ECONOTES 2012-06-10: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region
Featured
- Beat the crowds and discover 10 of Texas’ overlooked state parks. (Rob McCorkle – Texas Parks & Wildlife, 06/05/2012)
There are more that 90 state parks in Texas, from Bastrop to Garner to Palo Duro Canyon. However, there are some lesser-known state parks waiting to be discovered. A few include Goliad State Park & Historic Site, Kickapoo Cavern State Park, and Copper Breaks State Park. Consider spending some time outside in one of these parks. Find an off-the-beaten-path spelunking adventure, a glimpse of prehistoric Texas, a place for your kids to see a longhorn or bison, or the perfect spot to pitch a tent beneath starry skies.
http://www.tpwmagazine.com/ - Coral Reefs in Texas (Lee Kuruganti – USA Today Travel, 05/14/2012)
The northwestern region of the Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Texas is home to several dozen coral reefs supporting a diverse assortment of marine life amid a coast dotted with oil platforms. Divers exploring the underwater “rain forests” of Texas should possess intermediate to advanced skills. The best months to view Texas coral reefs are February to October; expect unpredictable weather and strong currents.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/ - The Private Space Industry Has Eyes For Texas, But Not Everyone’s On Board (Kelly Connelly – StateImpact, 06/06/2012)
Space X, a the private space exploration company, is lookign to expand their operation in Texas by building a launch pad outside of Brownsville located at the southern tip of Texas. The launch pad could be economically beneficial for the city, but the plot of land is surrounded by Boca Chica State Park – the home of several endangered species, including sea turtles, ocelots, jaguarundi, and piping plovers. The launch pad may negatively impact the wildlife.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/
EcoNotes
- 9 June
- Record heat marches on: Texas and contiguous US had warmest spring on record (Texas Climate News)
http://texasclimatenews.org/
- Record heat marches on: Texas and contiguous US had warmest spring on record (Texas Climate News)
- 8 June
- Cooling Centers Open Across Houston (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - A Look Inside the ERCOT Grid Control Center (Filipa Rodrigues and Robb Jacobson – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Warmest U.S. Spring On Record: NOAA (Deborah Zabarenko – PlanetArk)
http://planetark.org/
- Cooling Centers Open Across Houston (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
- 7 June
- EPA Proposes Approval of Texas’ Clean Air Plan (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - What’s Behind the EPA’s Approval of Texas’ New Clean Air Plan (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Is the Drought Ending? Who Really Knows (Daniel Ramirez – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - After a few months, drought returns to part of Houston region (Houston Chronicle)
http://blog.chron.com/ - Have You Talked to Your Doctor About Fracking? (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Island Officials to Break Ground on $75 Million Wastewater Treatment Plant (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - Solar Technologies (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/
- EPA Proposes Approval of Texas’ Clean Air Plan (EPA News)
- 6 June
- The Private Space Industry Has Eyes For Texas, But Not Everyone’s On Board (Kelly Connelly – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Looking at EPA Enforcement, Beyond the Rhetoric (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - In Photos (and Video): The Transit of Venus (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - KUHF Conversations: Rice Engineering Professor Phil Bedient (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Shangri La Announces Wild Wednesdays Programs for June 2012 (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/
- The Private Space Industry Has Eyes For Texas, But Not Everyone’s On Board (Kelly Connelly – StateImpact)
- 5 June
- Beat the crowds and discover 10 of Texas’ overlooked state parks. (Rob McCorkle – Texas Parks & Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com/ - Comprehensive effort brings the flatfish back from the edge of obscurity. (David Sikes – Texas Parks & Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com/ - An Interactive Map of EPA Superfund Sites in Texas (Terrence Henry and David Barer – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Toxic Legacy: 30 Years Later, A Superfund Site Still a Threat (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - The Green Economy on World Environment Day (EarthShare)
http://www.earthshare.org/ - Dedicated volunteers continue to fight serious threats to Gulf populations. (Rusty Middleton – Texas Parks & Wildlife)
http://www.tpwmagazine.com/
- Beat the crowds and discover 10 of Texas’ overlooked state parks. (Rob McCorkle – Texas Parks & Wildlife)
- 4 June
- How America’s Trash Became a Worldwide Problem: An Interview with Garbology Author Edward Humes (Lily Primeaux – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - “Wildlife for Lunch†webinar addressing nature photography for fun and profit to be held June 21st, 2012 (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - Texas Companies, Cities and Universities Increase Energy Efficiency with EDF Climate Corps (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/
- How America’s Trash Became a Worldwide Problem: An Interview with Garbology Author Edward Humes (Lily Primeaux – StateImpact)
- 3 June
- Habitat Restoration in Montgomery County (Houston Chronicle)
http://blog.chron.com/
- Habitat Restoration in Montgomery County (Houston Chronicle)
- 2 June
- Mitchells restore land to pre-settlement condition (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/
- Mitchells restore land to pre-settlement condition (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
- 1 June
- Spaceport plan in Texas raises wildlife concerns (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - In Photos: The Impact of Oil (Lily Primeaux – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Higher Prices for Texas Electricity: What A New Report Recommends (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/
- Spaceport plan in Texas raises wildlife concerns (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
- 31 May
- EPA Letter Raised Concerns about Keystone XL Through Texas (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Exploring the Gap Between Water Supply and Energy Development (Sheyda Aboii – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Drought Monitor: A Slight Reversal (Daniel Ramirez – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Heat and health: More deaths from global warming projected north of Texas (Texas Climate News)
http://texasclimatenews.org/ - Thanks to the Drought, Farmland Values Mostly Flat in Texas (Lily Primeaux – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Texas Power: Slim Reserves Getting Slimmer (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Home Values Higher near National Wildlife Refuges, New Study Finds (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - Start of Summer Amps Up the Fun At National Wildlife Refuges (Guidry News)
http://guidrynews.com/ - Exclusive: Exxon Mobil plans major new U.S. chemical plant (Ernest Scheyder – Reuters)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/
- EPA Letter Raised Concerns about Keystone XL Through Texas (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
- 30 May
- New Water Center Aims to Help With State’s Struggles (Sheyda Aboii – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Private-public partnerships foster land and water conservation in Trinity River Basin (Texas Water Resources Institute)
http://twri.tamu.edu/ - Cook’s Branch Conservancy receives Texas’ highest award for private land conservation (Texas Water Resources Institute)
http://twri.tamu.edu/ - 18 U.S. Teachers Receive Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - TCEQ approves fines totaling $923,329 (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/
- New Water Center Aims to Help With State’s Struggles (Sheyda Aboii – StateImpact)
- 29 May
- Editorial: Time for Texas to quit warring with the EPA (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - Saving the Woodpecker: How a Texas Oil Billionaire Rebuilt a Forest (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Why Climate Change May Increase Water Demands (Sheyda Aboii – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Chesapeake Energy: Everything You Need To Know About The ‘World’s Biggest Fracker’ (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - EPA and Department of Veterans Affairs to Connect Veterans with Jobs in Water Sectors (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/
- Editorial: Time for Texas to quit warring with the EPA (Houston Chronicle)
- 28 May
- People power: Bike to work day promotes commuting alternatives (Rusty Graham – YourMemorialNews)
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/ - Wastewater inspires rush (Jennifer Dlouhy – My SA News)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/ - Fracturing water worries prompt cleanup push (Jennifer A. Dlouhy – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/
- People power: Bike to work day promotes commuting alternatives (Rusty Graham – YourMemorialNews)
- 27 May
- Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership sets meeting (The Baytown Sun)
http://baytownsun.com/
- Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership sets meeting (The Baytown Sun)
- 26 May
- Grant could help farmer’s market better serve ‘food desert’ (Lisa Trow and Tori Brock – The Huntsville Item)
http://itemonline.com/
- Grant could help farmer’s market better serve ‘food desert’ (Lisa Trow and Tori Brock – The Huntsville Item)
- 25 May
- A good way to get around the Galveston county (Andrea Daniel – The Galveston Daily News)
http://galvestondailynews.com/
- How the Drought Exposed Texas’ Water Insecurity (Sheyda Aboii – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Galveston launches weekend shuttle service (Houston Chronicle)
http://blog.chron.com/
- A good way to get around the Galveston county (Andrea Daniel – The Galveston Daily News)
- 24 May
- R.I.P. Georgia Bost, Founder of Georgia’s Texas Grassfed Beef and Georgia’s Farm to Market (Katharine Shilcutt – HoustonPress)
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ - Texas Nature Challenge 2012 kicks off this weekend (Guidry News)
http://guidrynews.com/ - Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership to hold public meeting June 7 (The Liberty County Vindicator)
http://www.thevindicator.com/
- R.I.P. Georgia Bost, Founder of Georgia’s Texas Grassfed Beef and Georgia’s Farm to Market (Katharine Shilcutt – HoustonPress)
- 14 May
- Coral Reefs in Texas (Lee Kuruganti – USA Today Travel)
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/
- Coral Reefs in Texas (Lee Kuruganti – USA Today Travel)