ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES, SEPTEMBER 16 – 22

BEACH HOMES IN THE CLEAR
Galveston Daily News 9/20/06
GALVESTON ­ The Texas General Land Office has scrapped its list of homes on the public beach.

TXDOT RULES OUT MORE TRACKS
Fort Bend Herald-Coaster 9/19/06
A proposal to double the amount of rail along US 90A has been taken off the table by Texas Department of Transportation engineers, who are drafting a plan to increase freight rail capacity in and around Houston.

RICE STUDIES THE BIG PICTURE ON TINY NANOPARTICLES
Houston Chronicle 9/19/06
Vicki Colvin very nearly realized one of her greatest fears earlier this year when six Germans were hospitalized with breathing problems. All had used a household product called Magic Nano. Did tiny “nanoparticles” in the aerosol spray clog their lungs and make them sick?

CANCELED EVENT SHOWS NEED FOR WASTE FACILITY
Galveston County Daily News 9/18/06
The Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority won’t host its annual household hazardous waste recycling event this year because it lacks the money.

MORE CONSUMERS TURN TO WIND, SOLAR POWER
Galveston County Daily News 9/17/06
Using alternative energy sources to power homes can result in savings on electricity bills.

HATCHERY BACK IN BUSINESS AFTER HURRICANE RITA
Houston Chronicle 9/18/06
LAKE JACKSON – Many of those delicious redfish and speckled trout Texas fishermen so love to catch are born in tanks in a nondescript white building in Lake Jackson.

LOUISIANA CRAWFISH FARMERS EXPECT HURRICANES TO CUT YIELD

DECODING TREE’S DNA MAY HELP ENVIRONMENT
Houston Chronicle 9/18/06
WASHINGTON – US Energy Department researchers have deciphered for the first time the genetic code of a tree, which could lead to new varieties better at producing fuel, wood, and paper.

POTENTIAL ORGAN DONORS CAN REGISTER ONLINE
Brazosport Facts 9/16/06
Those who wish to donate their organs now can post their intent online thanks to the Texas Donor Education, Awareness, and Registry Program.

ELLIS COUNTY MAN ORDERED TO KEEP QUIET DURING HUNTING SEASON
Houston Chronicle 9/21/06
An Ellis County man has been ordered by a judge to keep the noise down on his property during deer season after he was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of disrupting hunters.