Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

Scwds Briefs: Volume 19, Number 4 (January 2004)

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study: Publications

• A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (H5N1) recently has been reported among domestic poultry in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. This virus also has been responsible for 23 confirmed human cases, including 18 deaths.
• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman announced a “presumptive positive” case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a dairy cow from the state of Washington.—Report on completed investigation.
• Proposed Rule in the Federal Register regarding a chronic wasting disease (CWD) herd certification program and interstate shipping requirements for captive deer and elk.
• Another BIG Year for …

Levels Of Synthetic Musk Compounds In Municipal Wastewater For Potential Estimation Of Biota Exposure In Receiving Waters, Lantis Osemwengie, Shawn Gerstenberger

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

We analyzed water samples from the confluence of three municipal sewage treatment effluent streams, surface water, and whole carp (Cyprinus carpio) for synthetic musks for a period of 7–12 months. The lipid content of each fish was determined and compared with the concentration of musks in the whole fish tissue. Enhanced methods were used for water sampling and musk extraction. The data presented here provide insight as to the relationship between concentrations of synthetic musks in the municipal effluent and associated biota. This study confirmed the presence of polycyclic and nitro musk compounds in sewage effluent, Lake Mead water, and …

Human Rights, Health And The Environment, David Gillespie

Human Rights & Human Welfare

Environmental health and human rights are inextricably linked. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.” Given that the earth is the source of the basic necessities of human life, any discussion about health and human rights must be attentive to its inherent environmental aspects. International conventions, documents and reports such as Agenda 21 (1992) and The Draft Declaration of Human Rights and the Environment (1994) have expressly argued for such an integrated approach. In response, a plethora of works over the past decade have expanded the …

A Proposal To Meet The Biofuels Directive In Ireland, Karl Mccarthy

Theses

In 1990 the transport sector accounted for 9,5% of all Irish emissions. By 2010 it is predicted that transport emissions will have increased by 179%, accounting for 18.8% of all emissions. It is predicted that transport emissions will therefore be around 14,000 kt in 2010. This equates to around €370 million pa in carbon taxes if and when the taxation regime is introduced. This €370 million may be used to facilitate a biofuel industry (for example, by reducing excise duty on biofuels).

The proposed carbon tax along with the EU Biofuels Directive aims to encourage the use of renewable transport …

Friends Of Red Rock Canyon Quarterly Meeting, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI)

The Public Lands Institute is dedicated to strengthening the national fabric that is essential for the protection, conservation, and management of public lands.

Ecology Of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Humifusa) In Oak Openings Preserve, Northwestern Ohio, Scott R. Abella, John F. Jaeger

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear cactus) is listed as potentially threatened in Ohio, and we examined the characteristics of O. humifusa sites in Oak Openings Preserve in northwestern Ohio’s Oak Openings region in an attempt to provide data that may help protect this species. Opuntia humifusa occurrences were associated with loose sands of the xeric Udipsamment Ottokee and Oakville soil series on sites that had been cleared before the 1940s during failed agricultural attempts. Shading by encroaching canopy trees is a threat to several O. humifusa populations in Oak Openings Preserve, and treatments that reduce canopy cover at these sites …

Tree Thinning And Prescribed Burning Effects On Ground Flora In Arizona Ponderosa Pine Forests: A Review, Scott R. Abella

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Ground flora is an important response variable to monitor after tree thinning and prescribed burning treatments designed to restore Arizona ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P.& C. Lawson) forests. This paper reviews published literature on the effects of thinning and burning on ground flora in Arizona ponderosa pine forests in five main categories of research: ground flora biomass, species diversity, plant community composition, population processes, and individual species ecology. Research published to date suggests that thinning and burning generally increase ground flora biomass, whereas other categories of research such as community composition and population processes have been little studied in Arizona …

Final Report: An Assessment To Determine The Most Suitable Location And Design For The Development Of A City-Run, Boat Sewage Pumpout Facility To Service Commercial And Recreational Vessels That Utilize The Waters Within The Jurisdiction Of The City Of Boston, Urban Harbors Institute, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Urban Harbors Institute Publications

This report presents the findings of a site and equipment feasibility study, as well as, a permit overview for the installation of a vessel sewage pumpout system for servicing commercial and recreational vessels in the City of Boston. As part of the analysis, we reviewed a number of sites located within the City of Boston’s jurisdiction in Boston Harbor. We contacted facilities that have made recent investments in commercial grade pumpouts to learn more about the available technology. In analyzing the permit process, we reviewed local zoning requirements and had conversations with relevant City and state officials.

