WaterWired

CRS Thursday Twofer Reports: 1) 'Wildfire Management Funding - FY2021 Appropriations'; 2) 'Forest Service - FY2021 Appropriations'

1) Katie Hoover penned this 18 February 2021 CRS Report: 'Wildfire ManagementFunding - FY2021Appropriations'

Click on the graphics to display/enlarge them.

Download CRS_Wildfire_Management_FY2021_18Feb2021

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (FS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) are responsible for wildfire response and management across the federal lands within their respective jurisdictions. Both FS and DOI generally receive annual discretionary appropriations for wildfire management activities through Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations laws. Wildfire management funding for DOI is provided to the department-level Office of Wildland Fire. 

Wildfire management appropriations fluctuate annually but rose markedly after FY2000 (see Figure 1). A significant portion of the annual fluctuations and overall increase in funding is related to fire suppression costs, which vary considerably and may be high even during years of relatively mild wildfire activity. For more information, see CRS Report R46583, Federal Wildfire Management: Ten-Year Funding Trends and Issues (FY2011-FY2020). 

For FY2020, Congress appropriated a total of $6.105 billion in discretionary appropriations for wildfire purposes for FS and DOI (see Table 1) 

Enjoy!

2) Katie Hoover also penned this 18 February 2021 CRS  Repor: 'Forest Service - FY2021 Appropriations'

Download CRS_Report_Forest_Service_2021Appropriations_18Feb2021

The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of land in the National Forest System (NFS); conducting forestry research; and providing assistance to state, local, private, and international forest owners. FS is an agency within the Department of Agriculture, but it receives discretionary appropriations through the Interior,  Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

Budget Request
The Trump Administration requested $5.345 billion in FY2021 discretionary appropriations for FS, not including the wildfire adjustment. This would have been a decrease of $138.6 million (-3%) from the regular-enacted appropriations for FY2020 and a decrease of $209.4 million (-4%) from the FY2020 total enacted figure. The Trump Administration also requested an additional $2.040 billion through the wildfire adjustment, for a total request of $7.385 billion. The request reflected increases for some FS accounts and decreases for others, including no funding for one account (see Table 1).

Enjoy!

"Managing is getting paid for home runs someone else hits." - Casey Stengel (former manager - NY Yankees & NY Mets)

Two CRS Land Reports: 1) 'The Federal Land Management Agencies'; 2)'Federal Lands and Related Resources: Overview and Selected Issues for the 117th Congress'

1) Katie Hoover, Laura B. Comay, R. Eliot Crafton and Carol Hardy Vincent wrote the CRS InFocus report (updated 16 February 2021): 'The Federal Land Management Agencies'. 

Download Federal Land Management Agencies 16Feb2021

Click on graphics to display or enlarge them.

Overview
The Property Clause in the U.S.Constitution (ArticleIV, Section3, clause 2) provides Congress the authority to acquire, dispose of, and manage federal property. Currently, approximately 640 million acres of surface land are managed by the federal government, accounting for nearly 28% of the 2.3 billion acres of land in the 50 states and District of Columbia. Four federal land management agencies (FLMAs) administer 606 million acres (95%)of these federal lands:

  Forest Service (FS), in the Department of Agriculture, managesthe193million acreNationalForestSystem.

  Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in the Department of the Interior (DOI), manages 244 million acres of publiclands.

  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in DOI, manages 89 million acres as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

  National Park Service (NPS), in DOI, manages 80 million acres in the National Park System.

Most of these lands are in the West, where the percentage of federal ownership is significantly higher than elsewhere in the nation (see Figure1). The remaining federal acreage is managed by several other agencies, including the Department of Defense.The federal estate also includes areas on U.S. territorial lands and offshore and subsurface mineral resources (not discussed here). The four FLMAs were established at different times with different management missions and purposes, which are briefly summarized in this InFocus.

2) Katie Hoover, Anne A. Riddle, Laura B. Comay, Brandon S. Tracym R. Eliot Crafton, Harold F. Upton, Mark K. DeSantis, Carol Hardy Vincent, Tana Fitzpatrick wrote this CRS Report (updated 16 February 2021): 'Federal Lands and Related Resources: Overview and Selected Issues for the 117th Congress' .

Download_Federal_Lands_Issues_117th_Congress_16Feb2021

Summary
The Property Clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, §3, clause 2) grants Congress the authority to acquire, dispose of, and manage federal property. The 117th Congress faces multiple policy issues related to federal lands and natural resources. These issues include how much and which land the government should own and how federal lands and resources should be used and managed. These issues affect local communities, industries, ecosystems, and the nation.

There are approximately 640 million surface acres of federally owned land in the United States. Four agencies administer 606.5 million surface acres (~95%) of federal lands: the Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service, all in the Department of the Interior (DOI). The federal estate also extends to energy and mineral resources located below ground and offshore. BLM manages the 710 million acres of the onshore subsurface mineral estate. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, also in DOI, manages access to almost 2.5 billion offshore acres in federal waters on the U.S. outer continental shelf for energy leasing and other purposes. DOI, primarily through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, also is responsible for the administration and management of 55 million surface acres and 57 million acres of subsurface mineral estate held in trust by the United States for Indian tribes and individual tribal members.

This report introduces some of the broad themes and issues Congress has considered when addressing federal and tribal land policy and resource management. These include questions about the extent and location of the federal estate. For example, Congress typically considers measures to authorize and fund the acquisition of additional lands as well as measures to convey some land out of federal ownership or management. Other issues for Congress include whether certain lands or resources should have additional protections, for example, through designation as wilderness or national monuments, or protection of endangered species and their habitat.

