DOCSLIB.ORG

Pascagoula River Basin Status Report 2001

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pascagoula River Basin Status Report 2001 Neshoba Kemper Lauderdale Scott Newton Smith Clarke Jasper Simpson Covington Jefferson Wayne Davis Jones Forrest Marion Perry Greene PPaassccaaggoouullaa Lamar Pearl George River RRiivveerr BBaassiinn Stone SSttaattuuss Jackson RReeppoorrtt 22000011 Cover Photographs (clockwise, from top left): The background cover photo was taken on the Leaf River at Highway 98 in Greene County. The Leaf River drains the western half of the basin. The upper left cover photo was taken in a hardwood swamp near the Pascagoula River at Merrill. These cypress and tupelo gum swamps provide habitat for a number of wildlife species. The upper right cover illustration depicts the boundary of the Pascagoula River Basin, as well as county lines, major roads, and major streams and lakes in the basin. The lower right cover photo was taken on Black Creek in southern Forrest County. Black Creek is the only federally designated Wild and Scenic Stream in the state. The lower left cover photo was taken on Bowie Creek in Covington County. Many of the streams in the basin are used for recreational purposes. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This document is a product of the Pascagoula River Basin Team, which consists of representatives from twenty- six state and federal agencies, and was developed under the leadership of the Basin Management Approach staff of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The Pascagoula River Basin Team consists of the following resource agency partners: State of Mississippi Agencies Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Bureau of Plant Industry (MDAC/BPI) Development Authority (MDA) Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Forestry Commission (MFC) Health (MSDH) Marine Resources (MDMR) Mississippi – Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) MSU Extension Service (MSU/ES) Pat Harrison Waterway District (PHWD) Soil & Water Conservation Commission (MSWCC) Transportation (MDOT) University of Southern Mississippi (USM) University of Southern Mississippi, College of Marine Science, Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL) Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) Water Resource Research Institute (MWRRI) United States Government Agencies Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (USACOE) Agricultural Research Service, National Sedimentation Lab (USDA/ARS/NSL) Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program (EPA/GOMP) Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 (EPA/R4) Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Forest Service (USDA/USFS) Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) Copies of this report may be obtained by contacting: Jackie Key Pascagoula River Basin Coordinator Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 10385 Jackson, MS 39289-0385 (601) 961-5057 [email protected] or by visiting MDEQ’s web site http://www.deq.state.ms.us i ii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . 1 What Is The Pascagoula River Basin Status Report? ………………………….…………… 1 What’s Inside? ……………………………………………………………………..…………… 1 Who Should Read This Document? ………………………………………………..………... 2 How Is The Status Report Related To Other Basin Planning Activities? …………..….…. 2 PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN DESCRIPTION . 3 Where Is The Pascagoula River Basin? ……………………………………………………… 3 What Are The Characteristics Of The Basin’s Land Surface? …………………………….. 3 What Are The Water Resources In The Basin? …………………..………………………… 4 What Are The Biological Features………………………………………..…………..……… 5 How Important Is Ground Water? …………………………………………………..……… 5 Where Do People Live In The Basin? ……………………………………………………….. 6 How Are Lands Used In The Basin? ………………………………………………………… 7 How Do These Land Uses Impact Water Quality? ………………………………………… 7 ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES . 14 What Are Water Resource Assessments And How Are They Used? ………………….... 14 What Are The Main Assessment Reports In The State? ……………….………………….. 15 What Are The Assessments Based Upon? ………………………………………………..… 17 What Are The Findings Of These Assessments? ……………………………………….….. 18 What Are The Main Pollutants Of Concern In The Basin? ……………………………….. 18 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN . 22 What Programs Are Working To Improve Water Quality? ……………………………… 22 State-Administered Regulatory Programs ………………………………………………… 22 Federally-Administered Regulatory Programs………………………………………….… 23 State-Administered Management/Assistance Programs ………………………………… 23 Federally-Administered Management/Assistance Programs ………………………..…. 25 Basin-Specific Agencies and Management Programs That Address Water Quality ………………………………………………………….….. 27 Identifying, Evaluating, and Addressing Issues of Concern Through the Basin Management Approach ……………………………….………..….. 28 What Can You Do To Help? …………………………………………………………..……. 