LSU Study Links Wild Hogs' DNA to Waterborne Pathogens in Central LA

Feral hogs have long been known as an invasive, disease-carrying scourge on the Louisiana landscape, wreaking havoc on agriculture, hunting leases and even other wildlife caught in their wake.

In the last 10 years they've spread rapidly, and recent evidence suggests they are now present in all 64 of the state's parishes.

But a study conducted last summer by the LSU Ag Center's School of Renewable Natural Resources shows an alarming correlation between feral hogs and the presence of a multitude of pathogens including E. coli, leptospirosis and salmonellosis in water bodies in Central Louisiana. 

The three-month project sampled  40 bodies of water between Alexandria and Natchitoches adjacent to the Kisatchie National Forest, and the news wasn't good for humans - or other wildlife. 

"Based on one or more criteria, every site evaluated was potentially unsafe for human-water and wildlife-water contact," the report states. 

At 22 of the sites, DNA fingerprinting positively matched E. coli with fecal samples from feral hogs. Pathogens that cause leptospirosis were found at 34 sites, Klebsiella pneumonia was found at all 40 sites and salmonellosis was located at nine sites, the report states. 

According to the report, the pathogens can cause severe intestinal diseases, kidney damage, liver failure or mortality (if untreated) in humans. For other wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, squirrels, raccoons and waterfowl, they can cause kidney damage, renal failure, spontaneous abortions, respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal illnesses and death.

Scott Durham, director of species management for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the research was an eye-opener.

"I think it was probably a little bit surprising how many of those pathogens were there, and the levels the researchers found them at," Durham said. "I don't think it surprised us that hogs were carriers and sources of these diseases, but this study gives some real good evidence using DNA sampling techniques that drilled home the way the diseases seem to be getting from one place to another."

Aside from the potential human health risks associated with the pathogens in the water, Durham said the research results have broad implications for other wildlife - and the biologists who study them. 

DNA fingerprinting in the study revealed that feral hog family groups were moving - or being moved - great distances in the region, up to 30 miles at a time.

"The take home message is to get rid of the pigs somehow, some way, over time, and not move them around. It's illegal to transport and release them," Durham said. "We have to contain them and eliminate them. They look to be the main way these pathogens are being brought around."

Durham said the state's Department of Health and Hospitals had reviewed the report results as they related to human safety, and may be commenting on it regarding recreational activities like swimming, boating, hunting and kayaking in the area.

"Some of the levels were definitely unsafe for humans," he said.

To view the entire LSU report, click here.  

EPA Pesticide Program Updates

EPA Pesticide Program Updates
=============
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
 May 28, 2014
In This Update:

*1). EPA Solicits Comments on Information Collection Activities Relating to Pesticide Drift Reduction Technologies*

*2). EPA Solicits Proposals to Implement the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program for Fiscal Years 2015 Through* *2019*

EPA Solicits Comments on Information Collection  Activities Relating to Pesticide Drift Reduction Technologies 

The EPA is continuing its efforts to collect information about application technologies that can reduce pesticide spray drift. Through a Federal Register Notice, we are requesting public input on the information collection activities for our Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) Program and announcing that the required Information Collection Request (ICR) has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. 

The EPA is seeking voluntary submission of information to verify the effectiveness of application technologies for agricultural pesticide sprays, including spray nozzles, shrouds or shields, and drift reducing adjuvant chemicals for aerial or groundboom applications to row and field crops. Such information would encourage the identification and use of drift-reduction technologies that can substantially reduce drift of pesticide spray droplets from the target application site (e.g., a corn field) downwind to non-target areas. 

Use of some existing agricultural pesticide spray application equipment and related technologies can result in 1-10 percent of the applied spray drifting to down-wind areas (spray drift). Pesticide drift is a concern for the agricultural industry, regulatory authorities and the public.  It is in everyone’s interest to reduce pesticide drift: the applicator who wants to reduce waste of the pesticide product, the grower who wants the pesticide on the intended target and bystanders who want to avoid exposure to pesticides.  

The ICR is required for the EPA to be able to collect information about application technologies. Once the ICR is approved, the voluntary DRT program will provide incentives to the agricultural sector (industry and pesticide applicators) to manufacture, market and use spray application technologies/equipment, that has been verified to significantly reduce pesticide spray drift.   

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, before submitting a request for a new Information Collection Request to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval, the EPA is soliciting comments from potentially affected entities on specific aspects of the proposed information collection. Entities potentially affected by the voluntary collection activities under this ICR include pesticide application equipment manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, pesticide registrants, university researchers and others who have an interest in reducing spray drift. 