Other policy questions involve how federal land should be used and managed. Congress has specified in statute the management mission and authorized uses across the different types of federal lands. For example, the dominant-use mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and associated habitats for the benefit of current and future Americans. The dual-use mission of the National Park System is to conserve unique resources and provide for their use and enjoyment by the public. BLM and FS lands, however, have a statutory mission to balance multiple uses: recreation, grazing, timber, habitat and watershed protection, and energy production, among others. Conflicts arise as users and land managers attempt to balance these uses. Congress often addresses bills to clarify, prioritize, and alter land uses, such as timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and recreation (motorized and nonmotorized). With respect to energy uses, in addition to questions about balancing energy production against other uses, some questions include how to balance traditional and alternative energy production on federal lands.

Additional issues of debate include whether or how to charge for access and use of federal resources and lands, how to use any funds collected, and whether or how to compensate local governments for the presence of untaxed federal lands within their borders. Congress also faces questions about wildfire management on both federal and nonfederal lands, including questions of risk management and funding suppression efforts. Another recent concern has been the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on federal and tribal land and resource management.

Enjoy!

"It is better to waste one's youth than do nothing with it at all." - George Courteline

Josh's Water Jobs and More! 16 February 2021 Updated: 17 February

From Josh:

Hopefully back up to normal levels next week… Again, thanks for your patience.

 

1) Josh's Jobs

Jobs by Regions:

Africa jobs

Asia-Pacific jobs

Europe jobs

Latin America and Caribbean jobs

North America jobs

Home-based/Remote jobs

 

Minimum years experience requested:

0-2 years
 
1) Project Coordinator (Watershed) – Marin Water (Corte Madera, CA, USA): 1 March

 

3-4 years
 
2) Project Communication Managers (2) – Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) (Stockholm): 24 February
 
3) Water Program Manager – Hill Country Alliance (Dripping Springs, TX, USA): Until filled
 
4) Genomics Surveillance Lab Manager – Eurofins (Louisville, KY, USA): Until filled

 

5-7 years
 
5) Conservation Scientist – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)(Costa Rica): 24 February
 
6) South Africa nationals: Project Officer (Science) – United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (South Africa): 23 February

 

8-9 years
 
7) Spanish speakers: Líder (Blended Finance, Infraestructura natural para la seguridad hídrica) – Forest Trends (Peru): 22 February

 

10+ years
 
8) French speakers: Project Officer (Thematic Initiatives) – World Water Council (WWC) (France): Until filled

 

Not specified:
 
9) Irrigation Sales Manager – IRRIOT (The Netherlands/Belgium/France/UK): Until filled
 
10) Australia nationals: River Operations Officer – Murray–Darling Basin Authority(Australia): 17 February
 
11) Australia nationals: Supervisor Water and Wastewater – Government of New South Wales (Australia): 17 February
 
12) Australia nationals: Water Resources Information Officer – GWMWater(Horsham, VIC, Australia): 9 March
 
13) Australia nationals: Hydrogeologist – Northern Territory Government(Palmerston, NT, Australia): 23 February
 
14) Project Manager – South East Rivers Trust (SERT) (U.K., Home-Based): 21 February
 
15) Senior Project Officer – South East Rivers Trust (SERT) (U.K., Home-Based): 21 February
 
16) Ground Water Modelling Hydrogeologist- Consultant/ Senior – Ricardo Energy & Environment (Home-Based): 24 February
 
17) Water Quality Consultant – Ricardo Energy & Environment (Home-Based): 24 February
 
18) Statewide Fisheries Data Analyst and Coordinator – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin, USA): 23 February

 

Not specified (academic):

• Postdocs

19) Postdoctoral and post-master’s applicants for the J. Philip Keillor Wisconsin Coastal Management-Sea Grant Fellow – Wisconsin Sea Grant (Madison, WI, USA): 26 March

• Researchers/other

20) Research Support Officer (UNEP GEMS / Water Capacity Development Centre) – University College Cork (Ireland): 23 February
 
21) Young researchers in the field of “Hydrology and Hydraulics” – CIMA Foundation(Italy): 28 February
 
22) Research Assistant (Casual) – Centre for Water Technology and Policy (Sydney, NSW, Australia): 31 March
 
23) Research Assistant (Causal) – Centre for Water Technology and Policy (Seoul): 31 March
 
24) Research Assistant (Casual) – Centre for Water Technology and Policy (Halifax, NS, Canada): 31 March
 
25) Research Position to Simulate Riverine Temperature and Nitrate Concentration – University of Maryland (College Park, MD, USA): 24 February

 

WASH:

0-2 years

26) Spanish speakers: Oficial de Agua, Saneamiento e Higiene (WASH) – RET International (Venezuela): 18 February
 
27) WASH and Shelter Program Coordinator – Takaful Alsham (Turkey): 22 February
 
28) Research Associate – charity: water (New York): Until filled
 
29) WASH Project Manager – Medair (Sudan): Until filled
 
30) Jordan nationals: WASH/Climate Change Officer (UNICEF) – United Nations Volunteers (UNV) (Jordan): 17 February
 
31) Rwanda nationals: Health and Hygiene Facilitator – World Vision (WV)(Rwanda): 17 February
 
32) Kenya nationals: Project Officer (Sanitation & Hygiene) – World Vision (WV)(Kenya): 21 February
 
33) Iraq nationals: WASH Officer (UNICEF) – United Nations Volunteers (UNV)(Iraq): 22 February

 

