingdom): 28 February   16) Spanish speakers: Staff Scientist/Hydrogeologist – GeoSystems Analysis Inc(Hood River, OR, USA): Until filled   17) Local recruitment: Water Resources Management Analyst – The World Bank(Nairobi): 27 February   18) Local recruitment: Junior Policy Analyst – Climate Analytics (Togo): 27 February   19) Hydrology Research Technician – Aathabasca University (Aathabasca, AB, Canada): 28 February   20) Canada nationals: Senior Natural Resource Specialist – British Columbia Public Service (Fort St. John, BC, Canada): 1 March   21) Canada nationals: Water Policy Advisor – British Columbia Public Service(Various, BC, Canada): 3 March   22) U.S. Government Relations Coordinator – The Nature Conservancy (TNC)(Arlington, VA, USA): 6 March   23) Freshwater Restoration Assistant – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Chester, NJ, USA): 6 March   24) Environmental Compliance Specialist Watershed Protection Branch – Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Dekalb, GA, USA): 1 July

3-4 years   25) Climate Change Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Officer – International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (Panama): 27 February   26) Hydrology Technician – Genesis (New Zealand): 8 March   27) Data Analyst – Climate Analytics (Berlin): 1 March   28) Stream Restoration Ecologist – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Charlottesville, VA, USA): 8 March   29) Data Analyst – Washington Water Trust (Seattle, WA, USA): 15 March   30) Virginia Field Director – League of Conservation Voters (Richmond, VA, USA): 8 March   313) Canada nationals: Drinking Water/Wastewater Engineer – British Columbia Public Service (Victoria, BC, Canada): 27 February   32) Canada nationals: Hydrometric Officer – British Columbia Public Service(Various, BC, Canada): 4 March

5-7 years   33) Spanish speakers: Senior Consultant – Oxenu (Central America): Until filled   34) Project Development / Resource Mobilization Officer – African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) (Nigeria): 20 March   35) Development Communications Officer – Global Water Partnership - East Africa (GWP-EA) (Uganda): 2 March   36) Local recruitment: Environmental Specialist – The World Bank (South Africa): 10 March   37) Program Director – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Papua New Guinea): 11 March   38) Conservation Director – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Mongolia): 13 March   39) Field Manager (Freshwater) – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (New Delhi): 14 March   40) Programme Management Officer – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) (Geneva): 14 March   41) Conference and Governance Services Assistant – The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Switzerland): 15 March   42) Climate and Environment Specialist – International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) (Kathmandu): 16 March   43) Director (Center for Water Policy) – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee(Milwaukee, WI, USA): 24 March   44) Head of Climate Justice & Natural Resources Rights – Oxfam (Bangladesh): 29 February   45) German speakers: Head of Development and Partnerships – Climate Analytics(Berlin): 1 March   46) Communications Specialist (Policy & Futures Unit) – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (Cape Town): 29 February   47) Regional Environmental Management Advisor – World Food Programme (WFP)(Rome): 1 March   48) Technical/Team Leader (Sustainable Water in Tajikistan (SWIT)) – Tetra Tech(Tajikistan): Until filled   49) Local recruitment: Water Resources Management Specialist – The World Bank(Zambia): 27 February   50) Upstream Officer (Europe and Central Asia) – International Finance Corporation (IFC) (Various): 8 March – Water – Can include water/wastewater   51) Upstream Officer (Latin America & Caribbean) – International Finance Corporation (IFC) (Various): 8 March – Water – Can include water/wastewater   52) Upstream Officer (Africa) – International Finance Corporation (IFC) (Various): 8 March – Can include water/wastewater   53) Upstream Officer (Asia and Pacific) – International Finance Corporation (IFC)(Various): 8 March – Can include water/wastewater   54) Upstream Officer (Global) – International Finance Corporation (IFC)(Washington, DC): 8 March – Can include water/wastewater   55) Upstream Officer (Middle East and North Africa) – International Finance Corporation (IFC) (Various): 8 March – Can include water/wastewater

8-9 years   56) Chief of Party (Sustainable Water in Tajikistan (SWIT)) – Tetra Tech (Tajikistan): Until filled   57) Outreach and Partnerships Officer – Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America (CEC) (Montreal, QC, Canada): 28 February

10+ years   58) Programme Manager – Mine Water Coordinating Body (South Africa): 28 February   59) Team Leader (m/f/d) EU- WATER Sector Technical Assistance and Reforms Support in Egypt – Phase II – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (Cairo): 24 March   60) Technical Expert - WASCA – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (India): 1 March   61) Spanish speakers: Adaptation specialist – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) (Panama): 2 March   62) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager (Sustainable Water in Tajikistan (SWIT)) – Tetra Tech (Tajikistan): Until filled   63) Communications Coordinator – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) (Nairobi): 27 February

Not specified:   64) French speakers: Directeur/Directrice – Plan Bleu (France): 6 March   65) French speakers: Chargé(e) d’Offres et de Projets – Vergnet Hydro (France): Until filled   66) German speakers: Project Manager – Climate Analytics (Berlin): 1 March   67) Practice Lead Water Stewardship – BHP (Melbourne, VIC, Australia): 26 February   68) Australia nationals: Senior Scientist (Team Manager) – Queensland Government(Brisbane, QLD, Australia): 4 March   69) Science and Technical Officer – River Restoration Centre (United Kingdom): 19 March   70) U.K. nationals: Flood Asset Management (Support Officer) – Environment Agency (United Kingdom): 26 February   71) U.K. nationals: Director, Governance, Environment and Public Value – Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority) (United Kingdom): 28 February   72) U.K. nationals: Permitting Officer 2 (Water Quality Permitting) – Natural Resources Wales (Wales): 4 March   73) Program Specialist (Water Monitor) – City of Aurora (Aurora, CO, USA): Until filled   74) U.S. nationals: Hydrologist – U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (USA): 2 April

