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December 1, 2011

ECONOTES 2011-11-30: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region

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  1. Near-term and long-term, projections include more dry conditions in Texas (Texas Climate News, 11/28/2011)
    The National Weather Service and the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released reports this month on climate change and extreme weather events. Both reports predicted that very dry conditions are to remain for Texas. Meanwhile, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that Texas remains in the worst drought conditions. John Nielsen-Gammon, the Texas state climatologist, says that a dry winter won’t be devastating, but it will set the state up for a horrid spring.
    http://texasclimatenews.org/
  2. Desalination a key part of Texas’ water future (Jeannie Kever – My SA News, 11/21/2011)
    As freshwater becomes more scarce, people will be willing to pay more to make any water drinkable. The latest draft of the state water plan predicts that supplies will fall by 10 percent during the next 50 years. Therefore, desalination has become a more favorable option. The The state’s first permanent seawater desalination plant will open on South Padre Island in 2014. Along with many other state permanent desalination plants, a $255 million plant in Freeport is part of the Houston region’s long-range plan, with a potential date of 2050.
    http://www.mysanantonio.com/
  3. Whooping cranes at center of water dispute (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 11/28/2011)
    The whooping crane, an endangered species, is returning to the Texas coast in record numbers. However, the severe drought and resulting water disputes could make it a hard winter for the cranes. The drought has reduced the flow of fresh water into the tidal pools and marshes where the tall birds congregate. Therefore, some biologists think this could could mean a deadly winter for them. The Aransas Project, an environmental coalition, has accused the state of putting the endangered species in harm’s way with its management of the fresh water flowing into the birds’ habitat. They are putting together a federal case, which pits local governments and environmentalists against state regulators and water suppliers.
    http://www.chron.com/
  4. Keep the Clean Water Act Strong (William K. Reilly – New York Times Op-ed, 11/28/2011)
    NEXT year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a milestone for a series of landmark environmental laws that began with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. Those actions set our nation on a course to restore our damaged natural resources, but today, because of political pressures and court rulings, the extent and durability of some of those key protections are at risk.
    www.nytimes.com

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