Federal Water Tap, September 2: Everglades Restoration Plan

Increase the Flows
The Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft report on how it plans to implement a $US 1.7 billion project to revive the Florida Everglades. In essence, the corps will send more water south from Lake Okeechobee, treat it to remove phosphorous, and let it drain slowly to mimic natural filtration into the River of Grass. Comments on the plan will be accepted through October 13 and can be emailed to CEPPcomments@usace.army.mil.

Dam Safety
A 2008 review found that the worst-case flood scenario for the string of dams and nuclear plants operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority is worse than previously thought. The TVA now plans to raise the height of four dams by 1 to 2 meters (3.5 to 6.6 feet) to decrease the risk from flooding.

USDA Climate Change Report
What is agriculture’s role in the carbon cycle? How many greenhouse gases do farming and ranching produce and capture? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a 564-page draft report outlining new methods to calculate the balance.

Coal Hearing
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing at West Virginia University on September 4 to talk about the future of coal. Three panels, representing industry, labor, academia, think-tanks and state and federal government, will testify.

Chesapeake Bay Hearing
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on September 3 on efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Federal Water Tap is a weekly digest spotting trends in U.S. government water policy. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

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