The ICR and supporting documents, including a protocol for testing technologies and a draft Web page, are available for public review and comment in docket  EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0631 [ http://www.regulations.gov/!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0631 ] at www.regulations.gov [ http://www.regulations.gov/ ]. Comments are due by June 27, 2014 on the supporting materials. 

For more information on pesticide drift, visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/spraydrift.htm 

 

EPA Solicits Proposals to Implement the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program for Fiscal Years 2015 through 2019

The EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, in coordination with the Office of Compliance, posted at Grants.gov [ http://www.grants.gov/ ] a request soliciting proposals from eligible states, tribes, and state and tribal institutions to implement the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP) for fiscal years 2015 through 2019. 

To implement the program, the EPA expects to provide up to $535,000 annually, depending on the agency’s budget, for a total of five years.  

The EPA must receive proposals through Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 7, 2014. For more information on this Request for Proposals, visit:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=256011
EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest in the agency's pesticide program activities and decisions. This update service is part of EPA’s continuing effort to improve public access to federal pesticide information. 

For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by E-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu, or, by visiting their website at: *http://npic.orst.edu* [ http://npic.orst.edu/ ]* *

To report an environmental violation, visit EPA’s website at *http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html* [ http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html ]* *

For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

Telephone 703-305-5017 or write us directly at Communication Services Branch, Office of Pesticide Programs (7506 P), US Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004-2403.

Discover DEQ

Here is the May 2014 Discover DEQ  eNewsletter, we hope you enjoy it.  Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions for stories.  Thanks.

http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/portals/0/news/pdf/enewsmay2014.pdf

Louisiana 2012 Coastal Master Plan

Louisiana 2012 Coastal Master Plan (Draft)

Final Ecosystem Restoration Strategy report released

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force has released the Final Ecosystem Restoration Strategy. Go here: http://www.epa.gov/gcertf/ to view/download a copy of the final document.

WEEKLY eNEWS: Upcoming Events, Grants, Volunteer Opportunities, Resources

LEEC's Weekly eNews: A Compilation of Environmental Education News from Across Louisiana
UPCOMING EVENTS:
CC Lockwood will be LIVE in LPB's Studios on August 17th
CC Lockwood has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the Atchafalaya Basin. On Wednesday, August 17th, Louisiana Public Broadcasting will have Lockwood in the studios to comment on two programs about the Atchafalaya Basin that he was involved with.
          At 7PM, LPB will air Atchafalaya: America's Largest River Basin Swamp, a remastered 16-mm movie that Lockwood produced in the 70s. This movie caught the attention of National Geographic and helped to turn the tide of future development of the basin.
          At 8PM, LPB presents Atchafalaya Swamp Revisited, a co-production of The Bill Rodman Production Shoppe and LPB. The program details Lockwood's return to America's largest swamp wilderness, thirty years after his acclaimed Atchafalaya book and National Geographic article. Surprisingly, Lockwood found that the swamp's most interesting and threatened species had vanished.
Tune in to hear Lockwood's account of his longtime love affair with this important Louisiana landmark. The programs will air live on LPB's state network of stations and will stream live on the internet at lpb.org/live.http://lpb.org/live
NSTA Express: Challenge Your Students to Become Energy Efficient (Deadline: October 7)
NSTA and the U.S. Department of Energy today opened registration for America's Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC)—a nationwide student contest to help families save money by saving energy at home. AHEEC will engage students in elementary and middle schools to make smarter energy choices that reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels and put money back in their parents' pockets. Official registration for the Challenge begins today and ends October 7, 2011. Students, teachers, and principals are encouraged to register to participate at HomeEnergyChallenge.org. Participation in America's Home Energy Education Challenge will be broken into two parts, the Home Energy Challenge and the Energy Fitness Award. Each is designed to encourage students to learn about science and home energy savings. Visit the website for more details and updates or view the press release to learn more.
Keep the Sea Free of Debris ART CONTEST (Deadline: October 21)
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to host the annual Keep the Sea Free of Debris! Art Contest. We would like to know how marine debris impacts you and what you are doing about it. The winning artwork will be showcased in a NOAA Marine Debris Program 2013 calendar that will help in raising awareness about the global problem of marine debris. Additionally, the winners will be featured on the Program's website and in their weekly newsletter, which reaches over 200,000 people each month! The next art contest open on September 16, 2011 and close October 21. This is to allow more time for judging and planning for a more robust 2013 calendar. Please visit http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/outreach/artcontest.html for details, entry form, and more information (will be posted on Sept. 16)!
Restoring & Protecting the Gulf Coast: Electronic FieldTrip-Register Today
Through funding provided by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Louisiana Public Broadcasting is streaming a live electronic field trip for middle and high school students, especially those in Gulf Coast states, as well as the public. The field trip will stream on September 7th at 10 a.m. Central (11 am Eastern). The field trip, "Think Again: Restoring and Protecting the Gulf Coast" (lasts about 20 minutes) will explore the economic value and damage to the region, strategies to restore and protect this critical area, and ways that students can help. Following the video students will be able to pose their questions live to a panel of experts in LPB's studio. The Q&A period will last about 25 minutes. Pre-registration, which is required, and further information is available at lpb.org/thinkagain. A mini video will be online soon to help prepare students for the trip and to stimulate questions. Questions must be submitted in advance directly from the same site or to edtv@lpb.org. (Participants are urged to log in by 10 a.m. The field trip will begin promptly at 10:05.)

