Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Preliminary Watershed Assessment: Mona Lake Watershed, Alan Steinman, Rick Rediske, Xuefeng Chu, Rod Denning, Lori Nemeth, Don Uzarski, Bopi Biddanda, Mark Luttenton

Scientific Technical Reports

The Mona Lake watershed, located in Muskegon and Newaygo Counties in west Michigan, is relatively small in area (~ 200 km2 or 48,000 acres), but faces a large number of environmental challenges. An ecological assessment of the watershed was conducted to provide a new baseline of information, in the hope that this effort would catalyze actions to improve the health of the watershed.

Nonlethal Techniques For Managing Predation: Primary And Secondary Repellents, John A. Shivik, Adrian Treves, Peggy Callahan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Conservation biology requires the development of practical tools and techniques to minimize conflicts arising from human modification of ecosystems. We applied behavioral theory of primary and secondary repellents to predator management by using aversive stimulus devices (electronic training collars) and disruptive stimulus devices (behavior-contingent audio and visual repellents) in a multipredator (Canis lupus, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Ursus spp. ) study in the United States. We examined fladry and a newly developed disruptive stimulus device contingent upon behavior on six wolf territories in Wisconsin, (US.A.) and determined that the disruptive stimulus device gave the greatest degree of protection from predation. We …

Wolf Depredation Trends And The Use Of Fladry Barriers To Protect Livestock In Western North America, Marco Musiani, Charles Mamo, Luigi Boitani, Carolyn Callaghan, C. Cormack Gates, Livia Mattei, Elisabetta Visalberghi, Stewart W. Breck, Giulia Volpi

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In Alberta, Canada (1982-2001), and in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, United States (1987-2001), wolves (Canis lupus) killed various domestic animals, among which the major prey were sheep in the United States (68%, n = 494) and cattle in Canada (95%; n = 1633). Under recovery programs, the wolf population increased in the United States, and depredation events increased proportionately. In both countries, the number of domestic animals killed each year was correlated with the number of wolves killed by government authorities for depredation management. We tested the ability of anti-wolf barriers made of flags hanging from ropes to impede wolf …

Survey Of Health Effects Among Residents Adjacent To A National Priority List Site In Ssouthwest Virginia., Danette Haywood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Saltville Waste Disposal Site is a National Priority List site used during the 77- year operation (1895–1972) of an electrolytic chlorine and caustic soda plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine disease prevalence among Saltville Medical Center (SMC) patients. Diseases associated with chronic exposures to mercury, arsenic, and lead were reviewed in patient records and these data were analyzed. Ratios of illness observed at the SMC were compared to health studies of similar environmental exposures and disease prevalence among residents of neighboring communities. Prevalence ratios were calculated for residents and non-residents of Saltville who were SMC patients. Saltville …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Organic Matrix: Quaterly Report September-December 2003, Spencer M. Steinberg

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The recovery of iodine released during the processing of used nuclear fuel poses a significant challenge to the transmutation of radioactive iodine. This proposal will develop and examine the use of Fullerene Containing Carbon (FCC) compounds as potential sorbents for iodine release from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. This work will also include the development of bench-scale testing capabilities at UNLV to allow the testing of the FCC material in a simulated process off-gas environment. This experimental capability will also be used to test other potential sorption materials and processes, such as natural organic matter (NOM) and other promising alternatives. …

Host-Pathogen Interactions In A Segregating Population Of Bc2f2 Hybrid Castanea Dentata And Other Chesnut Hybirds After Exposure To Hypovirus-Containing And Hypvirus-Free Strains Of Cryphonectria Parasitica, Stephen Henry Alexander

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

An F2 population of second backcross interspecific hybrid chestnut trees (BC2F2) and the progeny of the Chattanooga Chestnut Tree Project (CCTP) breeding program were exposed to three isogenic strains of Cryphonectria parasitica. Strain Ep155 (virus-free) was used to screen the 4- 7 year old chestnut trees for resistance to chestnut blight disease. Two virus-containing, hypovirulent strains, Ep155(CHV1-Euro7) and Ep155(CHV1-Ep713), were used to investigate interactions of host disease resistance and expression ofhypovirulence. The BC2F2 population varied from highly susceptible to highly resistant, as measured by Ep155 (virus-free) canker length at 95 days. Disease resistance in the CCTP population varied from highly …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics-Task V: Fourth Quarterly Report 09/01/2003-11/30/2003, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the TRP proposed application. Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with only very sparse experimental data. Scientists have noticed that the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the liquid alloy could control the corrosion rate of steels exposed to Pb or Pb-Bi. At high …