3-4 years
 
34) WASH Coordinator – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Nigeria): 23 February
 
35) WASH Officer "TamuJunto: Education In Emergencies" – Plan International(Mozambique): Until filled
 
36) Local recruitment: Oficial Nacional de Agua, Saneamiento e Higiene (WASH) – RET International (Venezuela): 19 February
 
37) RDC nationals: 2 Administrateurs WASH – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (RDC): 22 February

 

5-7 years

38) WASH and Infrastructures Technical Coordinator – ACTED (Yemen): 10 March
 
39) Spanish speakers: Mexico Operations Consultant (Contract) – water.org(Mexico): Until filled
 
40) Technical Specialist – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Governance Institutions and Policy (WASH-GIP) – Tetra Tech (Zambia): Until filled
 
41) Local recruitment: Project Management Specialist- (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) – U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) (Ghana): 23 February

10+ years

42) Project Director (WASH) – FHI 360 (Durham, NC, USA): Until filled
 
Not specified
 
43) Local recruitment: Communications & Media Manager – WaterAid (Ghana): 24 February
 
44) WASH Program Manager – Solidarités International (Nigeria): Until filled
 
45) French speakers: Responsable Programme EAH – Solidarités International(Niger): Until filled

 

Consultancies:

46) Irrigation and Water Resource Management Specialist – Asian Development Bank (ADB) (Home-Based): 19 February
 
47) Support for the establishment of a Monitoring and Reporting System for the Water Sector in Africa Project – African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW)(Home-Based): 19 February
 
48) Junior Consultant (WASH) – SNV Netherlands Development Organisation(Kenya): 19 February
 
49) NTD /WASH Framework development consultant – Crown Agents (Nairobi): 19 February
 
50) Climate Action Advocacy Officer – Regions4 (Home-Based): 21 February
 
51) AIP Chief Technical Advisor – Global Water Partnership - Southern Africa (GWP-SA) (South Africa): 22 February
 
52) Consultants for AIP SDG Water Investment Support Programme – Global Water Partnership - Southern Africa (GWP-SA) (Home-Based): 22 February
 
53) French speakers: Elaboration des politiques et stratégies nationales sur les zones humides – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Chad): 22 February
 
54) French speakers: Pour l'établissement et l’opérationnalisation des comités locaux de l’eau (CLE) au niveau des sous-bassins du Chari – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Chad): 22 February
 
55) Nepal nationals: Consultant: Young Researcher – International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Nepal): 19 February
 
56) Uganda nationals: National WASH Consultant (Engineer) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (Uganda): 22 February
 
57) Mali nationals: Consultant: Scaling Agricultural Water Management Approaches – International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Mali): 24 February

 

RFP:

58) French speakers: Soutenir l’établissement et l’opérationnalisation des Comités Locaux de l’Eau (CLE) – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)(Home-Based): 22 February
 
59) French speakers: Mettre en œuvre des actions de protection et de restauration des écosystèmes dégradés dans les sites Ramsar – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Home-Based): 22 February

 

Internships:

60) Intern (Accelerator) – Evidence Action (Washington, DC): Until filled

 

Scholarships:

61) PhD Studentship: Water Network Resilience – University of Nottingham (United Kingdom): 22 February
 
62) PhD “Development of hydrothermal carbonization technology for production of added-value materials from agricultural waste in rural African areas – IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands): 22 February
 
63) Orange Knowledge Scholarships for MSc Programmes – IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands): 24 February
 
64) PhD position - multiphase flow in porous media / reservoir modeling – Tel Aviv University (Israel): Until filled
 
Last week’s list, in case you missed it
 
Post a job
 
Support Josh’s Water Jobs
 
Recruitment services

 

For our full list of active water jobs, please visit www.joshswaterjobs.com/job

 

2) Additional Jobs from WaterWired

65) Position: @OregonDEQ (Portland, OR) - Environmental Cleanup Program Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 4). Closes: 21 February http://bit.ly/3phbUpS #JobWaWi

66) Position: @BerkeleyLawCLEE (Berkeley, CA) - Water Policy Fellow. Full consideration date: 24 January. Final date: 19 February http://bit.ly/2Y63pC5

67) Positions (4): @DRIScience (Las Vegas, NV) - Postdoctoral Fellowships - Hydrologic Sciences. App review begins immediately and OUF. https://bit.ly/3o6iCh2 #JobWaWi

68) Position: @USAID (Washington, DC & elsewhere) - Foreign Service Program Officer. Closes: 1 March 2021. https://bit.ly/2G8tNW4 

69) Position: @USAID (Washington, DC) - Foreign Service Contracting Officer. Closes: 1 March 2021. https://bit.ly/2YLHwIG

70) Position: @FAO (Rome, Italy) - Director, Land and Water Division. Closes: Ongoing https://bit.ly/3lY9hab #JobWaWi 

71) Position: @WWF (Berlin, DE) - @WWFWaterRisk Filter Officer. OUF. https://bit.ly/3eYGWOY #JobWaWi 

72) Position: Idaho Dept. of Water Resources (Boise) - Staff Engineer. OUF. https://bit.ly/2KkFcok #JobWaWi

73) Position: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Mission, OR) - Fisheries Habitat Biologist I. Closes: 28 February 2021. 
Download Fisheries Habitat Bio I UHP Correct Version 1.7.21

74) From @nativehydro: MS & PhD students! Interested in working with #Indigenous communities on food, energy and water challenges? Apply to #NSF #NRT Indige-FEWSS Graduate Traineeship @uarizona http://bit.ly/36o6iCE