GRANTS
FY 2012 Conservation & Restoration Partnership Fund Request for Proposals (Deadline: September 16)
          This year the Conservation and Restoration Partnership Fund has dedicated $1 million to provide matching funds for projects aimed at coastal conservation and restoration. The State will use this funding to take advantage of grants, donations, and other private/public partnership opportunities to support the implementation of high priority coastal restoration projects. This will allow the State to further leverage its funds to achieve its coastal restoration goals.
          Proposals for coastal conservation and restoration projects that would benefit from additional funding are requested. Proposals should include a brief description of the project purpose, features, conceptual design, project area map and description of how it contributes to the criteria listed below. Proposals should be no more than two pages in length (i.e., one page description and one page map). Please submit proposals and/or direct questions about the program or project proposals by September 16, 2011 via mail, email, or fax to: Stuart Brown, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, 450 Laurel St., 12th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70801; phone: (225) 342-4596; fax: (225) 342-9417; stuart.brown@la.gov
Gulf of Mexico Regional Partnerships Request for Proposals (RFP) 2011 (Deadline: September 30)
          On, August 16, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency), announced the release of the "Gulf of Mexico Regional Partnerships RFP 2011". The RFP is posted on the Gulf of Mexico Program's website at: http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/, and at: http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/pdf/gm-regional-partnerships-rfp-2011.pdf. The RFP is also posted at Grants.gov at: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=vg0hTLxdmRG7rJCJ11Gd8ScC3jhbtRc3RLhK1mmG7GwN2MKshxCx!-2068522047?oppId=115073&mode=VIEW
          Applicants can download individual grant application forms from EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment website at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm. Proposals must be received by the Agency Contact by hard copy through the mail or commercial delivery service or through electronic submission to: http://www.grants.gov. The Agency Contact is Gerry Martin, martin.gerry@epa.gov, 228-688-1281. The address for hard copy submission is: EPA/Gulf of Mexico Program Office, ATTN: Gerry Martin, Mail Code: EPA/GMPO, Building 1100, Room 232, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 P.M. Central Standard Time (CST), Friday, September 30, 2011.
          This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals for projects that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico by addressing improved water quality and public health, priority coastal habitat conservation and restoration, more effective coastal environmental education, improved ecosystems integration and assessment, strategic nutrient reductions and coastal community resilience. Projects must actively involve stakeholders and focus on one of the six priority issue areas contained in the announcement; and/or the goals and objectives of the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program (acres restored, impaired stream/river segments removed and water quality improved.)
          The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,000,000. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 10 - 50 cooperative agreement(s) from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of proposals received and other applicable considerations.
State Farm Youth Advisory Board Member Applications Open (Deadline: October 3)
Applications are now available for new Board members for the State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB).  It is an amazing opportunity for a young person to grow as a leader, help out communities, and network with other youth from across the U.S. and Canada. Represent yourself and your community as a member of a diverse group of 30 youth, aged 17-20. The board is charged with managing and distributing $5 million per year in service-learning grants. As a member of the YAB, you will be provided an amazing personal developmental opportunity, as well as the opportunity to make a long-lasting impact in communities YOU care about, providing solutions to today's pertinent issues. Apply now for the YAB by going to http://statefarmyab.com/apply/the-board/. 
Project Ignition Grants Available for Students to Address Teen Driver Safety (Deadline: November 15)
Public high schools in the United States and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick are invited to apply for the 2011-2012 grants. Twenty-five schools will be chosen to receive $2,000 grants to implement their campaigns from January to April of this school year. Ten of these schools will be selected to receive an additional $5,000 to support their participation in a significant national conference or event. These ten schools will also be given the opportunity to receive an additional $2,500 to go deeper with their campaigns during the following school year. Visit http://www.sfprojectignition.com/ for more information.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Fourchon Maritime Forest Ridge Planting (August 24-25, 9 am –4 pm)
Join the BTNEP Volunteer Team as we vegetate critical habitat by planting over 7,000 marsh grasses! Forested Maritime Ridges provide critical habitat and storm protection to communities throughout coastal Louisiana. Efforts will involve planting marsh grasses and dune species on a restored maritime ridge that was constructed to restore habitat and protect Port Fourchon from storm surge. BTNEP and our partners are again asking for your support to help vegetate the ridge. All planting equipment (gloves, shovels, dibbles, etc.) will be provided. Volunteers should be prepared for heat and sunny weather and dress appropriately. Closed toe shoes only. Lunch and drinks will be provided to all volunteers. To register, please complete the form below and fax it to the BTNEP program office at 985.447.0870; or email the form to matt@btnep.org. Please check the BTNEP volunteer website or facebook page for updates and weather announcements as the event date approaches: http://volunteer.btnep.org