Poisonous Snakes And Snakebite In Nebraska, Ron J. Johnson

Other Publications in Wildlife Management

Recognizing Poisonous Snakes Prairie rattlesnake Timber rattlesnake Western massasauga Copperhead THE "2-3-4" OF SNAKEBITE Avoiding Poisonous Snakes - The "2" What SHOULD be done in case of Poisonous Snakebite - The "3" What SHOULD NOT Be Done - The "4" Should You Kill Poisonous Snakes on Sight? IN CASE OF POISONOUS SNAKEBITE

Bomb-Pulse Chlorine-36 At The Proposed Yucca Mountain Repository Horizon: An Investigation Of Previous Conflicting Results And Collection Of New Data, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Fred Phillips, Drew Coleman, Don Baepler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

Previous studies by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) quantified ³⁶Cl/Cl to test for the presence of fast pathways at the proposed Yucca Mountain high-level nuclear waste repository. The goal of these studies was to determine whether or not fluids containing bomb-pulse ³⁶Cl/Cl traveled along fast travel pathways and reached the repository horizon, however, the two groups followed somewhat different procedures and produced conflicting results. The objective of this study is to attempt to determine the cause of the conflicting results and to obtain additional data to determine whether or …

Acute And Chronic Toxicity Of Compound Drc-1339 (3-Chloro-4-Methylaniline Hydrochloride) To Birds, John D. Eisemann, Patricia A. Pipas, John L. Cummings

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

DRC-1339( 3-chloro-4-methylaniline hydrochloride) is the only toxicant currently registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for lethal bird control. DRC-1339 was first registered in 1967 for starling control at feedlots It may currently be used to manage blackbirds, rock doves, crows, ravens, magpies, gulls and starlings for purposes of protecting human health and safety, agricultural crops and threatened or endangered species. A large body of toxicity information is available because of the nature of DRC-1339 uses and its 35-year history of use. Laboratory testing has resulted in estimates of median lethal dose (LD₅₀) for 55 species of …

A Review Of The Range, Distribution, And Ecology Of The Invasive Northern Curly-Tailed Lizard In Florida, Henry T. Smith, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We examined the distribution and ecology of the exotic northern curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus armouri) in Florida. Published literature and especially unpublished documents and data were reviewed and synthesized. Our findings suggest that both the range and distribution of the Florida population have expanded at a rapid rate during the last 60 years. Ecological effects or this species on Florida's native lizards and other fauna have not been quantified and require thorough evaluation.

Nontarget Bird Exposure To Drc-1339 During Fall In North Dakota And Spring In South Dakota, Thomas W. Custer, Christine M. Custer, Paul M. Dummer, George M. Linz, Louis Sileo, Randal S. Stahl, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbirds frequently use ripening sunflower (Helianthus annuus)as a food source in the northern Great Plains. In 1999 and 2000, the avicide DRC-1339 (3-chloro-4-methylaniline hydrochloride) was used experimentally on fall-ripening sunflower fields in North Dakota so researchers could evaluate its effectiveness for reducing crop depredations by blackbirds DRC-1339 was applied to rice and broadcast on the ground in a confined area within ripening sunflower fields. One objective of this study was to determine if nontarget birds, birds other than blackbirds, were eating rice and were exposed to DRC 1339. In 1999, 8 of 11(73%) sparrows collected by shotgun in sunflower fields …

Understanding Blackbird Sensory Systems And How Repellent Applications Work, Scott J. Werner, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We reviewed the learning processes and sensory capabilities of birds, with a special emphasis on chemical repellents and wildlife damage management. Repellents include several methods and devices used to manipulate behavior of birds in attempt to reduce damage or nuisance. Effective applications of chemical repellents to reduce bird damages are dependant upon an adequate understanding of the sensory modalities and modes of animal learning that are affected by a repellent. Chemical repellents can elicit withdrawal from specific or combined sensory stimuli or by producing learned avoidance via association between adverse postingestive effects and specific sensory cues. The application of repellents …

