Vol. 19 Issue 1 Jan 2022
News from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Restoration MIP and MSEP Available for Review and Comments
At the 2021 MDEQ Restoration Summit, Governor Tate Reeves announced new restoration projects for the State of Mississippi designed to help restore and protect the environment and economy of the state following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
 
The projects announced at the Restoration Summit are included in two plans released in January for public review and comment:
 

 
MIP Amendment #5 and the 2021 MSEP Amendment are available for public review and input through March 14, 2022. To view the MIP Amendment #5 and provide input, please click here. To view the 2021 MSEP Amendment and provide input, please click here.
 
You may also request a copy and submit written comments on the MIP Amendment #5 and 2021 MSEP Amendment electronically by email to mgreen@mdeq.ms.gov, fax to 601.961.5366, or mail to MDEQ, Attn: Melanie Green, 515 East Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. All comments must be received by 5 pm CST on Monday, March 14, 2022.
 
To obtain the MIP Amendment #5 and the 2021 MSEP Amendment in Spanish or Vietnamese, please contact Ms. Green.
MS TIG Accepting Comments on Draft Restoration Plan

The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) recently released its third draft restoration plan for public review and will accept comments until January 26. The plan includes approximately $19 million for proposed projects to partially address injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The trustees hosted a public webinar on January 11, and the presentation can be found here. Information about submitting public comments is located here.
Public Notice for 303d List of Impaired Water Bodies

The Mississippi 2022 Section 303(d) List of Impaired Water Bodies is now available for public review and comment. The document was prepared by MDEQ in compliance with federal regulations and the Federal Clean Water Act. Water bodies on this list that are impaired are required to have Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) determined for each pollutant added to the water that causes impairment. A TMDL reports the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be put into a stream without violating water quality standards.

The deadline for submittals of comments is February 10. In addition, a public hearing will be held telephonically on February 10 at 11:00 a.m. Information about the hearing and how to submit comments can be found here.
Revisions to Hazardous Waste Regulations

MDEQ is proposing revisions to the Mississippi Hazardous Waste Management Regulations including the adoption by reference of ten different rulemakings previously promulgated by EPA. 

MDEQ published a public notice on December 30, 2021, soliciting public comments and input on the proposed revisions. The public comment period runs through Thursday, February 10, and an online public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. on February 10. 

More information regarding the proposed regulatory revisions, the public hearing, and how to provide comments to MDEQ can be found here.
MDEQ Produces Natchez Trace Geologic Maps
 
MDEQ's Office of Geology recently released five geologic maps produced for the National Park Service related to areas along the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The 7.5 min. geologic quadrangles for areas of Ridgeland, Pocahontas, Clinton, Raymond, and Widows Creek in Claiborne County were released in December 2021. This work was done as part of an ongoing, three state cooperative project coordinated and funded by NPS to explore and map for the first time the comprehensive geology of the Natchez Trace Parkway corridor. Read more here, and maps are available to the public via a free download on this webpage.
Photo of the Month

MDEQ staff checking salinity with a refractometer along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. MDEQ's Field Services Division is the technical and scientific support arm for the agency, and many staff spend a significant amount of their time in the field for various projects and initiatives.