RESOURCES
American Museum Natural History Fall Courses
For those of you looking for credits this Fall, registration is open for two sessions of Seminars on Science from the American Museum of Natural History. The courses are ONLINE and can be taken for up to 4 graduate credits each. Courses run September - October OR October – November. You can sign up now at MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.amnh.org" claiming to be learn.amnh.org. Courses include: Evolution; Earth: Inside and Out; The Ocean System; The Solar System, Genetics, Genomics, Genethics; The Link Between Dinosaurs and Birds, Space, Time and Motion, and more. Since the courses are fully web-based, there is no need to come to the museum at any time and all courses are led by both an experienced classroom teacher and a PhD scientist in the field. For more information about the program or the courses, contact Katie Rasmussen or Julie Contino at seminfo@amnh.org or 800-649-6715.
Khan Academy – Watch. Practice. Learn almost anything for free.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
With a library of over 2,400 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and 125 practice exercises, The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology.
Be A Beetle Buster
This fun, inquiry-based program will help you empower your students to play a central role in saving your community's trees. Through flexible, standards-based units — one for Upper Elementary and After-School/Summer Programs, and one for Middle School and High School — you can achieve your teaching goals while challenging your students to make a difference in their community. The lessons are easy to teach. Each one includes Advance Prep sections and Supplemental Resources to "jumpstart" the activity. Lessons are engaging and relevant. You'll find Introductory, Guided Inquiry, and Take Action aspects that will enable your students to engage and "show what they know." The Beetle Busters downloadable components are designed to use with your students both during the school year and for after-school and summer programs: http://www.beetlebusters.info/beABeetleBuster_educators.php. Extend your Beetle Busters program with the following engaging resources: try the game to catch Asian Longhorned Beetles by scrolling down to the "Freeze & Collect" game...challenging!

New links to LEEC Resources Page:
http://www.epa.gov/teachers/
http://blog.epa.gov/greeningtheapple/
While some of these sites are state specific, some are for general educational use.
Visit the Louisiana Unified Coastal Community (LUCC) Calendar at http://lacoast.gov/calendar/
The goal of LUCC is to drive Web users to one location to find out about all wetland outreach activities including symposiums, conferences, meetings, educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities and the related support materials. This is an interactive Web based calendar that all wetland related national and state agencies and approved NGOs can post information to. The Web calendar will also provide local governments and other organizations that work with these agencies a place to post wetland activities. LUCC was the vision of the Louisiana Sea Grant. LUCC is hosted on the LaCoast.gov Web site. Currently the LaCoast.gov site gets 1,000,000 hits per month, the goal is to provide users with a "one-stop" location for Louisiana's wetland activities.

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Louisiana Environmental Education Commission – www.wlf.louisiana.gov/eec
Venise Ortego, Environmental Education Coordinator, 337-948-0255, vortego@wlf.la.gov
Juliet Raffray, Environmental Education Assistant Coordinator, 225-765-0124, jraffray@wlf.la.gov

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Gulf of Mexico News

The March 2011 edition of the Gulf of Mexico News is now available online at: http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/news/gomexnews.html. Please send me any stories or announcements you would like to share in the next edition.
Laurie Rounds
NOAA National Ocean Service
Ocean & Coastal Resource Management
Phone: 240-753-4471
http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov