Australia Creates World’s Largest Network of Marine Reserves

  On November 16, 2012, Australia’s Environment Minister, Tony Burke, announced requirements to protect over 2.3 million square kilometers of ocean environment.  The area of protected ocean now becomes the largest protected area of sea in the world.  Praising Australia, Burke stated, “Australia is a world ...

60 Percent of Biggest Cities in US are Smoke-Free

  On November 15, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 60 percent of the largest US cities are now covered by laws that prohibit smoking in indoor areas like restaurants, workplaces, bars, and similar areas.  The CDC noted huge advancements in anti-smoking laws since 2000.  Only one ...

56 Small Business Awarded Pollution-Prevention Grants in PA

  On November 8, 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded $418,049 of grants to 56 small businesses throughout the state to help them become energy efficient or prevent pollution.  The grant program, called the Small Business Advantage Grant program, is funded under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup ...

17 States Guarantee Hunting and Fishing as Constitutional Right

  In November of 2012, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported that 17 states now guarantee its citizens the constitutional right of hunting and fishing.  Voters approved the right to fish and hunt in 16 of the 17 states.  Vermont was the first state to introduce language into its constitution ...

Tennessee Now Owns Virgin Falls State Natural Area

  On November 15, 2012, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced that the state acquired the Virgin Falls State Natural Area located in White County.  The Virgin Falls area has been under private ownership until the recent acquisition by the state, but the state has managed the natural area ...

Significant Steps for Quanta Resources Superfund Site in NJ

  On November 19, 2012, the Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a significant step for the cleanup of the Quanta Resources Superfund site located in Edgewater, New Jersey.  The EPA has reached an agreement with Honeywell International Inc and 23 other parties to start design work before ...

Settlement Requires the Restoration of Chickley River

  On November 19, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) reached a settlement with the town of Hawley and the contractor E.T. & L. Corp. in Stow, Massachusetts.  The town and contractor were accused of removing boulders from the Chickley River, dumping the boulders on the riverbank, and ...

Route 66 State Park Safe for Works and Visitors

  On November 19, 2012, Region 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that soil sampling data on Route 66 State Park in Eureka, Missouri, proves the park is not hazardous to workers or the public.  The soil sampling tested for dioxin.  Starting in the 1980s, the federal government set a goal to reduce ...

Nutrient Standards Adopted for Major Estuaries in Florida

  On November 13, 2012, the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) approved new nutrient standards for the six major Panhandle estuaries.  The new standards now apply to 72 percent of all state estuaries, including 4,290 coastal miles.  The new standards apply to the following areas: Perdido Bay, Pensacola ...

New York Waters Adopt Mandatory Lobster V-Notch Rules

  As of November 13, 2012, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) now requires lobster permit holders in Lobster Conservation Management Area (LMA) 4 to perform V-notching of legal, egg-bearing female lobsters.  Also, permit holders fishing in more than one LMA must abide by the strictest V-notch ...

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