75) Position: Greater Oregon City Watershed Council (Oregon City, OR) - Executive Director (0.75 FTE). OUF; App review: 28 February. http://bit.ly/39spX6e 

76) Position: @PAseagrant (State College, PA) - Education Lead. https://bit.ly/3cJEugb #JobWaWi

77) Positions (2): @PAseagrant (Delaware/Bucks counties & Dauphin/Centre counties) - Coastal Outreach Specialist(s) https://bit.ly/2LfBH2U #JobWaWi

78) Positions (2): SPF Water Engineering (Boise, ID) - 1) Civil Engineer; 2) Senior Water Rights Consultant. http://bit.ly/2YFQTsX #JobWaWi

79) Positions (2): @NOAA (Tuscaloosa, AL) - Hydrologist. Closes: 19 February. http://bit.ly/3tx4xwP #JobWaWi

80) Position: State of NM (Santa Fe) - Environmental Scientist & Specialist - Operational. OUF. http://indeedhi.re/3jqUWDl #JobWaWi

81) Position: @USACEGALVESTON (Galveston, TX) - Civil Engineer. OUF. http://indeedhi.re/36RNeNr #JobWaWi

82) Position: @GWPMed (Jordan) - Senior Programme Officer. Closes: 17 February https://lnkd.in/dkKw_Ph #JobWaWi

83) Position: UC-Berkeley (Truckee, CA area) - Station Manager, Sagehen Creek Field Station. Closes: 1 March. Download Sagehen Station Manager Position - Job Announcement (2-2021)

84) Position: @USDA (Monticello, UT) - Soil Conservationist (Resource Conservationist) http://indeedhi.re/2Z8AyNR #JobWaWi

85) Position: @OSUCEOAS (Corvallis, OR) - Instructor (Academic Teaching/Research Faculty - Geography). Full consideration: 15 March; Closes: 30 June. http://bit.ly/2Z9c1Iu

86) Position: @McKenzRivrTrust (Central OR Coast) - Central Coast Conservation Program Manager. Closes: 28 February http://bit.ly/3jGU25C  

87) Position: North Coast Land Conservancy (Seaside, OR) - Stewardship Assistant. Closes: 7 March. http://bit.ly/2Zns85k #JobWaWi

ADDED - 17 February 2021

88) Positions (2): Cascade Fisheries (Okanogan, WA) - Two field technicians. Closes: 8 March. Download OBA Job Announcement 2021

89) Position: @KCDNRP (Seattle area) - Policy and Planning Team - River & Floodplain Management. Closes: 24 February. http://bit.ly/3s4Icp2 #JobWaWi

90) Position: @ColumbiaEstuary (Portland, OR) - Stormwater Project Manager. Closes: 4 March http://bit.ly/3qxUmGm #JobWaWi

91) Position: Marion Soil & Water Conservation District (Salem, OR) - District Manager. OUF. https://bit.ly/3s11AmI #JobWaWi

92) Position: @PortlandWater (Portland, OR) - Bull Run Watershed Protection Manager (Environmental Regulatory Coordinator). Closes: 5 March https://bit.ly/3dr7ids #JobWaWi

93) Position: @OregonDEQ (Bend, OR) - Eastern Region Watershed Manager (Principal Executive/Manager E); Closes: 10 March. http://bit.ly/3pxbcno #JobWaWi

94) Position: @FEMA (Bothell, WA) - Civil Engineer. Closes: 1 March. http://bit.ly/2NiHaH6 #JobWaWi

95) Position: @newmexicotech (Socorro, NM) - Hydrogeologist. OUF. https://bit.ly/3ds1zUD #JobWaWi

3) Some General Employment Resources                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     AGU Career Center for research/academic jobs

GoodWorkCanada - Canada's Green Jobs Site

Congressional Research Service Positions

Check out @AidJobs - Vacancies in aid, development, humanitarian & nonprofit sector (volunteers, consultants or F-T employment) https://aidjobs.org

Conservation Jobs Board

UN Jobs in Water Resources

UN Jobs in Water Management

UN Jobs in Water and Sanitation

Global Water Jobs

WASH Vacancies

Academic Jobs Online

Higher Education Job Site

Get Hydrology Jobs

AAG Jobs

@BCWaterNews Jobs Click View Jobs

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days. Click here.

King County (WA)Jobs

Geoscience Job Board

California DWR Jobs

AZ Water Career Center

Florida Water Jobs

NYC DEP

Nature Conservancy jobs

State of Washington Careers

Idaho DEQ

OSU Water Resources Program

Water District Jobs

Academic Jobs in Schools of Physical/Earth Sciences

Mac's List - Jobs in Portland and Beyond!

New Zealand Hydrological Society Jobs Board

Government Jobs

Association of Oregon Counties Job Postings

Soil Science Societies Career Center

How to Find Work Overseas, with Marcelle Yeager. https://bit.ly/1pIopLT

For the full list of Josh's active water jobs, please visit www.joshswaterjobs.com/jobs

Enjoy!

"Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon." - Susan Ertz

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 15 February 2021

Elaine has posts a link to this review from NPR: Elizabeth Kolbert's 'Under A White Sky; the Nature of the Future' examines what it might take for humans to continue to exist - click here. 

Here is what Kolbert says of the current Earth:

"People have, by now, di­rectly transformed more than half the ice-free land on earth — some twenty-seven million square miles — and indirectly half of what remains. We have dammed or diverted most of the world's major rivers. Our fertilizer plants and legume crops fix more ni­trogen than all terrestrial ecosystems combined, and our planes, cars, and power stations emit about a hundred times more car­bon dioxide than volcanoes do. ...hu­mans and livestock outweigh all vertebrates combined, with the exception of fish. In the age of man, there is nowhere to go, and this includes the deepest trenches of the oceans and the middle of the Antarctic ice sheet, that does not already bear our Friday-like footprints."

