Latest news with #DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 New Jersey Vacation Spots Are Issued High Alert for Bacteria Levels
Elevated bacteria levels were found at several New Jersey beaches, including Point Pleasant and multiple Wildwood Crest sites Water samples showed enterococci counts above the state's safe threshold, which may lead to infections from exposure While beaches remain open, advisories are in effect, and daily testing will continue until levels return to normalNew Jerseyans will need to double-check their beach days, as a few select locations have received bacteria level advisories. Water samples collected in Point Pleasant, N.J., on Monday, June 9, showed a high concentration of enterococci, a bacterium normally found in the digestive tracts and intestines of humans and animals, as reported by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, per local news outlet App. Bacteria counts were at 260 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, which is twice as high as New Jersey's safe swimming threshold: 104 colony-forming units. Towards Cape May County, bacteria counts we also found to be higher than usual, reaching 120 colony-forming units. When the bacteria are in large quantities in water, it signals that other potentially harmful bacteria are in the water supply, including viruses. Coming in contact with this bacterium in large quantities can result in ear, nose, and throat infections. Advisories have been issued for several beaches in Wildwood Crest: Lavender Road, Orchid Road, Miami Avenue, Hollywood Beach, and Jefferson Avenue Beach, as well as the 104th Street Bay in Stone Harbor. According to the New Jersey Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program, advisories do not typically result in beach closures. However, when a sample surpasses the New Jersey State Sanitary Code's allowance, 'a swimming advisory is issued and additional sampling is conducted and continues each day until the sample result is below 104 enterococci/100 milliliters," per the Department of Environmental Protection. Aside from bacteria monitoring, health officials or enforcement agencies may close the beaches at their discretion to protect public health and safety. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local projects recognized with Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two Lancaster County projects have been awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project in East Hempfield Township and the Wetland at Long's Park received honors from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,' said Jessica Shirley, the acting secretary of the department. 'Together, we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards. These projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.' The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project converted over six acres of unused land into wetlands and meadows, providing trails and natural water filtration. The project led to the reduction of 98,015 pounds of sediment and 2,369 pounds of nitrogen, according to the award. The Wetland at Long's Park is a natural water treatment system designed to meet the city's Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan. The goal of the project is to capture and treat over 16 million gallons of stormwater runoff and recirculated pond water each year, according to the award. The project exceeded that goal by almost double, the award noted. Better views come to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Each year, the Department of Environmental Protection invites businesses, farms, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to apply for the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The award highlights projects that 'promote innovative technological advances, partnerships, public service and environmental outreach as well as encourage pollution prevention, demonstrate economic impact or employ innovative technology.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Express
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tawau gold mine fiasco probe: Fears over cyanide contamination of river
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Nizam praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. TAWAU: Numerous government agencies have mobilised to investigate potential toxic cyanide contamination after a gold mine's water retention dam burst on May 17, with concerns the spillage may have reached Sungai Kalumpang. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. Advertisement The Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia has imposed an immediate operational ban on the affected retention pond area, effective May 27. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is conducting comprehensive sampling and analysis around the incident site extending to Sungai Kalumpang to assess contamination risks. 'We fully support all measures taken to ensure mining activities in the State comply with environmental regulations,' Nizam said, adding that any operations potentially damaging the environment must face strict enforcement. The coordinated response involves several key agencies to address the crisis. The Department of Environmental Protection is conducting environmental risk assessments and contamination monitoring throughout the affected area. The State Health Department has implemented health monitoring protocols for residents living near the incident site as a precautionary measure. Tawau Municipal Council is leading the disaster response coordination efforts, while the Fire and Rescue Department provides emergency response support. The State Forestry Department is also involved in assessing the broader environmental impact of the incident. A District Disaster Action Meeting, chaired by the MPT President, has been convened to address the incident and coordinate necessary response measures. The mining company involved obtained a High Court injunction on May 29 to prevent interference with critical repair work at their facility. The company's subsidiary has been granted full access to conduct necessary repairs to the damaged retention pond. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental compliance and operational integrity, saying it will utilise all legal channels to protect its mining operations while addressing the incident. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of any environmental impact and ensure public safety in the affected area. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Axios
