http://www.freshare.net/article/ en bobk@freshare.net Copyright 2008 2008-10-10T16:34:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/dry_weather_spells_relief_for_arkansas_farmers/ http://www.freshare.net/article/dry_weather_spells_relief_for_arkansas_farmers/#When:14:35:00Z LITTLE ROCK - After heavy spring rains and flooding delayed planting, then hurricanes damaged crops late in the season, the weather has generally been good as Arkansas farmers begin wrapping up a stressful year. They’re working long hours to get crops out of the field. “We’ve had really good weather, and farmers have started picking cotton hard… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-10-10T14:35:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_to_continue_screenings_of_homes_in_pittsburg_ks_in_response_to_mercury_/ http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_to_continue_screenings_of_homes_in_pittsburg_ks_in_response_to_mercury_/#When:15:04:01Z EPA Region 7 emergency response teams and Crawford County Health Department staff are expecting to complete the screenings of at least a dozen more homes in Pittsburg, Kan., today for mercury exposure, as a joint agency response to a spill of the toxic metal at a local skate park enters its second day. EPA staff and contractors, along… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-09T15:04:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/plastic_pollution_and_the_plight_of_the_planet_by_marlene_a_affeld/ http://www.freshare.net/article/plastic_pollution_and_the_plight_of_the_planet_by_marlene_a_affeld/#When:09:30:00Z By negligently discarding plastic items, especially plastic water bottles, fishing gear and plastic bags, people are unknowingly causing the deaths of millions of mammals, fish, birds and reptiles each and every year. We defile the face of the earth with plastic refuse creating waterway contamination. Since the invention of plastic earlier this century, it has become a popular material used… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-10-08T09:30:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/cow_enzyme_could_make_ethanol_more_efficient_to_produce/ http://www.freshare.net/article/cow_enzyme_could_make_ethanol_more_efficient_to_produce/#When:12:45:00Z Could the answer to more efficient use of corn to make ethanol lie inside a cow’s stomach? That’s exactly what Michigan State University professor Mariam Sticklen thinks. Most manufacturers currently use just the kernels to produce corn based ethanol. But scientists understand that a corn plant stores almost half its energy elsewhere, like in the leaves and stems.… News, Environment 2008-10-06T12:45:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/mo_coalition_for_the_environment_urges_action_on_west_lake_landfill_issue/ http://www.freshare.net/article/mo_coalition_for_the_environment_urges_action_on_west_lake_landfill_issue/#When:11:41:00Z The radioactive wastes at West Lake Landfill, in the Missouri River floodplain, should be cleaned up, not covered up. The landfill is upstream from drinking water intakes for North St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. The wastes can and should be safely excavated under a temporary structure (a negative pressure building that filters the air) and moved… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-03T11:41:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/nixon_challenges_epa/ http://www.freshare.net/article/nixon_challenges_epa/#When:11:29:01Z Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Jay Nixon is challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to stop an EPA decision that could help pave the way for the transfer of water from the Missouri River basin to the Red River basin. As the leading proponent for Missouri’s interests in the Missouri River, Nixon has opposed plans for out-of-basin… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-03T11:29:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/company_announces_bio_material_for_solar_panels/ http://www.freshare.net/article/company_announces_bio_material_for_solar_panels/#When:14:10:00Z In an effort to move away from petroleum based films that add cost and further dependence on oil, BioSolar, Inc. has announced a new product called BioBacksheet™ which is made of materials derived from castor beans and cotton. The new material is suited for use as a back sheet in solar panels, reducing costs by up to 25… News, Environment 2008-10-02T14:10:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_urges_parents_to_contact_health_dept_following_mercury_spill_at_skate_p/ http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_urges_parents_to_contact_health_dept_following_mercury_spill_at_skate_p/#When:14:30:00Z Parents of children who may have been exposed to toxic elemental mercury that was recently spilled on a Pittsburg, Kan., skate park are being strongly urged to immediately contact the Crawford County Health Department so that their children can receive health screenings. Emergency responders from EPA Region 7, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office,… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-01T14:30:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/mu_scientists_go_green_with_gold/ http://www.freshare.net/article/mu_scientists_go_green_with_gold/#When:14:20:00Z Gold nanoparticles are everywhere. They are used in cancer treatments, automobile sensors, cell phones, blood sugar monitors and hydrogen gas production. However, until recently, scientists couldn’t create the nanoparticles without producing synthetic chemicals that had negative impacts on the environment. A new method, created by a University of Missouri research team, not only eliminates any negative environmental impact, but also… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-01T14:20:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/fewer_barriers_to_fish_passage_less_erosion_in_missouri_streams/ http://www.freshare.net/article/fewer_barriers_to_fish_passage_less_erosion_in_missouri_streams/#When:08:46:01Z This year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program provided Missouri nearly $100,000 to reconnect more than 28 stream miles, remove barriers to fish passage, assess and survey low-water crossings, and conduct an inventory of low-head dams. Along with more than $775,000 in partnership funds, the Fish Passage Program will support four fish passage projects… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-10-01T08:46:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_seeks_public_comment_on_proposed_changes_to_list_of_impaired_missouri_w/ http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_seeks_public_comment_on_proposed_changes_to_list_of_impaired_missouri_w/#When:14:51:00Z EPA has released its proposed decision on the remaining portions of Missouri’s 2004/2006 list of impaired waters. EPA is approving Missouri’s listing of 61 waters as impaired, and the delisting of 52 water bodies. The Agency is requesting public comment on its proposed decision to add or restore a total of 135 water bodies and corresponding pollutants (water body/pollutant pairs)… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-26T14:51:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/802_better_bridges_for_missouri_by_pete_rahn_modot/ http://www.freshare.net/article/802_better_bridges_for_missouri_by_pete_rahn_modot/#When:11:17:00Z By Pete Rahn, director, Missouri Department of Transportation Within five years, 802 of Missouri’s worst bridges will be repaired or replaced.  These badly needed improvements will mean crashes avoided, jobs created and the ability to get where you are going easier. When we launched the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program in September 2006, we sought… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-25T11:17:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/hazardous_waste_incinerator_near_st_louis_issued_permit/ http://www.freshare.net/article/hazardous_waste_incinerator_near_st_louis_issued_permit/#When:20:59:00Z Despite a long history of toxic chemical releases, explosions and the fact that it has been operating without a permit for 13 years, the Veolia hazardous waste incinerator near St. Louis was issued a clean air permit by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA issued the permit late last week. Located across the river from St. Louis,… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-19T20:59:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_encourages_students_grades_k_12_to_enter_presidents_environmental_youth/ http://www.freshare.net/article/epa_encourages_students_grades_k_12_to_enter_presidents_environmental_youth/#When:14:45:01Z Entries are now being sought for the 2008 President’s Environmental Youth Awards, which recognize individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school) and youth organizations for protecting our nation’s air, water and land. The program, which honors a variety of environmental projects developed by students, is open to students in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska through EPA Region 7… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-18T14:45:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/hurricane_ike_adds_insult_to_arkansas_growers_injuries/ http://www.freshare.net/article/hurricane_ike_adds_insult_to_arkansas_growers_injuries/#When:10:49:00Z Ike delivered a fresh blow to Arkansas producers trying to pick up the pieces left by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. “We need some sun,” said Scott Monfort, extension plant pathologist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Rice, corn and some soybeans are ready to be harvested, but Ike “is doing nothing but slowing that down.”… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-18T10:49:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/dnr_called_in_to_dispose_of_cyanide_capsules_found_in_carroll_county_baseme/ http://www.freshare.net/article/dnr_called_in_to_dispose_of_cyanide_capsules_found_in_carroll_county_baseme/#When:15:52:00Z The Missouri Department of Natural Resources was called Monday to help officials in Carroll County dispose of more than a dozen sodium cyanide capsules found by a homeowner cleaning his basement. The department’s Environmental Emergency Response section was contacted Monday morning by the Carrollton Fire Department concerning the disposal of 15 sodium cyanide capsules containing markings dating to… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-17T15:52:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/online_map_shows_flooded_missouri_road_closures/ http://www.freshare.net/article/online_map_shows_flooded_missouri_road_closures/#When:13:17:00Z Two separate severe storm systems, including heavy rains from remnants of Hurricane Ike, caused widespread flooding that forced the Missouri Department of Transportation to close dozens of roads this weekend. As of Monday morning, 114 state roads remained closed. MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at http://www.modot.org/ shows locations where highways have been closed because of high water. The map is… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-16T13:17:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/governor_beebe_requests_federal_aid_for_arkansas_crops_damaged_by_gustav_ik/ http://www.freshare.net/article/governor_beebe_requests_federal_aid_for_arkansas_crops_damaged_by_gustav_ik/#When:17:50:00Z LITTLE ROCK - While continuing to monitor the impact of Hurricane Ike on Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for damage to Arkansas crops caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. In his letter to Secretary Ed Schaefer, Governor Beebe asked for a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 45 Arkansas… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-15T17:50:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/boozman_of_arkansas_we_need_an_up_or_down_vote_on_the_american_energy_act/ http://www.freshare.net/article/boozman_of_arkansas_we_need_an_up_or_down_vote_on_the_american_energy_act/#When:13:40:00Z After a five-week vacation, Congress has 14 working days left to pass a comprehensive energy plan that provides relief to Arkansans suffering from the high cost of fuel. I reaffirmed my commitment for H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, by signing a pledge from the grassroots organization, Making Congress Accountable. This group is persuading my colleagues to work… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-10T13:40:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/wind_energy_actions_forum_set_for_sept_15_in_missouri/ http://www.freshare.net/article/wind_energy_actions_forum_set_for_sept_15_in_missouri/#When:12:01:00Z Lisa Daniels of the Minnesota-based Windustry will be one of four speakers during a Sept. 15 live videoconference on wind energy hosted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Energy Center. The forum “Wind Energy Action Options” will identify issues communities should be aware of that affect the development of wind power projects. The Sept. 15 forum is… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-10T12:01:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/gustavs_gusts_rain_will_cost_some_arkansas_rice_farmers_dearly/ http://www.freshare.net/article/gustavs_gusts_rain_will_cost_some_arkansas_rice_farmers_dearly/#When:13:10:00Z REYDEL, Ark. - About 30 percent to 40 percent of the state’s rice crop in southeast Arkansas has been hit hard by remnants of Hurricane Gustav, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. High winds and rain pelted the crop and blew over the plants, a condition called lodging, according to Ralph Mazzanti, an extension rice… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-09T13:10:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/industrial_mineral_online_search_now_available_for_missourians/ http://www.freshare.net/article/industrial_mineral_online_search_now_available_for_missourians/#When:09:24:01Z There are about 800 active industrial mineral mine sites in Missouri, and most counties in Missouri have some kind of industrial mineral mining activity. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has created a new Web page that allows individuals to easily search for permittee information, maps and satellite photos about these mining companies. Using a specially created online… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-09T09:24:01-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/learn_to_green_your_home_lifestyle_at_giant_street_festival/ http://www.freshare.net/article/learn_to_green_your_home_lifestyle_at_giant_street_festival/#When:07:07:00Z Are you curious about going “green”? Do you want to learn more about sustainability in light of rising fuel, food and utility costs? Are you ready to make the leap from recycling and changing light bulbs to a bio-fueled car and a solar home? Find a city block full of expert “green” resources for all ages at the free Green… News, Missouri News, Environment 2008-09-09T07:07:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/white_river_dams_help_limit_crop_flooding/ http://www.freshare.net/article/white_river_dams_help_limit_crop_flooding/#When:15:10:00Z As rains continue to soak the White River Basin, officials of the Army Corps of Engineers are hard at work using federal lakes to minimize flooding of cropland in the White River valley. Meanwhile, officials continue to urge those living near the rivers downstream of these dams to remain on guard should large releases become necessary. The National… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-07T15:10:00-06:00 http://www.freshare.net/article/70_arkansas_counties_still_recovering_after_springs_disastrous_weather/ http://www.freshare.net/article/70_arkansas_counties_still_recovering_after_springs_disastrous_weather/#When:18:40:00Z LITTLE ROCK - The unusually mild summer coupled with preparations for back-to-school have kept our minds preoccupied, but the clean-up and rebuilding from the spring tornadoes, wind storms and floods continues. Gov. Mike Beebe declared 10 Arkansas counties disaster areas after tornadoes killed more than a dozen Arkansans and injured about 150 more. Clean-up from the late spring… News, Arkansas News, Environment 2008-09-05T18:40:00-06:00