Enjoy! Really?

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Here are Elaine's BBs as a PDF and a Word document:

PDF: Download Bulletin_Boards_15Feb2021

Word: Download Bulletin_Boards_15Feb2021

Note: If a link does not work, try pasting the URL into your browser. 

Check out Elaine's coronavirus/COVID-19 section in the ES BB.

Geoscience Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

M7.1 earthquake in Japan is aftershock of 2011 event offshore of Fukushima

• https://japan-forward.com/magnitude-7-3-hits-japan-causing-over-hundred-injured-landslides/
• https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/at-least-100-injured-after-fukushima-earthquake-with-no-major-incidents-at-nuclear-plant-1.1165552
• Videos: https://scroll.in/video/986862/watch-eyewitnesses-capture-scenes-from-the-7-3-magnitude-earthquake-in-north-east-japan

Sahara Desert once was wet and green

• https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/life-in-the-sahara-north-africa-s-green-past-1.1165348

Nearly one-fifth of submarine vocalizations are beyond the hearing range of humans – ultrasonic frequencies beam a narrower & more precise sound which travels shorter distances

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/antarctic-seals-vocalize-in-ultrasonic-but-not-for-the-usual-reason/

Fallstreaks imaged over Florida

• https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147886/falling-for-fallstreaks
• https://www.yahoo.com/news/cloud-falling-sky-nasa-images-211049103.html

Amount of water transported to the mantle by subduction was overestimated

• https://eos.org/research-spotlights/subduction-may-recycle-less-water-than-thought

Clustering of aftershocks means simple statistical models are more accurate than physics-based forecasting models

• https://eos.org/editor-highlights/the-failure-of-physics-based-earthquake-forecasting-models

Fracturing during micro-earthquakes may cause temporary pH change in groundwater

• https://eos.org/research-spotlights/earthquakes-can-acidify-groundwater
• Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020GL089885

Planetary geology:  mapping boulder fields and tracks on the Moon

• https://eos.org/editor-highlights/the-tumbling-boulders-of-orientale-basin

Using tracers to distinguish surface & subsurface recharge of aquifers along mountain fronts

• https://eos.org/research-spotlights/parsing-routes-to-aquifer-recharge-along-mountain-fronts

Short-term variation in Arctic sea ice

• https://eos.org/articles/arctic-report-card-founder-discusses-the-fate-of-the-pole

Importance of environmental variables in wildfire burn area climate models

• https://eos.org/research-spotlights/evaluating-environmental-predictors-of-western-u-s-wildfires
• Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020EF001645

Understanding scoria cone eruptions & impacts on landscape and atmosphere

• https://eos.org/articles/ancient-eruption-may-change-our-understanding-of-modern-volcanoes
• Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20354-2

Plankton in waters surrounding Antarctica play role in global biogeochemical cycle

• https://eos.org/research-spotlights/the-alkalinity-trap-at-the-bottom-of-the-world

Podcast on need to preserve archival sea level records

• https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966424041/saving-sea-level-records-what-historical-records-tell-us-about-the-rising-ocean

An explanation of the “polar vortex” – it is nothing new & should not be viewed as “scary”

• https://theconversation.com/what-exactly-is-the-polar-vortex-153958

8-year-old wants to know more about dinosaurs

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/8-year-old-npr-more-dinosaur-stories_n_602456b5c5b681d093429fd4

Seismic data generated by whale songs help map the oceanic crust

• https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/using-whale-songs-to-image-beneath-the-oceans-floor/

Understanding rates of glacial melting at the end of the last Ice Age

• https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Rapid_ice_retreat_during_last_deglaciation_parallels_current_melt_rates_999.html
• Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033420300198?via%3Dihub

NEMO-HD micro-satellite begins returning multispectral images

• https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Slovenia_releases_color_image_from_NEMO_HD_microsat_999.html

UN says La Niña climate cycle has peaked – lag effect on climate

• https://www.terradaily.com/reports/La_Nina_climate_cycle_has_peaked_UN_999.html

Revised timeline of Paleozoic climatic conditions

• https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Geologists_produce_new_timeline_of_Earths_Paleozoic_climate_changes_999.html

On the 50^th anniversary of the 1971 Sylmar (San Fernando) earthquake

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/50th-anniversary-san-fernando

Factors that impact effectiveness of eye-witness accounts of earthquake

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/who-s-sharing-inconsistent-eyewitness-accounts-can-affect-how-we-understand-earthquakes?qt-news_science_products=1#qt-news_science_products

First angiosperms (flowering plants) may have appeared in Jurassic or even earlier

• http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/jurassic-flowering-plants-09334.html

Genetic data suggests Coelacanths are not “living fossils” from 65 myo

• http://www.sci-news.com/biology/coelacanth-genes-09341.html
• Paper: https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/13/1/evaa264/6045956

Humpback whales are not learning songs from one another

• https://phys.org/news/2021-02-humpback-whales-songs.html

New generation of climate models predict changes in rainfall in the Alps

• https://phys.org/news/2021-02-climate-future-rainfall-alps.html

Significance of atmospheric rivers for New Zealand

• https://phys.org/news/2021-02-significance-atmospheric-rivers-zealand.html

In Memoriam:  John Scott Runge (1927-2021) – petroleum geologist

• https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/trib/name/john-runge-obituary?pid=197767044