Not specified (academic): Professors/lecturers 75)Tenure track position in Ecohydrology – Tallinn University (Estonia): 10 March   76) Research professor (Aquatic Ecosystem Functioning and Global Change) – University of Antwerp (Belgium): 22 March   77) Tenure track Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in Environmental Remote Sensing – Aarhus University (Denmark): 31 March   78) Assistant Professor in Earth Surface Processes – University of California-Merced(Merced, CA, USA): 30 June   79) Lecturer (Goldman School of Public Policy) – University of California-Berkeley(Berkeley, CA, USA): 9 October   80) Assistant Professor (Water Resources Engineer) – South Dakota State University(Brookings, SD, USA): 2 March Postdocs 81)Senior Research Associate/Research Associate (Transformations to Groundwater Sustainability) – Lancaster University (United Kingdom): 4 March   82) Postdoctoral Research Associate in Flood Resilience – Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science Inc. (CUAHSI) (Tuscaloosa, AL, USA): 31 March   83) Postdoctoral researcher (Northern ecohydrology) – University of Oulu (Finland): 31 March   84) Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Coupled Surface Water-Groundwater Modeling – University of California-Riverside (Riverside, CA, USA): 31 March   85) Postdoctoral Researcher Position in water resources management – INRAE(France): Until filled Researchers/other 86)Social Scientist – California Sea Grant Extension Specialist - Delta Stewardship Council (Sacramento, CA, USA): 16 March   87) Assistant Researcher (Ecohydrology) – University of Hawaii-Manoa (Honolulu, HI, USA): 13 March   88) Jordan nationals: Researcher (Agricultural Water Solutions) – International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Jordan): 7 March   89) Director of the Rivers and Lochs Institute – Inverness College (Scotland): 8 March   90) Research Fellow in Ecological Knowledges of Country – University of Melbourne(Melbourne, VIC, Australia): 9 March   91) Basic German speakers: Research Assistant (HIWI): Collection and processing of data for water quality modelling – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) (Germany): 29 February   92) Research in Hydrological risk assessment: signature of human behavior on the impact associated with extreme rainfall events – Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) (France): 2 March   93) Fluid Crescent. Water and Life in the Societies of the Ancient Near East – Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy): 3 March   94) U.S. nationals: Research and Analysis on Issues Related to National Water Programs – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, DC): 11 March   95) U.S. nationals: Water Quality, Watershed Protection and Restoration Programs – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Seattle, WA, USA): 13 March

WASH:   0-2 years   96) WASH Program Manager (Northeast Syria) – Solidarités International (Syria): Until filled   97) French speakers: Responsable Projet EHA – Solidarités International (Central African Republic): Until filled   98) Arabic speakers: WASH Field Engineer – World Vision (Syria): 26 February   99) Jordan nationals: WASH Engineer – United Nations Volunteers (UNV) (Jordan): 29 February   100) Afghanistan nationals: WASH Assistant – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)(Afghanistan): 1 March   101) Tajikistan nationals: National WASH Officer (Engineer) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Tajikistan): 4 March   102) Sierra Leone nationals: WASH Officer – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Sierra Leone): 28 February   3-4 years   103) Water and Habitat Engineer – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)(Global deployment): 30 March   104) Mali nationals: Ingenieur WATSAN – United Nations Volunteers (UNV) (Mali): 27 February   5-7 years   105) Local recruitment: Country Director (South Africa) – Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association (BORDA) (South Africa): 8 March   106) Spanish speakers: Asesor/a Regional (Agua y Saneamiento) – United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) (Home-Based): 4 March   107) WASH / Shelter Specialist – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Iran): 12 March   108) Batch Recruitment 2 Positions (WASH Specialist) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Yemen): 24 March   109) WASH Coordinator – Solidarités International (Yemen): Until filled   110) Rehabilitation WASH Program Manager (Northeast Syria) – Solidarités International (Syria): Until filled   111) French speakers: WASH Specialist – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(DRC): 4 March   112) Somalia nationals: WASH Officer (Hydrogeologist/ hydrologist) – Islamic Relief(Somalia): 29 February   8-9 years   113) Local recruitment: Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist – The World Bank (Ivory Coast): 2 March   10+ years   114) International Water Supply Design Engineer – Niras (Kenya): 30 April   115) International Engineer for Water Supply and Sanitation – Niras (Kenya): 30 April   116) International Team Leader for Water Supply and Sanitation – Niras (Kenya): 30 April   Not specified   117) French speakers: Responsable Programme EHA/Ebola – Solidarités International (DRC): Until filled   118) Water Industry Partnerships Manager (South East England) – WaterAid(London): 12 March   119) Design Engineer – Loowatt (London): 6 March   120) WASH Delegate – British Red Cross (Bangladesh): 1 March   121) Philippines nationals: WASH Engineer – Action Contre La Faim (Philippines): Until filled

