Growth Management & The Environment

Arkansas/Oklahoma to Clean Up Illinois River

The city of Fayetteville and the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission have made a commitment to help clean up the Illinois River watershed. The two entities want to reduce phosphorous levels in the river at the states' line. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing regions in the South and Oklahoma officials fear that growth is harming water quality. Officials in the two states are looking into a new process that turns chicken litter, a byproduct of the states' poultry industry, into thermal energy. Officials say that would do more to clean up the Illinois River than anything else.

Historic Water Deal Done

Two of the Austin, Texas' largest water suppliers have agreed to work together to ensure that water constraints will not impede economic development in the Interstate 35 corridor. As reported in this edition's "Around the South," Advanced Micro Devices is searching for a site for a proposed multibillion-dollar fab plant. The Lower Colorado River Authority and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority want to work together to make sure the site AMD eventually chooses, is in their territories. Officials with both water suppliers have reached an agreement to jointly serve areas along the I-35 corridor such as Buda, Kyle and Creedmoor, whether AMD chooses to locate there or not. They plan to construct a pipeline that would span 30 miles beginning in San Marcos and running parallel to I-35. The GBRA and LCRA have agreed that once water demands reach a critical point, water from LCRA's basin would be brought southward.

Moratoriums Surface in Florida Bill

A proposed bill before this year's Florida Legislature seeks to tie water conservation with real estate development. House Bill 569, co-sponsored by state Reps. Johnnie Byrd and David Russell, would require local governments to set plans for long term availability of water supplies for approved land development. The bill is similar to one sponsored by Byrd last year that would have tied real estate development decisions to water supply, including placing a moratorium on development during drought conditions. That bill did not reach the House floor by the time last year's session ended. For more information on House Bill 569, go to www.leg.state.fl.us.

Maryland Becomes First State to Lose Power to Enforce Clean Air Laws

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken over the state of Maryland's power to enforce federal clean air laws. According to the EPA, Maryland failed to comply with an order to allow greater public participation in industrial permitting processes. Maryland did not meet a December 1, 2001, deadline for advancing environmental policies aimed at reducing air and water pollution. The state could lose up to $7 million in federal funds it receives to direct the program. In addition, the EPA's office in Philadelphia will now handle industry requests for new industrial permits.

South Carolina Governor Awards Tobacco Settlement
South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges recently announced 65 recipients for the state's $80 million Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Fund. The fund was created from the state's tax-exempt tobacco settlement bonds and is earmarked for the creation of infrastructure in areas deemed underdeveloped by the Department of Commerce. The criteria for project eligibility were mandated by the state's legislature. It required projects to be capital projects designed to improve water and wastewater infrastructure or technology-related infrastructure, and located in an underdeveloped area. Nearly all the counties in state will benefit from the award of $80 million from the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Fund that was created last year as a result of the $934 million tobacco settlement asset-backed bonds. Local communities, towns and other governmental entities applied through the state's ten regional Council of Governments.

Four Southern Markets Make Up Top Five in Parkland Study

Judging urban park systems on an acres-per-capita basis, El Paso is No. 1 in the U.S. with 47 acres of park and open space for every 1,000 residents, says the nonprofit Trust for Public Lands. Following El Paso are Oklahoma City, with 44.8 acres, Albuquerque with 39.5 acres, Austin, with 38.9 acres and Jacksonville, Fla., with 32.5 acres of public parkland per 1,000 residents.

N.C. Organization Launches Environmental Web Site

The North Carolina Conservation Network (NC ConNet) has successfully launched a new Web site to give citizens access to information about state environmental issues. NC ConNet is a network of more than 150 community and environmental justice organizations with the mission of bolstering the environmental community in the state. The Web site, www.ncconnet.org, features timely information on air and water quality and other conservation issues.

Greater Houston Partnership Honored for Clean Air Efforts

The Greater Houston Partnership and the Business Coalition for Clean Air, were honored recently with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environment Excellence Award for their efforts to improve air quality in the Houston area. The Partnership and BCCA received the award for their efforts to help pass the Texas Emissions Reduction Act.