The project, as …

The Use Of Selected Water Quality Parameters To Identify Fecal Coliform Sources In Support Of The Sinking Creek Total Maximum Daily Load., Susana Maria Floresguerra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sinking Creek, located in upper east Tennessee, is on the 303(d) list for not meeting minimum water quality standards for recreation. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal coliforms was developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of water quality parameters to identify areas that contribute to the fecal coliform loading. Concentrations of nitrate-N, orthophosphates, BOD, alkalinity, hardness, and optical brighteners (OB) were monitored at fourteen stations monthly for one year. Site 3 (agricultural region) exhibited the highest average nitrate-N loadings (627.34 mg/sec) and orthophosphate (as PO₄^3-) loadings (84.83 mg/sec). Alkalinity loadings …

Trust, Collaboration, And Financial Return In Conservation/Development Partnerships, New England Environmental Finance Center

Economics and Finance

In early 2002 the New England Environmental Finance Center hosted a series of roundtable discussions among municipal officials, residential developers, land trust representatives, and others about "Innovative Approaches to Land Conservation and Smart Growth". Among our observations was that for many of the over 20 conservation/development partnerships we discussed in the series, creation and maintenance of trust was central to success or failure of various stages of the partnership. This suggested a link between creation of trust and financial return for traditionally opposed project partners.

To further examine this matter, we interviewed 11 round table participants and asked questions about …

Effect Of Heavy Metals On Bacteria, Elena Vratonjic

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metals have become devastating environmental contaminants due to their widespread use in the manufacture of electronics, plastics, batteries and dyes. The discharge of heavy metals into the environment has caused concern about their effects on the ecosystem. Many metals are essential for growth in small amounts. However, at higher concentrations heavy metals are toxic because they bind to organic compounds. This accounts for their effects on some important parts of the cell structure, like their ability to denature protein molecules. The initial objective of this study was to find out the growth rate of E.coli and M.roseus in the …

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."

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?

Ua3/9/5 Speech To The Kentucky/Tennessee Section Of The American Water Works Association, Wku President's Office

WKU Administration Documents

Speech delivered by WKU president Gary Ransdell regarding the WKU Center for Water Resource Studies, WKU's Technical Assistance Center for Wastewater and the Circuit Rider Program.

Scwds Briefs: Volume 19, Number 3 (October 2003)

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study: Publications

• Johne's Disease and Southeastern White-tailed Deer: Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Mptb), occurs worldwide and is recognized as a significant health problem for domestic ruminants, wild ruminants in zoological collections, and farmed cervids. SCWDS recently completed a culture and serologic survey for Mptb infection among white-tailed deer populations in the southeastern United States.
• SCWDS has been involved in exotic tick research and surveillance throughout the United States and the Caribbean region for over 25 years, and surveillance efforts now are being expanded in the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. One …

The National Wildlife Strike Database For The Usa: 1990 To 2002 And Beyond, Sandra E. Wright, Richard A. Dolbeer

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

The National Wildlife Strike Database for Civil Aviation in the USA became operational in 1995 with the initiation of data entry of all strikes beginning in 1990. Since 1995, approximately 46,600 reported strikes from 1990-2002 involving civil aircraft in the USA or for USA carriers in foreign countries have been entered into the database. About 97% of the reported strikes have involved birds and 3% have been with mammals or reptiles. Over 2,000 reported strikes have indicated substantial damage to the aircraft. The database has proven to be an extremely useful source of objective information on the extent and nature …

Through A Bird’S Eye – Exploring Avian Sensory Perception, Robert C. Beason

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

For too many birds their environment includes airfields and aircraft. Knowing avian sensory abilities, researchers can design experiments and develop new devices and techniques to deter birds from aircraft on and away from airfields. How birds perceive the world about them determines many choices, including foraging, predator avoidance, and flight. Most experiments to investigate the sensory abilities of birds have been developed and analyzed using only human sensory capabilities, which often differ markedly from those of birds. My objective is to review and synthesize what is known and what is unknown about avian sensory capabilities. Compared with humans, birds can …