Consultancies:   122) Call for experts for an analysis in hydropower plant restoration potential with regards to power generation and environmental impact – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (Home-Based): 28 February   123) French speakers: International Consultancy (WASH-Nutrition programming) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Dakar): 2 March   124) Consultancy to develop the Tagabe River Integrated Catchment Management Plan for Vanuatu – Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) (Vanuatu): 6 March   125) International Chief Technical Advisor (ICTA) – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Home-Based): 2 March   126) Russian speakers: International short-term consultant on climate change adaptation – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Home-Based): 4 March   127) Call for Senior International Experts to serve in the Accreditation Panel of the Green Climate Fund – Green Climate Fund (GCF) (Home-Based): 4 March   128) Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) Training Specialist – DAI(Kathmandu): 28 February   129) Developing A Resource Mobilization Strategy & Financial Sustainability Plan – African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) (Home-Based): 28 February   130) Kyrgyzstan nationals: National Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist – Asian Development Bank (ADB) (Kyrgyzstan): 26 February   131) Nepal nationals: Water Supply Expert – Asian Development Bank (ADB)(Nepal): 27 February   132) Tunisia nationals: Consultant National Gestion des Ressources en Eau – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Tunisia): 28 February   133) Philippines nationals: Local Consultant: Technical Coordinator for WASH – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Philippines): 29 February

RFP:   134) Consultancy Services for conducting a investment plan study to address the WASH problem in the two selected drought stricken neighbouring areas in North Darfur State – African Development Bank (AfDB) (Sudan): 27 February   135) Training and Capacity Strengthening for Gender Mainstreaming of EPADP Staff and Water Users Associations – African Development Bank (AfDB) (Egypt): 27 February   136) Baseline Study of the Project- Creating Healthier and Happier Homes in India and Indonesia with Access to Water and Sanitation – water.org (Home-Based): 2 March   137) Program Evaluation of Piramal Sarvajal – water.org (India): 1 March   138) Spanish speakers: Consultoría para manejo de áreas afectadas por movimientos por movimientos de remoción en masa microcuenca del río San Jorge – Lutheran World Relief (Colombia): 2 March   139) Scaling-Up WASH Project – The World Bank (Laos): 26 February

Internships:   140) Master Student Internship in the Development of a browser based water basin information system – Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology(Luxembourg): 10 March   141) Freshwater Intern – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Minneapolis, MN, USA): 20 March   142) Internship (River Analysis) – The Ocean Cleanup (Netherlands): 20 April   143) Spanish speakers: Intern (Environment Affairs - Ecosystems Management) – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) (Panama): 10 January 2021   144) Geospatial Data Analysis Intern – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) (Geneva): 2 March   145) Internship (CREWS) – World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (Geneva): 3 March

Scholarships:   146) Ph.D. Level Graduate Assistantship in Earth Systems Sciences (Groundwater) – Auburn University (Auburn, AL, USA): 11 March   147) PhD Position in Regional Climate Modeling – ETH Zürich (Switzerland): 12 March   148) Graduate Research Assistants (Food-energy-water systems (FEWS)) – CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (New York): 12 March   149) E.U./U.K. students: PhD - Towards Dynamically Adaptive Water Supply Networks: Design-for-Control of Sectorised Water Supply Networks with Evolving Topologies for Improving Resilience and Pressure Management – Imperial College London (London): 30 March   150) E.U./U.K. students: PhD - Dynamically Adaptive Control for Improving the Water Quality in Water Distribution Networks – Imperial College London (London): 30 March   151) PhD: Determining the Impact of Developing a 24/7 Supply of Drinking Water on Assets, Communities and the Environment in Nepal? – The University of Sheffield(United Kingdom): 31 March   152) PhD: Physics of water and ice – University of Amsterdam (Amsterdam): 1 April   153) International Water Association and Cranfield University Excellence Scholarships – Cranfield University (United Kingdom): 30 April   154) PhD: Using data assimilation and weather forecasts in irrigation scheduling – KU Leuven (Belgium): 1 June   155) PhD: A More Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Technology: Aerobic Granular Sludge – University of Southampton (United Kingdom): 31 August   156) PhD: Modelling Soil Dewatering and Recharge for Cost-Effective and Climate Resilient Infrastructure – University of Southampton (United Kingdom): 31 August   157) Research scholarship: The effects of climate change on the ecology of unregulated rivers – La Trobe University (Albury-Wodonga, VIC, Australia): 28 February

Fellowships:   158) 2020 Healthy Streams Fellow – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Topeka, KS, USA): 11 March   159) Russell E. Train Fellowships – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (Various): 1 March

Other:   160) 2020 Request for Proposals (Several focus on freshwater) – JRS Biodiversity Foundation (Various): 10 March   161) Chesapeake Conservation Corps – Chesapeake Bay Trust (Annapolis, MD, USA): 12 March   162) Call for Reporting Grant Applications: Threats to Biodiversity in Nile Basin Lakes – InfoNile: 28 February     Last week’s list, in case you missed it   Post a job   Support Josh’s Water Jobs

2) Additional Jobs from WaterWired

Posted: Last Week

163) Positions: Conservation Jobs - Various locations, qualifications, due dates. http://bit.ly/39eMKQW #JobWaWi

164) Position: Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District (Oroville, CA) - Field Operator. Closes: 1 March or until filled. Download OTID_Job_Posting_010620

165) Position: @TualatinRiver (Tualatin, OR) - Executive Director. Closes: 31 March. http://bit.ly/39WW8t1 #JobWaWi

166) Position: Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (Willows, CA) - Engineering Technician. OUF. http://bit.ly/2NmlJli #JobWaWi

167) Position: Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (Willows, CA) - Assistant Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2Rb7LUA #JobWaWi