Earthquake threat in Illinois is real

• https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/extra/news/geologist-earthquake-threat-in-illinois-is-real/article_d4b09b3e-ef92-50e9-9435-83cf7ac7a584.html

In Memoriam:  Robert Joseph Beltrame (1948-2020) – Geologist & geochemist

• https://www.hometownsource.com/stillwater_gazette/obituaries/robert-bob-joseph-beltrame/article_2f3fdbfd-6809-5da9-9af2-668ae6d5e039.html

In Memoriam:  Charles Henry Williams Jr (1934-2021) – Geologist & Mississippi Geological Survey

• https://www.northsidesun.com/most-recent-obituaries/charles-henry-williams-jr#sthash.O2f0Yf1f.dpbs

Potential for M>8.0 earthquake in the Himalayan arc

• https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/feb/14/threat-of-major-earthquakeover-80-magnitude-looms-over-himalayan-arc-2263710.html

Episode of tectonic quiescence from 1.8 to 0.8 byo

• https://www.livescience.com/earth-mountains-disappear-boring-billion.html

Human activity (fluid withdrawal) exacerbates subsidence along Texas Gulf Coast

• https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/08/a-sinking-situation-in-houston-texas-gulf-coast/

Stonehenge was probably built with second-hand rocks

• https://www.zmescience.com/science/geology/stonehenge-wall-migration-12022021/

Collapse of hanging glacier caused Uttarakhand flash flood

• https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uttarakhand-flash-floods-due-to-hanging-glacier-collapse-says-study-121021000001_1.html
• https://www.sciencenews.org/article/india-glacier-flood-disaster-himalayas-uttarakhand

Fossil mimics may be common in ancient rocks

• https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fake-fossil-biomorphs-more-common-ancient-rocks-real-fossils

Perspective paper:  Earth evolution, emergence & uniformitarianism

• https://www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/groundwork/G479GW/GSATG479GW.pdf

 

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Icy conditions cause massive & multiple vehicular accidents in Texas

• https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/traffic/traffic-updates-overnight-sleet-turns-north-texas-roads-into-sheets-of-ice/2548822/

Will dual-acting immune-antibiotics be the long hoped for panacea?

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201223125759.htm

Return to “catch & release” for illegal aliens once again puts Americans & our sovereignty at risk

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/biden-admin-relaunches-catch-and-release-as-illegal-border-crossings-return-to-crisis-levels/ar-BB1dqEVS

How to get humans to eat invasive Asian carp?  Change their name & rebrand – worked for the toothfish

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/invasive-asian-carp-getting-name-111506073.html

Re-wilding called success as hyenas are returned to Zinave National Park in Mozambique

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/conservationists-hail-wilding-success-hyenas-133807447.html

Living near artificial lights from street lamps & buildings linked to 55% increase in risk of thyroid cancer

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/living-near-neon-lights-increases-023414243.html

CRS In Focus:  USEPA GHG Reporting Program

• https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11754

California high-speed rail construction has new extended timeline and greater estimated cost of $13.8B

• https://apnews.com/article/california-coronavirus-pandemic-94bb6293d170e87559d36d3a13f2a637

New “Civilian Climate Corps Initiative” – a boondoggle in the making for all the wrong reasons

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/bidens-conservation-corps-stirs-hopes-102009674.html

Axis deer imported to Hawaii (as a gift) from India in 1868 have died from starvation during drought

• https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/01/molokais-fabled-axis-deer-are-starving-to-death-in-droves/

Biggest problem in San Diego, California, is stormwater infrastructure

• https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/san-diegos-infrastructure-deficit-is-really-a-stormwater-deficit/

Austin, Texas, approves $23M to prevent gentrification near new transit hubs – “anti-displacement” fund

• https://www.kut.org/transportation/2021-02-05/austin-approves-23-million-to-help-prevent-gentrification-near-new-transit-hubs

Proposed $2.4bn battery at Kurri Kurri will be 8 times the current largest in the world

• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/05/worlds-biggest-battery-with-1200mw-capacity-set-to-be-built-in-nsw-hunter-valley-australia

Technological hazard:  Hacker breached Oldsmar, Florida, water treatment plant control & tried to poison drinking water with lye

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/sheriff-hacker-tried-taint-florida-212751269.html

Technological Hazard:  Data breach in Washing State impacts 1.4M people

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/analysis-washington-state-s-response-to-data-breach-affecting-1-4m-people-is-stunningly-callous/ar-BB1dziEE

China has declining numbers of births and aging population but with 1.4B people in China it is being called a population crisis

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/dont-talk-having-baby-chinese-113242789.html

German “insect protection” law which restricts use of pesticides is angering farmers

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/german-govt-angers-farmers-insect-133308992.html

Risks of aging structurally unsafe dams in California

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/californias-aging-dams-face-perils-140022157.html

South Carolina contemplating a plan to allow huge incinerators to melt and burn garbage

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/south-carolina-once-took-nation-135622567.html

Humans need to mimic natural processes – biomimicry could deliver net benefits but still will not be as effective as natural processes

• https://www.dezeen.com/2021/02/08/biomimicry-cities-deliver-net-benefits-fight-against-climate-change/

Construction of $1B electric transmission line only partly halted by legal action on environmental issues

• https://apnews.com/article/environment-maine-847342d3a112b97ae9c5c210205cfa38

Upcoming on Feb 25th – NRCS Rangeland Analysis Platform webinar

• https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/technical/nra/ceap/?cid=nrcseprd1576043

Just one of the problems with “sharing” human genome research data

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00331-5
• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00314-6

Perspective:  Parsing the politics of singular & multiple water users

• http://www.water-alternatives.org/index.php/alldoc/articles/vol14/v14issue1/614-a14-1-9/file

Minnesota DNR gives approval to $2.75B Red River diversion project – will it really be a permanent fix?

