Water & Oceans

"The first newborn right whale of the winter calving season has been spotted off the coast of Georgia."

"A dozen environmental and animal rights groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its decision not to update regulations that limit how much pollution from slaughterhouses can flow into rivers. "

"A federal judge on Tuesday ruled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was liable for damage caused by its decision to retain floodwaters upstream of the Addicks and Barker reservoirs during Hurricane Harvey, a move that caused severe and widespread flooding to homes and businesses on the far-west outreaches of the Houston region."

"U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday called for more federal money and oversight to shore up the nation’s aging dams following an Associated Press investigation that found scores of potentially troubling dams located near homes and communities across the country."

"In a world where warming seas, pollution, and predation are killing coral around the world, an extensive survey of French Polynesia has found a ray of hope. On some atolls there, live coral covers 70% of the reef’s surface; on others, big fish such as grouper and barracuda that have almost disappeared elsewhere are thriving."

"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to restore seven reefs along the Keys reef tract from Key Largo to Key West."

"The Pacific Ocean off the West Coast is acidifying at twice the rate of the rest of the world’s oceans, according to researchers, with potentially catastrophic effects on shellfisheries."

"When it comes to testing toilets, it turns out the appropriate substitute for human feces is miso paste. That's what EPA uses to ensure that commodes earning its WaterSense efficiency label flush effectively."

"Massachusetts state regulators have issued new standards for toxic compounds in drinking water."

"New Jersey is projected to experience “dramatic” sea level rise through the rest of this century, bringing worsening storm surges and more regular flooding to the Garden State, according to a new report released by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Thursday."