168) Position: New York State Water Resources Institute (New Paltz, NY) - Extension Supply Specialist I - Extension Supp Specialist I http://bit.ly/30pjgMk #JobWaWi

169) Position: @ucabears (Conway, AR) - T-T Assistant Professor with expertise in GIS, Cartography, and Geospatial Techniques. OUF. http://bit.ly/2uHn3IR #JobWaWi

170) Postdoctoral Position: Oregon State University (Hermiston, OR) - Specializing in Soil, Water, & Nutrient Dynamics. Closes: 15 March
Download OSU_Lukas_Lab_PostDoc_2020  

171) Position: Kennewick Irrigation District (Kennewick, WA) - Staff Engineer I or II. OUF. http://bit.ly/3axZnr3 #JobWaWi #PNWater

172) Position: @NWF (NM) - Western Water Project Manager. http://bit.ly/3bkZarl #JobWaWi

173) Positions (many): @EPA jobs through @ORISEaspire (across USA) - Variety of disciplines http://bit.ly/2vhfr0g #JobWaWi

174) Position: River Design Group (Whitefish, MT) - Environmental Scientist / GIS Specialist. Closes: 1 May. http://bit.ly/39vbsfi #JobWaWi

175) Position: River Design Group (Corvallis, OR) - Restoration Technician / GIS Specialist. OUF. http://bit.ly/2utSW8h #JobWaWi

176) Position: Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (Beavercreek, OR) - General Manager. OUF. http://bit.ly/36WaUxK #JobWaWi

177) Position: Oregon Agricultural Trust (Salem, OR) - Ag Lands Program Director. Closes: 9 March. http://bit.ly/2SjLQw8 

178) Position:@GWPMed (Athens) - Programme Officer. Closes: 28 February. http://bit.ly/2UNCN8n #JobWaWi

179) Positions (3) @OregonState (Corvallis) - TenuredT-T Faculty: 1) Sustainable Groundwater Engineering; Integrated Water Quality Mgmt Engineering; Ag Water Management/Extension Irrigation Specialist. Closes: 17 March; full consideration: 3 March http://bit.ly/2SUdUVY #JobWaWi

180) Position: GeoSystems Analysis, Inc. (Hood River, OR) - Staff Scientist/Hydrogeologist. 
Download OR_staff_Hydro_Feb2020

181) Position: @uwgb (Green Bay, WI) - Assistant Professor in Water Science. Apps due: 1 March http://bit.ly/32bjDuC #JobWaWi

3) Some General Employment Resources

AGU Career Center for research/academic jobs

GoodWorkCanada - Canada's Green Jobs Site

Congressional Research Service Positions 

Check out @AidJobs - Vacancies in aid, development, humanitarian & nonprofit sector (volunteers, consultants or F-T employment) https://aidjobs.org

Conservation Jobs Board

UN Jobs in Water Resources

UN Jobs in Water Management

UN Jobs in Water and Sanitation

Global Water Jobs

WASH Vacancies

Academic Jobs Online

Higher Education Job Site

Get Hydrology Jobs

AAG Jobs

@BCWaterNews Jobs Click View Jobs

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days. Click here. 

King County (WA) Jobs

Geoscience Job Board

California DWR Jobs

AZ Water Career Center 

Florida Water Jobs

NYC DEP 

Nature Conservancy jobs

State of Washington Careers

Idaho DEQ 

OSU Water Resources Program

Water District Jobs

Academic Jobs in Schools of Physical/Earth Sciences

Mac's List - Jobs in Portland and Beyond!

New Zealand Hydrological Society Jobs Board

California Water Jobs 

Government Jobs

Association of Oregon Counties Job Postings

Soil Science Societies Career Center

How to Find Work Overseas, with Marcelle Yeager. https://bit.ly/1pIopLT  

For the full list of Josh's active water jobs, please visit www.joshswaterjobs.com/jobs

Enjoy! 

"Give me the man and I will find you the crime." -- KGB saying

CRS Report: 'Clean Air Act - A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements' Updated: 25 February 2020

CRS report by Kate C. Shouse and Richard K. Lattanzio: Clean Air Act: A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements.

Download CRS_Report_CAA_Summary_25Feb2020

Click on the graphics to enlarge them.

Summary
This report summarizes the Clean Air Act and its major regulatory requirements. The principal statute addressing air quality concerns, the Clean Air Act was first enacted in 1955, with major revisions in 1970, 1977, and 1990. The act:

•   requires EPA to set health-based standards for ambient air quality;

•   sets deadlines for the achievement of those standards by state and local

  governments;

•   requires EPA to set national emission standards for large or ubiquitous sources of air pollution, including motor vehicles, power plants, and other industrial sources;

•   mandates emission controls for sources of 187 hazardous air pollutants;

•   establishes a cap-and-trade program to limit acid rain;

•   requires the prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in areas with clean air;

•   requires a program to restore visibility impaired by regional haze in national parks and wilderness areas; and

•   implements the Montreal Protocol to phase out most ozone-depleting chemicals.

   

  Introduction
  This report describes the act’s major provisions and provides tables listing all major amendments, with the year of enactment and Public Law number, and cross-referencing sections of the act with the major U.S. Code sections of the codified statute.

The authorities and responsibilities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) derive primarily from a dozen major environmental statutes. This report provides a concise summary of one of those statutes, the Clean Air Act. It provides a very brief history of federal involvement in air quality regulation and of the provisions added by legislation in 1970, 1977, and 1990; it explains major authorities contained in the act; it defines key terms; and it lists references for more detailed information on the act and its implementation.

