Vol. 18 Issue 5 May 2021
News from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Want to Work for MDEQ?

MDEQ launched new career-related webpages in May for job seekers. The pages include the types of positions available at the agency, benefits, job announcements, and a candidate submission portal for prospective employees.

MDEQ offers a variety of natural resource and environmental careers for engineers, geologists, scientists, accountants, and other professionals.

The main page can be found here and the candidate submission portal here.
Governor Tate Reeves Announces Approval of Mississippi Restoration Projects
 
Governor Tate Reeves announced on April 28 that the RESTORE Council approved a plan that included two restoration projects for Mississippi. The RESTORE Council voted to approve a Funded Priorities List that includes 20 projects across the Gulf Coast under the RESTORE Act’s “Bucket 2.” The projects will be managed MDEQ. Read the press release.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials is promoting National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31. National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established in memoriam of the 2,220 people who lost their lives in the South Fork Dam failure near Johnston, Pennsylvania, in 1889. The association encourages people to understand the continued importance of dam safety, the role various parties play, current issues, and why investment in this infrastructure is urgently needed.

MDEQ's Dam Safety Program works to protect people and property from the damaging consequences of catastrophic dam failures. That includes providing sufficient oversight of the operational safety and structural integrity of dams in Mississippi to minimize the possibility of a life threatening catastrophic failure occurring at a dam that falls.
EPA Selects Three Projects in Mississippi to Receive $1 Million for Brownfields Cleanup and Assessment

On May 12, EPA announced the selection of three projects Greenville, Natchez, and Yazoo City for Brownfields grants totaling $1.04 million.  

“We are proud of the successes we have had in Mississippi working with communities and EPA to obtain Brownfields grants that make a real difference in revitalizing previously underused properties. The most current grants will continue efforts to improve the environment as well as help boost the economy of these local communities. Since 2006, Mississippi communities have been awarded more than 40 Brownfield grants worth over $17 million, and that is a direct result of the hard work of our community leaders, their grant writing staffs, and the staff of MDEQ's Brownfield Program,” said Chris Wells, MDEQ Executive Director.

Greenville -- funds will be used to update the brownfield site inventory and conduct 10 Phase I and five Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop five cleanup plans and support community outreach activities.

Natchez -- funds will be used to develop a GIS-based site inventory, conduct five Phase I and five Phase II environmental site assessments at priority sites, and conduct three Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments at non-priority sites. Natchez-specific press release.

Yazoo City -- funds will be used to clean up the Afro-American Sons and Daughters Hospital site. Read the entire press release.
EPA Announces $256,000 Grant for Beach Water Quality in Mississippi

The EPA recently announced $256,000 in grant funding to carry out beach water quality monitoring and public notification programs in Mississippi. The funds are used by MDEQ to monitor Mississippi beaches year round.

Beach advisories are posted on the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program website to notify the public when bacteria levels exceed water quality criteria and water contact poses an increased risk to human health. In addition, anyone can sign up for text or email alerts for up-to-date information on the beaches and when advisories are issued or lifted. Sign up here.
 
As a reminder, these advisories refer to water contact and visitors can still enjoy the sand portion of a beach during an advisory.
Jackson Area E-Waste Collection Event

MDEQ is a sponsor and partner of the upcoming e-waste collection event at the Mississippi Farmers Market off High Street in Jackson. The event will take place on May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More information.
Photo of the Month

Gulfport Harbor taken by MDEQ's Ethan Mayeu.