• https://www.startribune.com/2-75-billion-red-river-diversion-project-approved/600021603/

Panama City, Florida, approves $305M infrastructure plan for drinking water, wastewater & stormwater

• https://www.newsherald.com/story/news/2021/02/10/panama-city-florida-approves-305-million-infrastructure-upgrade-plan/4456551001/

Alma, Arkansas, “flips” to solar array to power wastewater treatment facility – estimated cost $3M

• https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/feb/06/alma-celebrates-new-solar-array-for-wastewater/?latest

US Dept of Interior announces Tribal Consultations

• https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-announces-series-tribal-consultations-recognition-importance-nation-nation

Aedes scapularis mosquito is now established in Florida – vector of a number of diseases

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/a-new-mosquito-is-making-south-florida-its-home/ar-BB1dBLMD

CRS Report:  The Endangered Species Act – Overview & Implementation

• https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46677

New audit of wildfire risks at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico – almost burned in Cerro Grand Fire in 2000 when “controlled burn” was blown out of control

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/audit-raises-concerns-wildfire-risks-195632348.html
• Report: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/02/f82/DOE-OIG-21-13_0.pdf

2020 Global Carbon Budget – still hyping “global warming” due to CO2

• https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/2021/02/11/11249/

There is once again water in Lake Dojran in North Macedonia – robbing Peter to pay Paul: pumped groundwater

• https://news.yahoo.com/lake-dojran-future-brightens-north-174202230.html

Man who dredged section of River Lugg & stripped riparian vegetation is cleared by Forestry Commission

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/farmer-bulldozed-beauty-spot-protect-180522912.html

Potential impacts of Executive Order to stop O&G production & stop Keystone XL Pipeline – “heavy-handed, economy-killing efforts…will do little to rein in global CO2” – US at Paris Agreement levels

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/hurting-economy-without-helping-climate-113008106.html
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenrwald/2020/12/10/the-un-makes-the-case-for-the-us-to-stay-out-of-the-paris-climate-accord/

Measuring ozone-depleting chemicals in the Asian Monsoon

• https://eos.org/editor-highlights/measurements-of-ozone-depleting-chemicals-in-the-asian-monsoon
• Paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020JD033137

Emissions of banned ozone-depleting chemical are once again declining

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210133423.htm
• Paper - Global: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03260-5
• Paper – China: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03277-w

Can urban tree planting counteract urban heat island effect?

• https://eos.org/features/community-forests-prepare-for-climate-change

Book review:  “Under a White Sky” – how can humans continue to exist

• https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965306203/under-a-white-sky-examines-what-it-might-take-for-humans-to-continue-to-exist

What is in the fish you eat?  Micro-plastics

• https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-fish-species-including-many-that-humans-eat-are-consuming-plastic-154634

Dutch Court ordered Shell subsidiary to pay damages for oil spills in Nigeria

• https://www.treehugger.com/court-orders-shell-pay-nigerian-oil-spills-5105076

Will a rooftop solar unit on your roof lower electricity costs for your neighbors?

• https://www.treehugger.com/rooftop-solar-benefits-neighbors-5112473

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

• https://www.treehugger.com/rooftop-solar-benefits-neighbors-5112473https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/capitals-corridor-chesapeake-and-ohio-canal-national-historical-park

Airborne particulate matter is also contaminated with nicotine & nicotelline from tobacco smoke

• https://phys.org/news/2021-02-airborne-particulate-contaminated-tobacco-smoke-driven.html
• Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000416?via%3Dihub

Book review:  John Muir’s Grand Yosemite – Musings & Sketches

• https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/review-john-muirs-grand-yosemite-musings-and-sketches

Bangladesh bans painkiller from use on cattle in attempt to protect vultures from extinction

• https://www.terradaily.com/reports/Bangladesh_bans_cattle_painkiller_to_save_vultures_999.html

Migratory birds sense geomagnetic signature when blown off course

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210212111917.htm

Evolution of six toxic butterfly species

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210208161924.htm

CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus COVID-19 statistics by country (click on USA to get State statistics)

• https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
• https://time.com/5800901/coronavirus-map/
• interactive maps: https://geodacenter.github.io/covid/map.html

LGBTQ community at disproportionally higher risk – underlying health conditions

• https://thegavoice.com/news/national/lgbtq-people-at-greater-risk-of-severe-covid-19-symptoms-cdc-finds/
• MMWR Report: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7005a1.htm

Severe thrombocytopenia triggered by vaccination that caused lack of platelets – can be fatal

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/few-covid-vaccine-recipients-developed-133911410.html

Perspective:  Leave your antibodies alone

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/leave-your-antibodies-alone/ar-BB1dz51L

Perspective:  What if we never reach herd immunity?