While this report attempts to present the essence of the act, it is necessarily incomplete. Many details and secondary provisions are omitted. In addition, the report describes the statute largely without discussing its implementation. Statutory deadlines to control emissions and achieve particular mandates have often been missed as a result of delayed standard-setting by EPA, delayed action on implementation by states and local governments, or law suits brought by interested parties. Other CRS products, including CRS Report R45451, Clean Air Act Issues in the 116th Congress, and more than a dozen other CRS reports, discuss implementation concerns and current issues.

Enjoy!

"Bookstore orders are due for Spring 2021. Please remember if you are not using a book, you still need to submit a blank order form, and a memorandum explaining why you are not using a book." - @ass_deans

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 24 February 2020

How about some ice volcanoes? Elaine found a story about then on a Lake Michigan beach.

Read about them here. 

Do you know of a colleague and/or student who would be interested in receiving  these Bulletin Board listings? Please forward this to them. A quick email to Geosciences-BBoard@att.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line and 

the email address will be added to the weekly distribution. 

Here are Elaine's BBs as Word/PDF documents:     

As PDF: Download Bulletin_Boards_24Feb2020

As Word: Download Bulletin_Boards_24Feb2020

Note: If a link does not work, try pasting it into your browser.

Geoscience Bulletin Board –24 February 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

14% chance of M9 EQ hitting Seattle in next 50 years – multiple simulations of Cascadia event

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/earthquake-experts-lay-latest-outlook-030810234.html
• Tsunami simulation: https://www.geekwire.com/2019/watch-tsunami-waves-9-0-earthquake-new-simulation-videos-washington-scientists/

Ice volcanoes erupt on Lake Michigan beach

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/rare-ice-volcanoes-captured-erupting-on-lake-michigan-beach-but-may-not-stick-around/ar-BB105oA7
• https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a31019508/lake-michigan-ice-volcanoes/

Foehn winds cause localized high temperature conditions in Antarctica

• https://www.deseret.com/2020/2/11/21132049/record-high-temperature-recorded-in-antarctica-esperanza-global-warming-foehn

Heavy rains & swollen rivers trigger landslide in Hardin County, Tennessee

• https://abcstlouis.com/news/nation-world/watch-tennessee-house-collapses-in-landslide-02-17-2020

Avalanche in Eagle County, Colorado, claims two lives – triggered by 3 mono-track riders

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-men-killed-in-large-avalanche-in-colorado/ar-BB103UrS

Fluid pressure changes facilitate slow aseismic EQ in Cascadia Subduction Zone

• https://eos.org/articles/fluid-pressure-changes-grease-cascadias-slow-aseismic-earthquakes

Glacial EQs triggered by icebergs capsizing & ramming into Thwaites Glacier

• https://eos.org/articles/glacial-earthquakes-spotted-for-the-first-time-on-thwaites

The story of sleuthing out the cause of ball lightning in the 1960s

• https://eos.org/agu-news/edmond-dewan-citizen-science-and-the-mystery-of-ball-lightning

Quantifying the efficacy of climate forcings in PDRMIP models

• https://eos.org/editor-highlights/how-does-climate-respond-to-different-forcings
• Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019JD030581

Honoring the significant contributions of June Bacon-Bercey (1930-2020) – pioneering meteorologist

• https://eos.org/features/june-bacon-bercey-pioneering-meteorologist-and-passionate-supporter-of-science
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/june-bacon-bercey-pathbreaking-tv-meteorologist-dies-at-90/2020/01/07/6e5fc7ce-30a7-11ea-9313-6cba89b1b9fb_story.html

Is this “sailing rock” track evidence of freezing during Early Jurassic time?

• https://eos.org/articles/does-this-fossil-reveal-a-jurassic-tropical-freeze

Autonomous kayaks measured water properties near terminus of LeConte Glacier – data reflect complex ice-ocean interactions

• https://eos.org/editor-highlights/first-field-observations-of-ocean-melting-a-tidewater-glacier

Non-perennial streams are now a major part of the global river network – impacts of dams & diversion

• https://eos.org/opinions/science-gets-up-to-speed-on-dry-rivers

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography breeds rare weedy sea dragons

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/san-diego-aquarium-weedy-sea-dragon_n_5e46ba4bc5b64ba2974e7f61

Turbulence helps prevent moving sand dunes from colliding

• https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/02/racing-dunes-show-how-turbulence-balances-speed-between-sand-dunes/

Clumped isotope paleo-thermometry suggests 3 major dinosaur groups were warm-blooded

• sci-news.com/paleontology/warm-blooded-dinosaurs-08135.html

Stependemys geographicus– new fossils of Miocene freshwater side-necked turtle

• http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/stupendemys-geographicus-shells-08131.html

Tralkasaurus cuyi – medium-sized Cretaceous abeliisaurid dinosaur unearthed in Argentina

• http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/tralkasaurus-cuyi-08129.html

NASA detects methane release sites across the Arctic – age of methane may be important

• https://scitechdaily.com/millions-of-arctic-methane-hotspots-detected-by-nasa-global-climate-change-impact/
• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/aaft-oms021820.php

100 myo primitive bee with pollen – mid-Cretaceous fossil from Myanmar

• https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Fossilized_insect_from_100_million_years_ago_is_oldest_record_of_primitive_bee_with_pollen_999.html

Hurricane Harvey ranked as most extreme US weather event of last decade

• https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Hurricane_Harvey_most_extreme_US_weather_event_of_last_decade_999.html

Ichthyosaurs experienced boom & bust cycle between 250 myo and 200 myo

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200213135752.htm
• Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-0779-6

Tungurahua volcano “The Black Giant” in Ecuador exhibiting flank instability that could lead to potential collapse

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200218124413.htm
• https://phys.org/news/2020-02-south-american-volcano-early-potential.html
• Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X20300479?via%3Dihub

Glacial cycles were enhanced by Antarctic sea ice

• https://phys.org/news/2020-02-earth-glacial-antarctic-sea-ice.html

Massive amounts of melting sea ice in the Arctic disrupted climate-steering currents after last Ice Age

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uoma-hso022020.php

Warming in the Arctic has not led to “wavier” jet stream in the mid-latitudes

• https://phys.org/news/2020-02-jet-stream-wavier-arctic.html
• Paper: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/8/eaay2880

New geochemical & paleontological data on end-Permian mass extinction from Karoo Basin

• https://theconversation.com/new-analysis-sheds-important-light-on-an-ancient-mass-extinction-event-132105

Proto-Earth may have formed over a 5-million-year time span

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uoct-tef022020.php
• Paper: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/7/eaay7604

The future of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) – the “conveyor belt”

• https://www.whoi.edu/news-insights/content/the-future-of-the-oceans-conveyor-belt/

Snapping shrimp are creating more pervasive background noise in the ocean

• https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/warming-oceans-are-getting-louder/

Mineral treasure trove found in Bundelkhand & Vindhyan regions of Uttar Pradesh, India

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/geologists-stumble-upon-mineral-treasure-trove-in-bundelkhand-vindhyan-regions-of-up/story-kFcxhQG7JQzeDswB3u1UqK.html

Environmental Science Bulletin Board –24 February 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Federal judge rules US Army COE not liable for flood damages west of downtown Houston

• https://apnews.com/434feec9b75ea67026d5f05836953266

Mississippi River rising – construction banned –spillway & floodway will not be opened

• https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_3877ca10-5363-11ea-bca4-57c0de823605.html

Perspective: UN Convention on Biological Diversity must get new goals right

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00450-5

14,000 killed and at least 26M infected in the US during current 2019-2020 flu season

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/a-deadly-virus-is-spreading-from-state-to-state-and-has-infected-26-million-americans-so-far-its-the-flu/ar-BBZtNSE

Men have lower resistance to coronavirus than women – mortality in men 2.8% vs 1.7% in women

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-seems-hit-men-harder-132519694.html

First genetic evidence of resistance in some bats to White-Nose Syndrome

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uom-fge021820.php

Vandalism – Plymouth Rock and other monuments marked with graffiti

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/iconic-plymouth-rock-vandalized-covered-in-graffiti-why-why-would-someone-do-this/ar-BB105TbX

Efforts to save iconic species in Australia threatened by habitat destruction, invasive species, hunting

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-race-to-save-australias-iconic-species-from-extinction/ar-BB107tL0

Quietest natural location on Earth is a bogland in Kielder Mires, Northumberland, Great Britain

• https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/what-is-the-quietest-natural-location-on-the-surface-of-the-planet/

New bill in Minnesota would give cities the option to ban pesticides that kill bees & butterflies

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bee-killing-pesticides-could-be-banned-in-this-state-under-new-bill/ar-BB107XGd

Reshaping stream infrastructure to create habitats

• https://dailyevergreen.com/73494/news/reshaping-stream-structure-to-improve-habitats/

GAO report on potential resiliency in preparation for potential climate change impacts on water

• https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/infrastructure-security/gao-resilience-planning-could-help-utilities-prepare-for-potential-climate-change-impacts/
• GAO Report: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-24

Mining threatens Lake Fundudzi & Thathe Vondo Forest – long regarded as sacred lands

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/rise-of-the-snake-illegal-mining-threatens-vendas-sacred-mountain/ar-BB103YPi

New tick-borne protozoa causing disease in cattle in Virginia – mortality typically 1-5% or as high as 50%

• https://www.starexponent.com/news/new-tick-borne-disease-challenges-virginia-cattlemen/article_c9d5040c-b4ae-5930-8f13-b036090f45ef.html

Elk shot along Rocky Mountain Front was smuggled from a herd more than 600 miles away

• https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2020-02-15/smuggled-elk-poses-a-mystery-for-montana-wildlife-officials

Ahhhh …. the futility of building yet more structural controls on the Mississippi River

• https://www.enr.com/articles/48718-mississippi-flooding-prompts-new-look-at-controversial-dam-project
• https://www.wlbt.com/2020/02/18/one-lake-project-wouldve-saved-homes-affected-by-floodwaters-supervisor-says/

Questioning conventional wisdom about plastic packaging

• https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/plastic-waste-problem-wasting-what-plastic-wrapping-many-times-worse.html

Fetal exposure to certain phthalate chemicals linked to autistic traits in boys

• https://www.ehn.org/autism-and-phthalates-exposure-in-womb-linked-to-autistic-traits-in-boys-2645182384.html
• Paper: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP5621

Model simulation tests whether birds still migrated during the ice ages

• https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/02/did-birds-still-migrate-during-ice-ages/

The future well-being of humans is related to the future well-being of insects

• https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Scientists_warn_humanity_about_worldwide_insect_decline_999.html
• Warning Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320719317823?via%3Dihub
• Solutions Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320719317793?via%3Dihub

