Swem Government Information - Environment

Virginia Annual Recycling Rate Report: Calendar Year 2008 Summary

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:38:00 -0500

http://www.deq.virginia.gov/export/sites/default/recycle/documents/AnnualReport-RRR2008Final.pdf Reports that Virginia's 2008 recycling rate of 38.5% exceeds the national goal of 35% and the 2007 national rate of 33.4%. The report provides an overview of the materials recycled, the amount of waste disposed, and the recycling rate for each solid waste planning region in 2008. From the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

A Comparison of … Suspended-Sediment Concentrations in Three Chesapeake Bay Tributaries

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:16:00 -0500

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/sir/sir20095165 Full title is A Comparison of Turbidity-Based and Streamflow-Based Estimates of Suspended-Sediment Concentrations in Three Chesapeake Bay Tributaries. Describes efforts to improve measurement of sediment flow into the Chesapeake Bay from the James, Rappahannock, and North Fork Shenandoah Rivers. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

Proposed Rule: Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:11:00 -0500

http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/pdfs/20091116SO2NPR.pdf Proposes to strengthen the air quality standards for sulfur dioxide to a level between 50 and 100 parts per billion measured over 1 hour. The existing standards for sulfur dioxide are 140 parts per billion measured over 1 hour and 30 parts per billion measured over an entire year. Estimates that revised standard would yield health benefits valued between $16 billion and $100 billion. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days and a final rule is expected by June 2010. From the Environmental Protection Agency.

Chesapeake Bay Executive Order: Draft Strategy for Chesapeake Bay …

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:00 -0500

http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/ The draft strategy contains a package of federal initiatives to restore clean water, protect fish and wildlife, and adapt to the impacts of climate change for the Chesapeake Bay. Cites deadline for cleanup and restoration of Bay as 2025. Offers links to executive summary and full document. Open for public comment from November 9th through January 8, 2010. Final strategy to be published in May 2010. From the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

Annual List of Candidates for Endangered Species Act

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:45:00 -0500

http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=CA201F3C-F939-38B9-6C7470B0C3F5370B Press release which identifies five new species as candidates for the Endangered Species List and removes four from the list. Also has links to list of candidate species and Federal Register notices. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Methane Capture: Options for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:45:00 -0500

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40813_20090917.pdf Methane is the second most abundant of the greenhouse gases, accounting for about 8% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2007. This report discusses methane gas capture projects as reduction opportunities. Also discusses legislative alternatives for promoting methane capture and current federal programs that support methane recovery. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

Arctic Report Card: Update for 2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:40:00 -0500

http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/ArcticReportCard_full_report.pdf Provides latest information on the effects of global warming on the air, land, sea, and biology of the Arctic region. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Deforestation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:52:00 -0500

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn344.pdf Looks at the reasons why deforestation occurs and the impact it has on the environment. Also examines policies that might reduce the pace of deforestation. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Polar Bear Critical Habitat

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:43:00 -0500

http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2009/pdf/PBCritHabPropNRFINAL.pdf News release announcing a proposal to designate critical habitat for the polar bear which opens a 60 day public comment period. The area proposed for designation covers 200,000 square miles and includes barrier island habitat, sea ice habitat and terrestrial denning areas. A final rule designating critical habitat for the polar bear is required by June 20, 2010. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Managing Electronic Waste: Issues with Exporting E-Waste

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0500

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40850.pdf Electronic waste has become a concern in the U.S. because of its high volume, hazardous nature, and unregulated practice. This report covers concerns about domestic disposal and international exporting of e-waste. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Arctic Oil and Natural Gas Potential

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:03:00 -0500

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/arctic/pdf/arctic_oil.pdf Estimates that the Arctic could hold about 22% of undiscovered oil and natural gas resources in the world. Discusses the possibilities of utilizing these resources and the financial, political, and environmental issues associated with their development. From the Energy Information Administration.

Model Year 2010 Fuel Economy Guide

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:25:00 -0500

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2010.pdf Winners in major vehicle categories include the Honda Civic Hybrid for compact cars, the Toyota Prius Hybrid for midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata for large cars, and the Ford Escape Hybrid for sport utility vehicles. From the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ocean Acidification

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:14:00 -0500

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn343.pdf The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is acidifying the oceans. This report summarizes the science behind ocean acidification and the threats to the marine environment. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Coastal Management

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:12:00 -0500

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn342.pdf Predicted sea level rise and higher storm surges will increase the risk of coastal erosion and flooding. This report examines past and present coastal management policy and the main issues arising for the future English coastline. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

What Parts of the U.S. Mainland are Climatically Suitable for Invasive Alien Pythons from Everglades

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0500

http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Publications/21972/21972.pdf Studies temperature and rainfall patterns to determine the extent of the potential U.S. range for Burmese Pythons spreading north and westward from the Florida Everglades. From the U.S. Geological Survey.