MDEQ hosted the annual Mississippi Restoration Summit on November 9 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Governor Tate Reeves kicked off the event announcing 16 new RESTORE Act projects. Read more here.

During the summit MDEQ Executive Director Chris Wells updated the public on current restoration projects and a discussion of new projects. A recording of the presentation can be found here, and the meeting's presentation is here. A video of several projects with interviews directly from project contacts debuted at the summit and can be viewed here. MDEQ's restoration efforts are regularly communicated to the public and details on how to sign up can be found on the Restoration webpage.

Governor Reeves Announces Restoration Projects Totaling $26 Million

Governor Tate Reeves announced in December that the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund has approved six restoration projects and two amended projects for Mississippi for a total of $26.8 million. The projects will be administered by MDEQ. Read more here.

MDEQ Office of Restoration staff Tabatha Baum and Valerie Alley accompanied the Institute of Marine Mammals (IMMS) and the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to release an endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle in December. “Squirt,” named by the vet school student who researched and treated its injuries, was rescued during a cold stun event off New England in December 2020. The turtle was released about two miles south of Horn and Ship Islands. The expanded Sea Turtle Stranding and Rehabilitation Network at IMMS is funded in part by MDEQ and the NFWF-Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. Find out about the project here.

“It is our objective to learn if these traps can substantially reduce the amount of litter which enters the Mississippi Sound from upland areas and to collect data on what types of litter are in our streams as well as their sources. We are exploring various ways to improve water quality including conducting this pilot project to remove trash and litter from waterways. We look forward to the results of this project and perhaps the opportunity to expand the use of litter traps coastwide or maybe even statewide,” said Chris Wells, MDEQ Executive Director. Read the press release.

The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) recently released its third draft restoration plan for public review and will accept comments until January 26. The plan includes approximately $19 million for proposed projects to partially address injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The trustees will host a public webinar presenting the plan on January 11 at 2:00 p.m. and will also accept public comments. Find out more information here.

MDEQ announced in November that the 2021 Ozone Monitoring Season ended on October 31 with all counties in Mississippi well below the current ozone standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb) set by EPA. Ozone levels in the state have continued a downward trend in the last 10 years. Read More.

It’s that time of year again—special days of spending time with family, watching a little football on TV, and lots of dinners and treats. That’s right, the holidays are here! We’ve got you covered on tips for going green as you prepare your favorite holiday dishes and goodies. Read More. 

Mississippi’s Household Medical Sharps Collection and Disposal Program managed by MDEQ reached a significant milestone in 2021. As of September 2021, more than 82,700 pounds of household medical sharps have been collected from the public since the inception of the program in 2009. MDEQ projects the total will reach 85,000 pounds collected by the end of the year or the equivalent of 13 million syringes that were kept out of household trash bags preventing needle stick injuries to sanitation workers and other waste management personnel. Household medical sharps include syringes, needles, lancets, and other sharp medical objects.  Read the press release here.

The Rankin County School District joined MDEQ’s enHance program as a new member in 2020. They are the first school district to be accepted as a member. enHance is a voluntary stewardship program that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond their legal requirements. Participating organizations make a commitment to address and achieve ongoing environmental improvements. Read the interview with RCSD's Rusty Ponder here.

Tyler Hardy was named the Air Program Coordinator for the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Division (ECED) in November 2021. He replaces Jay Barkley who retired this year. Tyler has worked at MDEQ for 13 years serving the previous five years as the Manager of ECED’s Air I Branch.