Enzymes with flavin cofactor can break down environmental pollutants – N5-peroxide

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200218124348.htm

Emissions of methane by human activity have been vastly underestimated – 25-40% higher

• https://phys.org/news/2020-02-methane-emitted-humans-vastly-underestimated.html

$4.6B Coastal GasLink pipeline is still the focus of protests

• https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/coastal-gaslink-pipeline-investor-committed-to-closing-deal-despite-protests/
• https://ca.news.yahoo.com/stop-coastal-gaslink-allow-meaningful-231355899.html

Air pollution can travel 100s or 1,000s of miles across state lines and impact your health

• https://theconversation.com/the-secondhand-smoke-youre-breathing-may-have-come-from-another-state-128202

Mass grave uncovered in Lincolnshire, England – remains of 48 who died of “Black Death”

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/medieval-black-death-mass-grave-uncovered-in-the-english-countryside/ar-BB107bD9

Early-mid Holocene humans feasted on fish in the Acacus Mountains of the Sahara Desert

• https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/p-fit021120.php
• Paper: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0228588

Greenpeace USA comprehensive survey of “recyclable” plastic products – many are not compliant

• https://yubanet.com/enviro/u-s-companies-use-misleading-recyclable-labels-on-hundreds-of-plastic-products/
• Report: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Greenpeace-Report-Circular-Claims-Fall-Flat.pdf

SCOTUS to consider whether Appalachian Trail blocks proposed natural gas line

• https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/02/argument-preview-justices-to-consider-whether-the-appalachian-trail-blocks-proposed-natural-gas-pipeline/

Urban planning can impact health – urban environment promotes sedentary lifestyle & obesity

• https://theconversation.com/is-your-city-making-you-fat-how-urban-planning-can-address-the-obesity-epidemic-130858

Perspective:  Wild animals could roam parts of the prairies in North America

• https://theconversation.com/animals-large-and-small-once-covered-north-americas-prairies-and-in-some-places-they-could-again-126989

Iceland did not hunt whales in 2019 – public appetite for whale meat is fading

• https://theconversation.com/iceland-didnt-hunt-any-whales-in-2019-and-public-appetite-for-whale-meat-is-fading-127504

EIA expects production & exports of natural gas to continue to increase

• https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42875

People exposed to social media content are more likely to be mis-informed about vaccines

• http://outbreaknewstoday.com/vaccines-people-exposed-to-content-on-social-media-more-likely-to-be-misinformed-52947/

Podcast:  Are travel bans effective in response to disease outbreaks?

• http://outbreaknewstoday.com/travel-bans-and-disease-outbreaks-are-they-effective-25236/
• Paper: https://www.wmpllc.org/ojs/index.php/jem/article/view/2688/pdf

Intense storms douse bushfires but cause flooding in Australia

• https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146284/extreme-rain-douses-fires-causes-floods-in-australia

Proposed drilling near Arches National Park could degrade water quality & environment

• https://www.ksl.com/article/46719138/proposed-drilling-near-arches-national-park-the-wrong-move-groups-say

Judge rules that “Happy” is not a person – “Happy” is an elephant and the Bronx Zoo is her home

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/siding-with-bronx-zoo-judge-rules-happy-the-elephant-is-not-a-person/ar-BB10cCbk

Hundreds of dams across the Southeastern US lack emergency management plan

• https://apnews.com/95d95736c88be7544324b2bb6177d0c4

US EPA announces it will regulate PFAS “forever chemicals” in drinking water

• https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/483972-epa-will-regulate-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water

Red-eared slider turtles are a problematic invasive (introduced) species in New York City

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-york-city-has-a-turtle-problem/ar-BB10eJgG

Cleanup at 6 Superfund sites completed in budget year 2019 – backlog continues

• https://apnews.com/c1d827364ac630d53848ac3ec489788d

France begins shutting down oldest nuclear power plant that operated for 43 years

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/france-begins-shutting-down-oldest-nuclear-plant/ar-BB10gwVi

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board –24 February 2020 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Rube Goldberg suggestion: NEED - build 395-mile long dams to enclose the North Sea

• https://www.dezeen.com/2020/02/14/nothern-european-enclosure-dam-climate-change/

• Paper: https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0145.1

Pondering the construction of an underwater tunnel between Ewa and downtown Honolulu, Hawaii

• https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/should-hawaii-build-an-underwater-tunnel-between-ewa-anddowntown/

Can stromatolite exemplars save the global warming alarmists from rapidly rising sea levels?

• https://www.livescience.com/climate-change-primordial-cities-art-project.html

“Sufficient merit” moves waterfront project called Quayside in Toronto, Canada, to next phase

• https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/02/18/sidewalk-labs-project-has-sufficient-merit-tomove-to-the-next-phase-evaluation-committee-says.html

Nutrients & sediment washed up during major hurricanes benefits mangroves in Florida Everglades

•https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Hurricanes_benefit_mangroves_in_Floridas_Everglades_study_finds_999.html

Satellite data reveals rapid decline of inter-tidal wetlands in China – 37.6% decline 1970-2015

•https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Satellite_image_data_reveals_rapid_decline_of_Chinas_intertidal_wetlands_999.html

Comparison of storm surges on US East and Gulf Coasts

•https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Storm_induced_sea_level_spikes_differ_in_origin_on_US_east_gulf_coasts_999.html

Coastal Commission to order removal of unpermitted beach encroachments in Newport, California

• https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2020-02-19/coastal-commissionprepares-to-order-removal-of-unpermitted-beach-encroachments-in-newport

