Driving this trend is mounting time pressure in many states for utilities to meet deadlines and quotas for renewable energy production, as well as the recession and federal tax incentives.
In an attempt to lessen damage from the grasshoppers, USDA has allocated $11 million, primarily to treat ~4 million acres with pesticides. Stories could cover causes of the population surge, possible effects on crops and other vegetation, effectiveness and adverse effects of the pesticides, and long-term preventive measures.
Counties, currently in 12 states with more likely to be added next year as a result of new lead monitors, must take steps within five years to meet the standard.
As drought blankets much of the western U.S. and Canada, so do grasshoppers, Mormon crickets, and other associated bugs. The cyclical insect infestations, which are occurring in pockets in every state west of the Mississippi and in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, range from light to very severe.
As the Gulf oil spill continues to spread and become a growing concern to more parts of the US, these key tools will help you tell and illustrate the story.
Wastewater treatment plants can't mitigate the problem, which is compounded by other sources of water contamination, such as drugs that end up in landfills or flushed down toilets, and metabolites or unutilized drugs that pass through people who take the drugs.
The National Trails system, already stretching more than 12,500 miles, expands with the addition of 31 more trails totalling 716 miles.
The changes affect only new drilling areas and may include greater consideration of environmental impacts, more public review, fewer "categorical exclusions" from environmental review, and more.
The nonprofit conservation group SeaWeb will host a news conference in Washington, DC on the state of the world's oceans and the most challenging ocean conservation issues, including the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and what to expect in the way of long-term consequences of this disaster.
Nearly 150 species of North American birds are in significant trouble, according to a report released May 11, 2010, by a consortium of US, Canadian, and Mexican government agencies, NGOs, universities, and individuals.