29 Who Can You Contact To Learn More? …………………………………………………… 29 iii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Basin Management Groups under the Mississippi Basin Approach to Water Quality Management (MDEQ).........................................................................1 Figure 2. Basin Management Cycle (MDEQ)..................................................................................2 Figure 3. Pascagoula River Basin (MDEQ)......................................................................................3 Figure 4. Sub-basins of the Pascagoula River Basin (MDEQ).......................................................4 Figure 5. Number and Locations of Public Water Supply Wells in the Pascagoula River Basin (MDEQ 1999) ..................................................................6 Figure 6. Population by County (US Census Bureau)...................................................................6 Figure 7. Population Trends 1970 to 2000 (US Census Bureau)...................................................6 Figure 8. Major Land Cover in the Pascagoula River Basin (MARIS).........................................7 Figure 9. Distribution of Land Cover in the Pascagoula River Basin (MARIS) .........................8 Figure 10. Acres of Row Crop Production by County (USDA 1997).............................................8 Figure 11. Number of Livestock Operations by County (USDA 1997) .........................................9 Figure 12. Number of Mining Operations by County (MDEQ 2001)............................................10 Figure 13. Number of Permitted Industrial Sewage Dischargers by County (MDEQ 2001) ....................................................................................................11 Figure 14. Number of Permitted Municipal Sewage Dischargers by County (MDEQ 1999).....................................................................................................11 Figure 15. Number of Hazardous Waste Sites by County (MDEQ 1999).....................................12 Figure 16. Number of Hazardous Waste Generators by County (MDEQ 2001)..........................13 Figure 17. Aquatic Life Use Support Map (MDEQ 2000)................................................................15 Figure 18. Recreation Use Support Map (MDEQ 2000)...................................................................16 iv INTRODUCTION What Is The Pascagoula River Basin Basin Groups and Cycle Year Status Report? Year Group Basin Started Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality I Big Black , Tombigbee, and 1998 (MDEQ) manages its water programs on a Tennessee River Basins basinwide scale and has established a process that II Yazoo River and North 1999 coordinates the water assessment and management activities of numerous state and federal agencies. Independent Streams Basins, and adjacent tributaries of the This process, the Mississippi Basin Approach to Water Quality Management, will culminate with the Mississippi River development of basin management plans for each of III Pearl River and South 2000 Mississippi’s major river basins (Figure 1). The Independent Streams Basins, development of each of the basin management plans and adjacent tributaries of the will be carried out in five successive phases, Mississippi referred to as the Basin Management Cycle — IV Pascagoula River Basin 2001 Planning, Data Gathering, Data Evaluation, V Coastal Streams Basin 2002 Management Plan Development, and Implementation (Figure 2). An early activity under What’s Inside? the planning phase of the Basin Management Cycle is the preparation of a Basin Status Report. This After this introduction, the report is divided into document provides an overview of the Pascagoula three major sections. Each section builds on the River Basin, describes the basin’s current water previous one to explain the condition of water quality conditions, and identifies current assessment resources within the Pascagoula River Basin. and management activities within the basin. The first section provides an overall description of II I the basin and its major features, including hydrology, land use characteristics, and biological features. II I Group 1 II Group 2 I The second section summarizes how water quality III Group 3 in Mississippi is assessed and describes the current IV Group 4 I data collection efforts and research programs that V Group 5 are occurring within the basin. The status of the water quality conditions in the basin for ground III water and surface water is reviewed. Additionally, this section identifies some of the activities that may IV III affect water quality in the basin. Management needs that have been identified and future steps in the basin management cycle are also discussed. V The third
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 3: Affected Environment
    3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter of the Kemper County IGCC Project EIS presents information describing environmental and other resources that might potentially be affected by the proposed action or analyzed alternatives; it serves as a baseline from which the proposed project’s impacts are evaluated. This chapter describes the existing or baseline conditions of resources relative to the three major components of the proposed project: (1) the power plant, which is the component of the project that would be supported by the proposed action (funding and loan guarantee), and several offsite connected actions, including (2) the lignite surface mine, and (3) various linear facilities (pipelines and electric power lines). Environmental characteristics of the affected sites and rights-of-way, as well as their immediate surroundings, are described to levels of detail commensurate with importance of the issues or potential impacts. In most sections baseline conditions are described in detail. However, in some other sections, given the nature of some aspects of this project and the limited potential to impact some environmental resources, relatively brief information is provided to describe the existing environmental characteristics or baseline conditions. The information and data provided in this chapter were gathered during field surveys as well as drawn from literature reports, maps, databases, and other publicly available sources. Sources include specific, project- related environmental documents and permit applications that have previously been filed. The information is pre- sented in the following sections, which describe the physical, biological, environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, and aesthetic and other features and conditions of the project areas and their surroundings: • 3.2—Regional Setting and General Area • 3.11—Wetlands.
    [Show full text]
  • 6 the Pascagoula River Basin
    Contents Water—Our Precious Natural Resource. 3 Mississippi’s Water Resources . 4 Welcome to the Pascagoula River Basin . 6 Special Plants and Animals of the Pascagoula River Basin . 13 Land Use and Its Effects on Water Quality . 16 Water Quality in the Pascagoula River Basin . 21 Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan . 26 Mississippi’s Basin Management Approach . 27 Priority Watersheds . 28 Agencies and Organizations Cooperating for Improved Water Quality . 33 Sustaining Our Environmental Resources and Economic Development . 35 About this Guide Acknowledgments Mississippi’s Citizen’s Guides to Water This guide is a product of the Basin Team for the Quality are intended to inform you about: Pascagoula River Basin, consisting of representatives from 39 state and federal Mississippi’s abundant water resources agencies and stakeholder organizations (see Natural features, human activities, and pages 33–34 of this document for a complete water quality in a particular river basin listing). The lead agency for developing, distributing, and funding this guide is the The importance of a healthy environ- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality ment to a strong economy (MDEQ). This effort was completed in 2008 under a Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Watersheds targeted for water quality restoration and protection activities Source grant, and includes publication services from Tetra Tech, Inc. How to participate in protecting or Copies of this guide may be obtained by restoring water quality contacting: Mississippi Department of Whom to contact for more information Environmental Quality Office of Pollution Control We hope these guides will enhance the 515 East Amite Street dialogue between citizens and key decision Jackson, MS 39201 makers to help improve our management 601-961-5171 of Mississippi’s precious water resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Chunky-Okatibbee Watershed Implementation Plan
    Chunky-Okatibbee Watershed Implementation Plan Prepared by: Eco-Systems, Inc Prepared for: East Mississippi Foothills Land Trust May 2007 Watershed Implementation Plan Chunky-Okatibbee Watershed Project May 2007 1.0 Executive Summary .................................................................................3 2.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................6 2.1 Vision Statement ....................................................................................7 2.2 Mission Statement ..................................................................................7 2.3 Watershed Implementation Team ...........................................................7 3.0 Watershed Description ..........................................................................11 3.1 Overview...............................................................................................11 3.2 Demographics and Primary Land Uses ................................................15 3.3 Physical Geology..................................................................................18 3.4 Wetlands...............................................................................................18 3.5 Environmental Management Areas ......................................................19 3.6 Parks and Recreational Areas ..............................................................20 4.0 Stakeholder Interests.............................................................................23 4.1 Survey
    [Show full text]
  • Floods of April 1979, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia
    FLOODS OF APRIL 1979, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA Report prepared jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1319 Floods of April 1979, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA FRONTISPIECE. Sequence of photographs showing the destruction of the bridge on State Highway 50 over the Tallapoosa River below Martin Dam near Tallassee, Ala., about 1630 CST, April 14, 1979. Photographs courtesy of H. H. Weldon, Electic, Ala. FLOODS OF APRIL 1979, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA By GEORGE W. EDELEN, JR., K. V. WILSON, and JOE R. HARKINS, U.S. Geological Survey, and JOHN F. MILLER and EDWIN H. CHIN, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1319 Report prepared jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1986 UNITED STATES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DONALD PAUL MODEL, Secretary MALCOLM BALDRIDGE, Secretary NATIONAL OCEANIC AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Dallas L. Peck, Director Anthony J. Calio, Administrator Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Main entry under title: Floods of April 1979, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (Geological Survey professional paper; 1319) "Report prepared jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration." Bibliography: p. 45 1. Floods Mississippi. 2. Floods Alabama 3. Floods Georgia I. Edelen, George W. II. Geological Survey (U.S.) III. United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    [Show full text]
  • Reference Conditions for Sediment in the Pascagoula River Basin, Mississippi
    Channel and Watershed Processes Research Unit National Sedimentation Laboratory Oxford, Mississippi REFERENCE CONDITIONS FOR SEDIMENT IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN, MISSISSIPPI By Lauren Farrugia and Andrew Simon April 2005 REFERENCE CONDITIONS FOR SEDIMENT IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN, MISSISSIPPI Prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service National Sedimentation Laboratory Channel and Watershed Process Research Unit For Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality May 2005 Suspended-Sediment Reference Conditions: Pascagoula River Basin iii ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REFERENCE CONDITIONS FOR SEDIMENT IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN, MISSISSIPPI ARS Designated Representative and Project Manager: Carlos V. Alonso Technical Direction, Data Analysis: Andrew Simon and Lauren Farrugia Report Preparation: Lauren Farrugia Mapping, GIS and Interactive CD: Danny Klimetz Field Operations and Database Management: Mark Griffith and Lauren Farrugia Field Data Collection and Data Processing: Mark Griffith, Lauren Farrugia, Danny Klimetz, Brian Bell, and Micah Findiesen. Suspended-Sediment Reference Conditions: Pascagoula River Basin iv ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Seven segments within the Pascagoula River Basin are listed as having impaired conditions for aquatic life due to sediment. An additional twelve sites in the basin are listed for
    [Show full text]
  • Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Environmental Assessment
    MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT May 2008 Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Comprehensive Resource Management Plan and Coastal Environments, Inc. 2008. Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Environmental Assessment. Prepared for National Park Service, Atlanta, GA. Contract No. 07-041, Biloxi, MS. MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Prepared By: Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Comprehensive Resource Management Plan Biloxi, MS And Coastal Environments, Inc. Biloxi, MS Baton Rouge, LA Prepared For: National Park Service Atlanta, GA May 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..........................................................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................................vi 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION.................................................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................1 1.2 PURPOSE OF PROPOSED ACTION....................................................................................................1 1.3 PROJECT LOCATION........................................................................................................................2 1.4 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Survey of Aquatic Plant Species in Mississippi Waterbodies
    2020 Survey of Aquatic Plant Species in Mississippi Waterbodies A report submitted to the Mississippi Aquatic Invasive Species Council Gray Turnage, Andrew Sample, and Colin McLeod Mississippi State University, Geosystems Research Institute Starkville, MS 39759 GRI Report #5086 October 2020 2020 Survey of Aquatic Plant Species in Mississippi Waterbodies Gray Turnage, Andrew Sample, and Colin McLeod Mississippi State University, Geosystems Research Institute Executive Summary Conclusions • Only two lakes (George and Lower) and three rivers/creeks (Homochitto and Little Hatchie rivers and Hickahala creek) in this survey had a plant assemblages entirely composed of native aquatic and riparian plant species. • There were 40 new plant species observed in the lake survey; of which, 6 were non- native species (all riparian). • Overall, there were 119 aquatic and riparian plant species observed in the river/creek surveys; of which, 18 were non-native. • Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides: 7 waterbodies), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes: 4 waterbodies, and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera: 4 waterbodies) were the most widespread non-native aquatic plant species found in lakes. • Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides: 14 waterbodies), Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera: 7 waterbodies), and common reed (Phragmites australis: 5 waterbodies were the most widespread non-native aquatic plant species found in rivers and lakes. Recommendations • Continue monitoring waterbodies within Mississippi for the presence of non-native aquatic plant species. • Implement early detection, rapid response (EDRR) management options on populations of those non-native aquatic plant species known to be in Mississippi, specifically small isolated populations before they spread to other sites. • Determine suitable goals for management of large populations of non-native aquatic plant species.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Channel Adjustments in the Pascagoula River Basin and Adjacent Systems, Southeast Mississippi
    The University of Southern Mississippi The Aquila Digital Community Master's Theses Spring 5-2014 Historical Channel Adjustments in the Pascagoula River Basin and Adjacent Systems, Southeast Mississippi Michael Charles Ayers University of Southern Mississippi Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses Recommended Citation Ayers, Michael Charles, "Historical Channel Adjustments in the Pascagoula River Basin and Adjacent Systems, Southeast Mississippi" (2014). Master's Theses. 3. https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/3 This Masters Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The University of Southern Mississippi HISTORICAL CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN AND ADJACENT SYSTEMS, SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI by Michael Charles Ayers A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Approved: Franklin T. Heitmuller ____________________________________ Director Omar R. Harvey ____________________________________ Maurice Meylan ____________________________________ Maureen A Ryan ____________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School May 2014 ABSTRACT HISTORICAL CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER BASIN AND ADJACENT SYSTEMS, SOUTHEASTERN MISSISSIPPI by Michael Charles Ayers May 2014 This project identifies historical cross-section adjustments in 13 rivers of the Pascagoula Basin and adjacent fluvial systems over the last 30-50 years, which could reveal hydrologic and sedimentary responses to natural causes such as flooding or various anthropogenic activities in the region, such as logging, urban development, and instream aggregate extraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Clarke County Geology and Mineral Resources
    Clarke County Geology and Mineral Resources William A. Gilliland Danny W. Harrelson BULLETIN 121 MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BUREAU OF GEOLOGY ALVIN R. BICKER, JR. Bureau Director Jackson, Mississippi 1980 Suggested cataloging data by the Bureau of Geology Gilliland, William A., 1935- Clarke County geology and mineral resources. (Mississippi. Bureau of Geology. Bulletin 121) 1.Geology—Mississippi—Clarke County. 2. Water, Underground—Mississippi— Clarke County. I. Harrelson, Danny W., 1954- II. Title. III. Series. QE 129.A2 no. 121 557.62 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Commissioners Jolly McCarty, Chairman Pascagoula Robert Anderson Corinth Charlie Huffstatler Tupelo Ms. Gladys Slayden Holly Springs James Sumrall Bay Springs Alva Temple Columbus Marshall Watkins Jackson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Charlie L. Blalock BUREAU OF GEOLOGY Administrative Alvin R. Bicker, Jr Director Michael B. E. Bograd Admin. Geologist Patricia A. Lofton ...Admin. Assist. Norma B. Shows....Geological Aide L. Michele Morphis....Clerk Typist Anne G. Bellomy Librarian Environmental Subsurface Curtis W. Stover Section Chief Edwin E. Luper Section Chief John E. Malanchak Geologist Ronald J. Tarbutton Geologist S. Mark Smith Geologist Dora M. Devery Geologist Michael C. Seal Geologist Surface D. T. Dockery, III ....Section Chief Ground Water William A. Gilliland Geologist D. W. Harrelson Section Chief Surface Mining and Reclamation W. Howard Johnson Geologist R. B. Wilson, Sr Administrator W. D. Easom Geological Aide Charles H. Estes, III Engineer J. P. Bradshaw Geological Aide Lindsey Stewart Geologist R. B. Kimbrough ..Geological Aide Dorothy Polen Secretary LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Mississippi Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Geology Mr. Jolly McCarty, and Members of the Commission Department of Natural Resources Commissioners: The Bureau of Geology is pleased to transmit to you Bulletin 121, entitled "Clarke County Geology and Mineral Resources" by William A.
    [Show full text]
  • MS TIG Draft 2016-2017 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment
    Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Draft 2016-2017 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Birds; and Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source) December 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) mobile drilling unit exploded, caught fire, and eventually sank in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a massive release of oil and other substances from BP Exploration and Production Inc.’s Macondo well. Initial efforts to cap the well following the explosion were unsuccessful, and for 87 days after the explosion, the well continuously and uncontrollably discharged oil and natural gas into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 3.19 million barrels (134 million gallons) of oil were released into the ocean (U.S. v. BP et al. 2015), by far the largest offshore oil spill in the history of the United States. Oil spread from the deep ocean to the surface and nearshore environment across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Extensive response actions, including cleanup activities and actions to try to prevent the oil from reaching sensitive resources, were undertaken to try to reduce harm to people and the environment. However, many of these response actions had collateral impacts on the environment. The oil and other substances released from the well in combination with the extensive response actions together make up the DWH oil spill. As an oil pollution incident, the DWH oil spill was subject to the provisions of the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990, which addresses preventing, responding to, and paying for oil pollution incidents in navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, and the exclusive economic zone of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Channel Migration and Geology on the Chickasawhay River, Southeast Mississippi
    CHANNEL MIGRATION AND GEOLOGY ON THE CHICKASAWHAY RIVER, SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI By MARILYN C. OGBUGWO A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2005 To my Ocala family and my family back home, for love that’s free. To my friends who have helped to make the U.S. a little more like home. And to Chineke, for who you are. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank my entire field team: Jim Rasmussen, for his invaluable help with the fieldwork and sample collection; Glenn Hermassen, for complaining, and for not complaining about my canoeing skills; and Miles, Cara, and Llew, for camping out and for the ride home. I thank David Coley, for his help with creating and running the GIS, and for all his editing and quality assurance work on the GIS aspects of this project. I thank my committee: Dr. Brenner for his suggestions, patience and great help, and for reviewing and editing the entire manuscript; Dr. Jaeger, for his helpful suggestions and invaluable help with the sedimentology aspects of this work. And I thank Dr. Mossa. I thank her for her guidance and for all that I have learned. I thank her for always being the steer woman on our canoe trips, and for taking care of all the logistics. Funding for this project was provided by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Local sponsors include the Pat Harrison Waterway District, and the Mississippi Nature Conservancy through the United States Geological Survey.
    [Show full text]