Category Archives: Environment

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Meet The Missouri Sierra Club Chapter Director

Pictured: John Hickey, Missouri Chapter Director of the Sierra Club.

Pictured: John Hickey, Missouri Chapter Director of the Sierra Club.

Meet John Hickey, the Missouri Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, who is the guest on this week’s “Behind the Editor’s Curtain.” Hickey shares his insights into the Missouri Sierra Club – what the organization’s environmental mission is based on, and also the organization’s political advocacy goals and stance on a few current policies.  The organization also manages to have a little fun as well, and Hickey tells Don Corrigan how important it is to get out into nature and enjoy what it has to offer.

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MSD: Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant Fully Operational

Fenton sewer plant, December 2015. Photos provided by Sean Hadley, MSD.

Fenton sewer plant, December 2015. Photos provided by Sean Hadley, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

After months of repair work following historic flooding in December 2015, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) says operations at the Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant are fully restored.

From the MSD website: MSD crews and contractors have restored the full wastewater treatment process at the Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) that is required during the recreation season from April 1- October 31.  This includes the re-establishment of wastewater disinfection using ultraviolet light.  With the restoration of full treatment, the Fenton WWTP again meets regulatory standards.  As a result, the recreation advisory for the Meramec River has been lifted.  MSD crews are in the process of removing signs. Find more information HERE.

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NEW DRONES: BAD FOR PRIVACY? BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

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By Don Corrigan (column from the Webster-Kirkwood Times)

My friend Bill Allen at Mizzou J-School offers a course in using drones for news coverage, but use of flying drones to gather information is raising questions at every level.

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Tales From A Park Ranger

Pictured: Brian Ettling.

Pictured: Brian Ettling.

Brian Ettling, a seasonal park ranger at Crater Lake National Park, is the guest on this week’s “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” with Don Corrigan.

The St. Louis native shares his experiences as a park ranger, what to expect as a visitor to a national park, and also his advocacy efforts to educate the public about climate change.

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Don Corrigan Steps Into The Spotlight At Seattle Conference

FB Don Pic In Seattle WA March 2016Environmental Echo Editor Don Corrigan presented his paper, “Black Faces, Natural Spaces,” last week at the 2016 American Cultural Association / Popular Culture Association (ACA/PCA) in Seattle, Washington.

See below to view Don’s presentation and more.

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Safety Tips and Myths About Missouri’s Severe Weather

It’s Missouri Statewide Severe Weather Week 2016! 

Picture courtesy National Weather Service.

Picture courtesy National Weather Service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured: Jim Kramper, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

Pictured: Jim Kramper, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

Jim Kramper, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in St. Louis, talks with Don Corrigan about what a day in the life of a weather warning coordinator is like, weather safety, weather pattern myths, and what can be learned from Missouri’s past severe weather events.

To hear this edition of “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” click on the link below.

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Radioactive Contamination Top Campaign Concern For Chappelle-Nadal

Pictured: Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

Pictured: Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

By Don Corrigan  (See this article and other local news in the West End Word Newspaper.)

Missouri state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, is already running hard for Congress against U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay Jr., D-St. Louis. She said she will defeat him on “the number one issue in the 1st District: radioactive contamination.”

 

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An Environmental Discussion With Rep. Bill Otto

Pictured: Rep. Bill Otto (far right)

Missouri Rep. Bill Otto, D – Dist. 70, is the guest on this edition on “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” with Don Corrigan.

Otto shares his thoughts on the importance of the environment in the upcoming elections and the issue of public safety relating to the Westlake Landfill radioactive waste topic.

 

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Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal: St. Louis Nuclear Waste Issues and Upcoming Elections

Pictured: Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal. Photo provided by Sen. Chappelle-Nadal

Pictured: Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D – Dist 14, is the guest on in this edition of “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” with Don Corrigan.

The Senator shares insights into her investigations of radioactive waste issues in St. Louis, and gives an update on her legislative bill SB600, a proposed bill that is a  home buyout for citizens close to the Westlake Landfill.

Don also asks a few questions about the upcoming elections and Sen. Chappelle-Nadal’s current bid for Rep. Lacy Clay’s U.S. House seat in this informational and passionate interview.

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St. Louis Nuclear Waste Issues Continue

Dr. Helen Caldicott (left) and Kay Drey at the STLCC-Wildwood nuclear waste symposium held February 20. Photo by Holly Shanks.

Dr. Helen Caldicott (left) and Kay Drey at the STLCC-Wildwood nuclear waste symposium.

Environmental Echo will continue to cover the Westlake Landfill and Coldwater Creek nuclear waste issues. Look for upcoming podcast interviews with some of the St. Louis region’s legislative leaders who represent the people from the contaminated areas. They have some pretty strong opinions on the inaction by state and federal authorities on radioactive problems that have been festering for decades.

Dr. Helen Caldicott, an Australian physician and anti-nuclear waste activist, was the keynote speaker at the St. Louis Community College at Wildwood’s symposium, “The Atoms Next Door” on February 20, 2016.

Caldicott answered a few informational questions about the nuclear waste issues in St. Louis in an email response to Environmental Echo. The questions and answers are included below.

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