Dietary Toxicity Test For 2% Drc-1339-Treated Brown Rice On Nontarget Avian Species, John L. Cummings, Darryl L. York, Kirk J. Shively, Patricia A. Pipas, Randal S. Stahl, James E. Davis Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In Louisiana and Texas DRC-l339 treated brown rice is used to manage blackbird populations that cause severe damage to newly planted rice. Non-target bird species have been observed on some DRC-1339 bait sites. We conducted dietary toxicity tests to provide additional data on the toxicity of DRC-l339 to the following non-target species observed on DRC-1339 bait sites: savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), Canada geese (Branta canadensis), snow geese (Chen caerulescens), mourning doves (Zenarda macroura), western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), and American tree sparrows (Spizella arborea). During our 5-day DRC-1339 dietary …

Estimating The Number Of Nonbreeding Male Red-Winged Blackbirds In Central North Dakota, Richard S. Sawin, George M. Linz, Ryan L. Wimberly, Mark W. Lutman, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelauis phoeniceus) have a polygynous breeding system that results in a group of nonbreeding males (floaters) who are unable to obtain territories. Floaters are often unaccounted for in population estimates during the breeding season because they are difficult to locate. We used a series of removals to estimate the population of non-breeding after-second-year male red-winged blackbirds in two townships in the northern Great Plains. The number of floaters determines the level of competition for vacant territories. In our study population, we estimated there were more floaters than territorial males, indicating that competition for vacant territories was …

Nontarget Bird Use Of Drc-1339 Bait Sites During Operational Baiting Programs In Louisiana And Texas, Patricia A. Pipas, John L. Cummings, John D. Eisemann, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nontarget bird use of DRC-1339 bait sites was assessed during operational baiting programs from 2000-2002 in Louisiana and from 2001-2002 in Texas. DRC-1339 is an avicide registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to manage blackbirds causing damage to agriculture. It was used in Louisiana between 15 February to 15 March and in Texas from January though March to protect newly planted rice. In Louisiana, there were 55 bait sites observed during 316 observation periods (158 observation hours) and 312 flush-counts conducted from 2000-2002. In Texas, there were 26 bait sites observed during 182 observation periods (91 observation hours) and …

Amount And Economic Valuation Of Feral Hog Damage To A Unique Basin Marsh Wetland In Florida, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Robert G. Severson, Mary Ann M. Severson, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Bernice Constantin, Daniel Griffin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) have been introduced into many natural habitats throughout the world, and they have adversely affected the environment in most of those places. Basin marshes are unique, but dwindling ecosystems in Florida that are especially vulnerable to damage by feral hogs. We estimated the amount of hog damage to the last remnant of a basin marsh system in Savannas Preserve State Park (SPSP), and to ecotones within the marsh. We also applied an economic valuation method for the hog damage that was based on the dollar amounts that wetland regulators have allowed permit applicants to …

Reducing Blackbird-Human Conflicts In Agriculture And Feedlots: New Methods For An Integrated Management Approach, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Linda B. Penry, Philip Mastrangelo

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the United States, blackbirds are abundant and widely distributed. with their winter populations estimated to be between 500 million and 1 billion. Annual damage to grain, fruit, and berry crops from blackbirds exceeds $100 million in direct costs. Additional costs, not estimated, include those spent to prevent human health and safety hazards and those from damage abatement efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services (WS) is charged with reducing the magnitude of health. safety, nuisance, agriculture, and feedlot/dairy problems caused by these birds. WS' goal is to improve profitability to agricultural producers, enhance the human health and safety, …

Slides: Encana, John Moran

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

Presenter: John Moran, Reservoir Engineer, Encana Oil & Gas

23 slides

Abstract: For companies doing directional drilling, what are the direct and indirect costs and benefits? When is it economical and what factors does industry take into account in making the decision to utilize directional drilling?

Notes From The Directional Drilling Workshop, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

20 pages

"These notes were taken by one of our law students attending the workshop. They are not a verbatim transcript and they were not supplied by, and may not have been reviewed by, the speakers. There may be errors or gaps in the notes and for these we apologize in advance. Where the speaker provided an abstract of their talk, these are included and noted as such."