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Lucifer, a famed Florida hippo beloved by generations, dies at 65
Lucifer, a fixture of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the oldest known hippopotamus in the Americas, died on Sunday at the age of 65. Why it matters: "Lu wasn't just a hippo. He was Citrus County's hippo," the county's newspaper wrote in an obit. And for six decades, he served as "a living link between generations of park visitors." Catch up quick: He was born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960, and came to Homosassa Springs in 1964. Lu starred in a number of films and TV shows in the 1960s, including "Daktari" and "Cowboy in Africa." When the state assumed control of the park in 1989 and shifted its focus to native Florida species, Lu's future became uncertain. But after local uproar and a letter-writing campaign, then-Gov. Lawton Chiles made Lu an honorary citizen of Florida, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. What they're saying: "Children grew up visiting him, and many returned as adults with children of their own to say hello to the gentle giant," the department said in a statement.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
It wasn't your imagination: May was the fifth wettest on record in NJ
After a long period of drought, New Jersey saw the fifth wettest May on record, according to a spring 2025 recap from the state climatologist's office. With all the rain that May provided, New Jersey reservoirs that supply drinking water to residents have been almost completely restored, said David Robinson, a Rutgers professor and the state climatologist. New Jersey is nearly out of its drought period and has sufficient reservoir levels for the hotter summer months ahead — and more rain is expected in the next few days. 'The Department of Environmental Protection is still cautious about this, and they have still retained the state in a drought warning primarily because the groundwater is being slow to respond, particularly in South Jersey,' Robinson 2024 was the driest in the state dating back to 1895, when records were first kept. New Jersey had not only the driest October on record, but it was the driest of any month in the state since 1895, Robinson said. The lack of precipitation in the fall and winter months were the result of patterns of precipitation in New England and around the Great Lakes that were just missing New Jersey as they passed by, Robinson said. Coastal storms such as Nor'easters are also sources of moisture for the area, but they didn't come until April and May when the pattern shifted. La Niña, a storm pattern in the Pacific Ocean, is possibly a reason other coastal storms were irregular due to sea surface temperatures, atmospheric pressure and wind patterns changing, Robinson said. 'A lot of what we are talking about here and what happened in May, that's just weather patterns that are associated with the day-to-day fluctuations in circulation,' Robinson said. 'That's what makes it so difficult to unravel all of this and explain all of this.' North Jersey reservoir levels dropped to nearly 20% below average between the months of January and March, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In April and May, those reservoirs' water levels shot up to about 10% above average. For instance, the three reservoirs operated by Veolia along the Hackensack River in Bergen County — the Oradell Reservoir, Lake Tappan and Woodcliff Lake — had dropped to just above 50% of capacity by February, and well below the historical average for that time of year. By the end of May, they had rebounded to 100% capacity. The reservoirs rely on winter to supply them with water in time for the summer, Robinson said. The just-below normal precipitation in spring slightly reduced the statewide drought, but the large amounts of rain in May were able to replenish the reservoirs. 'We should always be careful with our use of water, because New Jersey's freshwater supplies are quite finite, and they can change pretty quickly,' Robinson said. 'With just a couple of hot, dry months, we could be back into a worrisome position again. The indicators are that we won't, but better to be careful.' The area will get more rain in the next few days with stronger showers the evening of June 6 and lighter showers the evening of June 7, according to the National Weather Service. July and August are also generally the wettest months of the year, so a drought in New Jersey this summer is not likely, Robinson said. 'Patterns become more local or regional during the summer, so it's hard to get a grasp on just what's going to unfold,' he said. 'However, there is some indication that this summer will lean toward the normal to somewhat above normal precipitation pattern.' This article originally appeared on May 2025 was 5th wettest on record in NJ, as reservoirs rebound
