MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27th
(MS) 6:30pm CST - The Gulf Coast Group of the Mississippi Sierra Club will be holding its monthly meeting tomorrow night. Location: Harmony Hall, 2514 19th Ave. (north off 25th St./Pass Road), Gulfport, MS. A potluck supper starts at 6:30pm, followed by discussion of environmental issues at 7:00pm. For more information, please call 228-872-0508.

APRIL 21, 2016
(MS) 4:00pm CT - Restore Mississippi Sound Bonfire Gathering - Location: Courthouse Road Fire Pits, Gulfport, MS - From Restore Mississippi Sound, “Restore Mississippi Sound, a group dedicated to improving water quality and ecosystem health along the Mississippi Coast, invites residents, families and friends to an afternoon show of support for safe and sustainable coastal waters, healthy and abundant fish and shellfish, and an increase in jobs and tourist revenues that depend upon them.” For more information, please contact Sharon Hayes at 228-669-6958 or Renee Walker at 228-860-5266.
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FROM THE NORTHSIDE SUN
WYATT EMMERICH, PUBLISHER

RURAL COOPERATIVES FIGHT SOLAR POWER TOOTH AND NAIL
Mississippi has some of the worst laws in the nation on solar energy. That's too bad because solar is becoming competitive and Mississippi has lots of sunshine. Last year, the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) stipulated new net metering rules for Entergy and Mississippi Power Company to promote solar power. In response, Mississippi's nonprofit rural co-ops, which supply electricity to 60 percent of Mississippi homes, are seeking legislative exclusion from the new pro-solar rules.

Washington, D.C.- American Rivers named the Pascagoula River in Mississippi and Alabama among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2016 today, shining a national spotlight on the threat that a misguided dam-building scheme poses to the river and its communities. (www.AmericanRivers.org/Pascagoula)
Two proposed dams on key Pascagoula River tributaries, Big Cedar Creek and Little Cedar Creek, would cause permanent damage to the river’s fish and wildlife, recreation opportunities and natural heritage. Instead of helping communities manage future floods and droughts as the boosters claim, the dams would do just the opposite, making people and property more vulnerable. The dams and reservoirs are being pushed by the Pat Harrison Waterway District and George County Board of Supervisors.

The Mississippi Chapter of the Sierra Club is exploring the possibility of starting a group in the Hattiesburg area.

(From a MDEQ press release jointly released by Governor Bryant and Attorney General Hood)
Mississippi Reaches Landmark Agreement in BP Oil Spill Disaster Case
(JACKSON, Miss.) -- Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood announced today that the federal court in New Orleans approved a settlement among the Gulf States, United States, and BP totaling approximately $18.7 billion related to claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As a result of the settlement, an additional $1.5 billion will come to Mississippi for natural resource damages and civil penalties under the Clean Water Act. These funds will be distributed to the state over the next 17 years and are in addition to $659 million of early funding already received. In all, Mississippi is receiving a total of nearly $2.174 billion in compensation.

Join us at Mayes Lake this Saturday, April 9th, from 2:30 to 5:00 PM for a kayakathon! We'll be putting into Mayes Lakes to do some exploring, and for the more adventurous kayakers you can access the Pearl River from the boat launch. All veteran kayakers or canoers are welcome. We have kayaks available for rental, please CLICK HERE for more info and to register for the event.

JACKSON, MS-- Join us as we celebrate NatureFEST! with our partners at the Museum of Natural Science. We'll be taking participants on guided trail hikes on the Museum to Market trail throughout the day. We'll have expert guides to tell you about the existing trail and update you on the plans for the Museum to Market Trail. For more info visit CLICK HERE.

(MS) 6:30pm CST - Gulf Coast Group of the Mississippi Sierra Club Meeting - Location: Harmony Hall, 2514 19th Ave.

JACKSON, MS-- As part of the year-long celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, the Sierra Club Foundation has funded the Mississippi Sierra Club Central Group's Museum to Market Trail Outdoor Adventures program. Watch this space for more announcements.