NASA Delta-S airborne investigation to assess changes in land mass in Mississippi Delta

• https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7601

Coastal history of the State of Maine anchored in codfish

• https://www.pressherald.com/2020/02/19/coastal-history-cod-integral-to-maine-triangle-traderoute/

Coastal risks and land use policy on Oregon Coast

• https://newportnewstimes.com/article/coastal-risks-and-land-use-policy-create-tradeoffs-forarmoring-oregon-coast

Case study examines shoreline migration on Hawaii Island – tool kit for policy makers

• https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/02/18/uh-hilo-coastal-erosion-research/

• https://toolkit.climate.gov/case-studies/reality-check-collaborative-research-contributes-reallife-policy-decisions

Storm damaged coastal defenses will be removed at West Beach – not cost effective to replace

• https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2020/02/19/removing-damaged-coastal-defenses-at-westbeach/

How to become an official “Storm Spotter” for Coastal Bend, Texas

• https://www.kztv10.com/news/community/vista-semanal/local/how-to-become-an-officialstorm-spotter-for-the-coastal-bend

Lawsuits filed calling for annulment of approval of $1.45B East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project

• https://www.amny.com/news/the-villager/lower-east-siders-worry-about-loss-of-trees-parkspace-at-meeting-on-east-side-coastal-resiliency-project/

Maryland to hold new hearings on offshore wind turbine height proposed for two projects

• http://www.coastalpoint.com/47887/feature/maryland-hold-new-hearings-offshore-windturbine-height

$740M suspension bridge to connect mainland Chile with Chiloe Archipelago – re-negotiation

• https://www.reuters.com/article/chile-bridge-hyundai-ec/hyundai-says-740-million-chileanbridge-project-on-track-after-cost-dispute-idUSL1N2AH0DA

MARAD awarded $280+M to improve infrastructure of US ports

• https://maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-dot-awards-280-million-in-port-infrastructurefunding

Mola tecta – “hoodwinker” washed up on California beach

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/how-a-bizarre-monster-fish-hoodwinkedresearchers-and-reeled-in-a-wave-of-citizen-scientists/ar-BB10gRR9

"We are sorry your publication was delayed by the journal strike, but it is still 'forthcoming' and does not count toward your tenure unless in print."- @ass_deans

CRS InFocus Reports: 1) 'Supplemental Appropriations for USACE Flood Response and Recovery' 2) 'Carbon Sequestration Legislation in the 116th Congress'

1) CRS InFocus report by Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand: Supplemental Appropriations for Army Corps Flood Response and Recovery.

Download CRS_InFocus_Supp_App_USACE_Flood_20Feb_2020

Introduction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, or Army Corps) has a prominent role in responding to natural disasters, especially floods, in U.S. states and territories. Congress has provided USACE with authorities to perform emergency flood fighting (e.g., sandbagging and temporary levee construction) and to repair certain nonfederal flood control works damaged by floods and other events. Congress often pays for these activities through supplemental appropriations. Since 2005, Congress also has provided USACE with supplemental appropriations for construction of flood risk reduction projects in states and territories as part of some post-flood disaster response and recovery efforts.

Additionally, for incident and disaster responses performed pursuant to other federal authorities, the agency leading the federal effort may task USACE with assignments. These assignments are not funded through USACE budget accounts and are not discussed herein. The discussion below focuses on USACE’s emergency flood response and recovery activities pursuant to USACE authorities and supplemental funds, as well as related issues for Congress.

2) This CRS InFocus report is by Angela C. Jones: Carbon Sequestration Legislation in the 116th Congress.

Download CRS_InFocus_CC_Legis_116Congress_21Feb2020

Introduction
Utilizing permanent underground storage of carbon dioxide (CO2), also known as geological sequestration, as a potential strategy to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is receiving increasing congressional attention. Proponents of geological sequestration of CO2 view the process as a promising method of reducing GHG emissions from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power plants, while continuing to use fossil fuels as a source of electricity. Several bills introduced in the 116th Congress would address geological sequestration policy issues, focusing on federal research and development (R&D) and federal tax credits for storing carbon.

Geological sequestration of CO2, a type of carbon storage, is the process of storing CO2 by injecting it into an underground geological formation. Geological sequestration is the final step in a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system—sometimes referred to more expansively as CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage). Geological sequestration is intended to trap CO2emitted from anthropogenic sources permanently underground and reduce net emissions of this GHG into the atmosphere. CO2 can also be stored underground when injected as part of oil and gas production (called enhanced oil recovery, or EOR).

In a CCS system, CO2 is captured from a stationary source, compressed into a fluid to allow for transportation by pipeline, and then injected through specially designed wells into geological formations typically a half a mile or more below the Earth’s surface. An emerging technology to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere—“direct air capture” (DAC)—could also serve as a source of CO2 for geological sequestration. Subsurface geological formations across the United States could be suitable for large-scale sequestration of CO2. These include, for example, deep saline reservoirs (underground basins containing salty fluids) and oil and gas reservoirs no longer in production. CO2 may also be sequestered offshore in deep ocean waters or under the seabed. When injected deep enough underground, high pressures combined with impermeable rocks above the target formation are expected to keep the CO2 from migrating upward into shallower groundwater or into other geological formations. For additional information on the technical aspects of CCS, see CRS Report R44902,Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States, by Peter Folger.

Enjoy both!

"Anything invented after you're 35 is against the natural order of things." - Douglas Adams