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Archive for November 2nd, 2012
‘Beaver tourism’: can it work?
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 2nd, 2012
BBC: Reintroducing a species is never easy. The cause is championed by some, while critics question the wisdom of the species' return, as with the case of the European beaver's return to Scotland.
Hunted to extinction in Scotland in the 16th century, the beavers are part of an official reintroduction trial in Knapdale Forest, Argyll.
Since the trial began, controversy has surrounded the project but it could be that reintroduced species can benefit local economies as well as ecosystems.
Given...
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United Kingdom: Just a small amount of rain could cause flooding this winter – Environment Agency
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 2nd, 2012
Telegraph: The wettest April to June on record, and further wet weather in July, September and October, has left river levels full, the ground saturated and groundwaters in some areas exceptionally high.
The Environment Agency said the ground is so wet in some areas that just the average amount of rain for the season could cause flooding.
The South West and North West, where rivers have already burst their banks, are most vulnerable to river flooding.
Devon, Dorset and Hampshire are most vulnerable...
United Kingdom: Hail, snow and thunder storms coming, forecasters warn
Posted by Telegraph: Hannah Furness on November 2nd, 2012
Telegraph: The Environment Agency has already put out flood warnings in East Anglia, amid fears houses and caravans could be hit by overflowing water.
Parts of the South East, South West and North West will also be affected, with swollen rivers across the country at risk of overflowing.
The Met Office has predicted hail and snow in some regions, with most of the country experiencing showery weather throughout the weekend.
High ground including the Pennines and hills of the Lake District will be covered...
Cambodia approves plan to build profitable dam, displace 50,000+ peasants
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on November 2nd, 2012
Agence France-Presse: Energy-hungry Cambodia on Friday gave the green light to a multi-million dollar hydropower dam backed by companies from China and Vietnam that activists say will affect thousands of people.
The Hydro Power Lower Sesan 2 project will invest $781.5 million to build a 400-megawatt hydroelectric dam on a tributary of the Mekong River in northern Stung Treng province, according to a government statement.
The government did not name the Chinese and Vietnamese firms involved, but said solutions had...
Penn. State Rep. Calls for Probe of DEP Water Testing Reports
Posted by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Don Hopey on November 2nd, 2012
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has created incomplete lab reports and used them to dismiss complaints that Marcellus Shale gas development operations have contaminated residential water supplies and made people sick, according to court documents and other sources.
As a result, state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, today called on state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate the DEP for "alleged misconduct and fraud" described in sworn depositions in a civil case...
Beach Repairs After Sandy May Cost $8 Million a Mile
Posted by Bloomberg: Jim Snyder on November 2nd, 2012
Bloomberg: Superstorm Sandy washed away beaches and sent raw sewage and diesel fuel into waterways, leaving an environmental repair bill for New York and New Jersey exceeding $100 million.
The harm to wildlife and habitats probably will be extensive given the strength and duration of the storm, Larry Ragonese, press director for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said yesterday in an interview.
“We’ve lost beaches,” Ragonese said. “We’ve lost dunes. We’ve lost wetlands. We’ve lost...
Soaked UK could be set for floods
Posted by BBC: Roger Harrabin on November 2nd, 2012
BBC: Soaking Britain may be in for a new bout of flooding in coming months, the Environment Agency has warned.
Rivers are full after the wettest April to June on record, followed by more rain in July, September and October.
The earth is saturated and in many areas there is no more space left in aquifers to store water that seeps through from the surface.
The agency warn that people should be ready for floods even with relatively small amounts of rain.
They warn of increased risk of river flooding...
Pa. State Rep. Calls on Federal Authorities to Investigate Deceptive Marcellus Shale Water-Quality Testing Practices
Posted by EcoWatch: None Given on November 2nd, 2012
EcoWatch: A press release dated Nov. 1 from Pennsylvania State Rep. Jesse White (D-Allegheny/Beaver/Washington), stated that White called for state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for alleged misconduct and fraud revealed by sworn testimony given by a high-ranking DEP official.
White said he received a letter and corresponding documents highlighting the sworn testimony of DEP Bureau of Laboratories Technical Director Taru...
In a Flood-Troubled City, a Refreshing Argument About Climate Change
Posted by New York Times: Jim Dwyer on November 2nd, 2012
New York Times: In the Roaring ’20s, when Nick Carraway came to life in the pages of “The Great Gatsby,” a train ride from West Egg to Manhattan took him past a desolate stretch of ground in Queens. Tucked into a few lines is a clue to long-forgotten chapters in the natural history of New York City. Looking out the window, Carraway describes the scene: “This is a valley of ashes — a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and...
UK ‘likely to face winter floods’
Posted by Guardian: Fiona Harvey, on November 2nd, 2012
Guardian: The UK must brace itself for a high likelihood of winter floods, the Met Office and the government's flooding watchdog have warned.
Saturated ground around the country, and high river and groundwater levels from the wet summer, will mean that much less rainfall than usual is needed to top up water levels and cause severe flooding, according to the Environment Agency.
There is now a significantly higher risk of flooding this autumn and winter, even with small amounts of rain, so households have...