Agenda: Workshop On Directional Drilling In The Rocky Mountain Region, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center, Colorado School Of Mines

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

The Rocky Mountain region is seeing a large increase in the amount of exploration and production of oil and gas resources. Many people are interested in the use of directional and horizontal drilling technology but not much is understood about these technologies outside of the oil and gas industry. Many hold out the promise that directional drilling can minimize environmental impacts and the footprint of development. The technological, environmental, legal and policy implications of directional drilling for oil and gas in the Rocky Mountain region are the focus of this workshop.

Slides: Directional Drilling: The Promise And The Peril, Alfred W. Eustes Iii

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

Presenter: Dr. Bill Eustes, Ph.D., P.E., Department of Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

63 slides

Abstract: What is it, where can it be done and how does it fit into full field development for oil and gas? This segment will set the foundation and bring everyone up to a basic level of understanding of the technology of directional drilling.

Slides: Untitled [British Petroleum], Rusty Riese

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

Presenter: Dr. Rusty Riese, Consulting Geologist, BP American Production Co.

6 slides

Abstract: For companies doing directional drilling, what are the direct and indirect costs and benefits? When is it economical and what factors does industry take into account in making the decision to utilize directional drilling?

Slides: Untitled [Western Resource Advocates], Mike Chiropolos

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

Presenter: Mike Chiropolos, Attorney, Western Resource Advocates

10 slides

Abstract: What are the environmental considerations involved with directional drilling? How should the NEPA analysis take this technology into account? When should it be analyzed as an alternative to conventional vertical drilling?

Slides: Untitled [Colorado Attorney General's Office], Carol Harmon

Workshop on Directional Drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region (November 13)

Presenter: Carol Harmon, Colorado Attorney General's Office

8 slides

Abstract: When does the State require directional drilling? Can landowners require it in Surface Use Agreements? What does Colorado's version of the accommodation doctrine mean for directional drilling?

Water Quality Monitoring Of Moore's Creek Above Lincoln Lake, M. A. Nelson, L. W. Cash, G. K. Trost

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Water Quality Sampling, Analysis And Annual Load Determinations For Tss, Nitrogen And Phosphorus At The Washington County Road 76 Bridge On Ballard Creek, Marc A. Nelson, Ron Redman, L. Wade Cash, G. Keith Trost

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

The Illinois River Basin has experienced water quality impairment from non-point source pollution for many years. This fact was well documented in the State of Arkansas' Water Quality Assessment report, the Soil Conservation Service River Basin Study, and several University of Arkansas, Fayetteville studies. Thirty-seven sub-watersheds have been identified by the SCS in the Arkansas portion of the Illinois River basin. In the Arkansas portion of the Basin, the Illinois River, Evansville Creek, Baron Fork, Cincinnati Creek, Muddy Fork, Moores Creek, Clear Creek, Osage Creek and Flint Creek were all classified as not supporting their designated use as primary contact …

Water Quality Sampling, Analysis And Annual Load Determinations For Tss, Nitrogen And Phosphorus At The Wyman Road Bridge On The White River, Marc Nelson, Wade Cash

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

A water quality sampling station was installed at the Wyman Road Bridge just below the confluence of the three main forks of the Upper White River in January 2000. This station is coordinated with the USGS gaging station at the same location. This station was instrumented to collect samples at sufficient intervals across the hydrograph to accurately estimate the flux of total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus into the upper end of Beaver Lake from the Upper White River.

Water Quality Sampling, Analysis And Annual Load Determinations For Tss, Nitrogen And Phosphorus At The Washington County Road 195 Bridge On The West Fork Of The White River, Marc Nelson, Wade Cash

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

A water quality sampling station was installed at the Washington County Road 195 Bridge on the West Fork of the White River just above the confluence of the three main forks of the Upper White River in December 2001. The Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) was approved by EPA Region Six on March 2002 and sampling was begun at that time. This station is coordinated with a USGS gauging station at the same location. This station was instrumented to collect samples at sufficient intervals across the hydrograph to accurately estimate the flux of total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus into …

2002 Pollutant Loads Kings River Near Berryville, Arkansas, Marc Nelson, Wade Cash

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

An automatic sampler and a USGS gauging station were established in 1998 and water quality sampling was begun in 1999 on the Kings River near Berryville, Arkansas. Continuous stage and discharge measurements and frequent water quality sampling have been used to determine pollutant concentrations and loads in the river. This report presents the results from the sampling and analysis for January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002.