• https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/herd-immunity-might-be-impossible-even-vaccines/617973/

The ever-evolving guidelines

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/cdc-fully-vaccinated-people-don-t-need-to-quarantine-after-covid-exposure/ar-BB1dAVmM

Duh -- WHO thinking that Wuhan outbreak began circulating before December 2019 US cases

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-circulating-europe-china-months-205102397.html

Visualizing global attitudes towards vaccines

• https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-global-attitudes-towards-covid-19-vaccines/

Immune system response over time after recovery

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121131909.htm

Virus causes “reduction” in US life expectancy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210114163958.htm

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 15 February 2021 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

MTC awarded $768,000 for enhancing port operations in western Mississippi

• https://www.ttnews.com/articles/mississippi-transportation-commission-issues-funding-portimprovements

$32M effort begins to restore 319 acres of Cameron Meadows marsh in Louisiana

• https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_e50e687e-67e4-11eb-8026 2fb5d5380bd0.html

Consumers could pay high price after Crown Estate sold £879m seabed rights for six offshore wind developments – that equates to £110,000 per megawatt per year

• https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/energy-bills-could-rise-crown-134747517.html

US is squandering energy-export opportunity – FERC denied export permit

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-squandering-energy-export-opportunity-113043679.html

Ports are rebounding from major infrastructure investments – money usually spurs economy

• https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/ports-rebounding-from-pandemic-plan-majorinfrastructure-investments

Ocean acidification is detrimental to local aquaculture in Massachusetts

• https://www.mvtimes.com/2021/02/09/ocean-acidification-endangers-local-aquaculture/

Perspective: US offshore wind prospects – overblown promises & blown-up costs

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-offshore-wind-prospects-overblown-113056989.html

• https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/02/a-lot-of-hot-air-about-offshore-wind/

Miami-Dade County considering $6B schemes in futile effort to protect coast from storm surges

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/future-miami-dade-coast-tall-174935738.html

Proposed $20M curtain wall to “protect” Las Palmas intended to redirect water to Florida Bay

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/las-palmas-constraint-everglades-restoration-110000849.html

Nature Conservancy provides new strategies for nature-based coastal resilience

• https://reliefweb.int/report/world/blue-guide-coastal-resilience-protecting-coastalcommunities-through-nature-based

• https://climatecentre.org/news/1374/building-coastal-resilience-the-natural-way-a-new-guide

Perspective: Brown bears could benefit from changing coastal marshes

• https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/sports/refuge-notebook-could-bears-benefit-fromchanging-coastal-marshes/

California Coastal Commission approve Belmont Pool replacement project

• https://lbpost.com/news/belmont-pool-project-wins-key-approval-from-coastal-commission

• https://www.presstelegram.com/2021/02/11/coastal-commission-approves-long-beachsbelmont-beach-and-aquatic-center/

California Coastal Commission to determine location fate of Ontario Ridge hiking trail

• https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/california-coastal-commission-to-vote-friday-onrequest-to-move-popular-ontario-ridge-hiking-trail

Collaborative efforts make progress on coastal studies

• https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=64420&SEO=cuban-and-foreign-expertsmake-progress-in-coastal-studies

Economics of moving business from California to the Texas Gulf Coast

• https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2021/02/12/houston-sees-big-gains-fromcalifornia-exodus.html

Rent decline rate slows in coastal cities

• https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/rent-declines-slow-in-coastalcities/

California Coastal Commission to consider proposal to stop off-roading at Oceano Dunes

• https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/coastal-commission-to-consider-eliminating-offroading-at-oceano-dunes/Content?oid=10596362

Property developer plan would redesign coastal waterfront at Biscayne Bay

• https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/02/11/redesign-coastal-waterfront-off-biscayne-bay/

Monitoring flooding along the coast of Maine

• https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/monitoring-coastal-flooding-inmaine/97-a9af1fa6-c6fe-498d-ab51-2cadcbfd80b5

Federal Court upholds state denial of Jordan Cove LNG terminal Coos Bay coastal zone permit

• https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2021/02/feds-uphold-state-denial-on-jordan-covelngs-coastal-zone-permit-another-roadblock-for-the-controversial-project.html

Changes in sea level (rising waters or subsiding land) could result in resurfacing of toxic contaminants

• https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/963673676/near-coasts-rising-seas-could-also-push-up-longburied-toxic-contamination

Environmental Site Assessment to begin at Caneel Bay Resort in Virgin Islands National Park

• https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/environmental-testing-beginning-caneel-bayvirgin-islands-national-park

"To discover the limits of something, you must occasionally exceed those limits.
When our most distinguished scientists say that something is impossible, they will most certainly be proven wrong.
When science progresses far enough, it becomes indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke’s universal laws

From RMSAWWA & RMWEA: How to Save the Colorado River and Other Tales

I just saw a copy of the November 2020 issue of the magazine Rocky Mountain Water, which is published by the Rocky Mountain Section of the AWWA and Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association. The issue has articles Impacts of Wildfires on Water Quality and Water Treatment (page 16) and How to Save the Colorado River (p. 25).

Download RMW__November_2020

Here is an electronic copy: click here.

I won't divulge the endings, but here is the last section of the Colorado River article.

Intuition vs. Facts

“The experiment is important to us,” Thompson said. “We want to make decisions based on the science and the data, not a gut feeling.”

Much of the work is grueling, like cutting hay samples week after week, and low tech, like measuring water levels in rain gauges.

But dramatic advances in satellite imagery and global evapotranspiration databases are helping people like Perry Cabot create science-based templates that eventually will be useful not just in Colorado, but Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and perhaps even farther downstream, on cotton fields in Arizona and avocado groves in California’s Central Valley.

“We now have the ability to measure the whole field, ” Cabot said. “It’s becoming more accurate and it’s tremendously convenient if you’re trying to get a good understanding of patterns. We don’t have to rely on one data point anymore.” [Editor’s note: Cabot sits on the board of Water Education Colorado, which is a sponsor of Fresh Water News.]

Enjoy!

"He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils." - Francis Bacon