Risk-Based Modeling To Develop Zoning Criteria For Land-Use Near Canadian Airports, Rolph A. Davis, Terry Kelly, Richard Sowden, Bruce Mackinnon

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

Land development in the vicinity of airports often leads to land-use that can attract birds that are hazardous to aviation operations. For this reason, certain forms of land-use have traditionally been discouraged within prescribed distances of Canadian airports. However, this often leads to an unrealistic prohibition of land-use in the vicinity of airports located in urban settings. Furthermore, it is often unclear that the desired safety goals have been achieved. This paper describes a model that was created to assist in the development of zoning regulations for a future airport site in Canada. The framework links land-use to bird-related safety-risks …

Towards Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation In Wildlife Management, Brian E. Henshaw

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

Wildlife management at airports presents a myriad of challenges. Familiar to many in the field, is the outwitting of wily coyotes, the outsmarting of persistent birds and the outflanking of troublesome deer. Deterrents to barriers, dogs to pyrotechnics, habitat management to habitat removal, an array of increasingly effective measures can be used as part of integrated wildlife management programs to meet the challenge of increasing suburban wildlife populations and their interactions with air traffic. On or off the airfield, the objectives of all stakeholders will not be consistent with best management practices for wildlife management. This is increasingly likely outside …

Are Birds Scared By Rotating Mirrors?, Thomas W. Seamans, Scott C. Barras, Zachary J. Patton

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

Blackbirds (Icteridae) create human health and safety concerns when roosting in large numbers near airports or other urban areas. Therefore, there is considerable demand for effective nonlethal techniques to deter these birds. We tested the effectiveness of rotating mirrors (Peaceful Pyramid®) to keep blackbirds away from decoy traps. Mirrors were in place on traps for 5 consecutive days with control traps having similar a device in place but without mirrors. The total number of birds captured in traps with clear mirrors and control traps did not (P = 0.62) differ. When red mirrors were used, the total number of birds …

Fear And Loathing: The Modulatory Effect Of Stress On Memory Formation And Its Wildlife Management Implications, Arla G. Hile

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

An ongoing challenge for wildlife managers is that target species habituate to or forget about hazing, even though the animals must be somewhat stressed by the hazing. Although stress and efficient memory formation/retrieval are considered to be incompatible, research suggests that the effect of stress on memory is complex. Mild and intense stress can impair memory formation and chronic stress can disrupt memory retrieval. Intermediate stress, however, actually enhances the formation of new memories, particularly long-term memories. Unfortunately, these conclusions are based data from only a very few domesticated species under highly controlled conditions. In nature the variation in baseline …

Risk Analysis Of High-Speed Aircraft Departures Below 10,000 Feet, Bruce Mackinnon, Richard Sowden (Capt.), Terry Kelly

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

This paper abridges a Canadian study that examined bird-related safety risks to aircraft climbing to 10,000 feet MSL (mean sea level) at speeds in excess of 250 kias (knots indicated airspeed). The study employed a risk-based framework to examine ornithological information, bird strike data, aircraft-certification standards, aircraft climb performance and aircraft flight profiles. Foremost among its findings, the study determined that populations of high-risk bird species are increasing, that many of these species flock at the altitudes in question, and that aircraft exposure to risk will increase in part because of projected increases in aircraft movements. Examining the appropriateness of …

An Automated Acoustic System To Monitor And Classify Birds, C. Kwan, K. Ho, G. Mei, Y. Li, Z. Ren, R. Xu, G. Zhao, M. Stevenson, V. Stanford, C. Rochet

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

Collisions between aircraft and birds have become an increasing concern for human health and safety. More than four hundred people and over four hundred aircraft have been lost globally in recent years, according to a FAA report. To minimize the number of birdstikes, microphone arrays have been used to monitor birds near the airport or some critical locations in the airspace. However, the range of existing arrays is only limited to a few hundred meters. Moreover, the identification performance in low signal-to-noise environment is not satisfactory. Under the support of the US Air Force, Intelligent Automation, Incorporated (IAI) and the …

The Relationship Of Military Aircraft Activity To Raptors In Central Labrador, Dawn K. Laing, David M. Bird, Tony E. Chubbs, Maj. Gary Humphries

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

Central Labrador is a notable breeding area for Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Bald Eagles (Haliaetus leucocephalus). It is also the location of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Low level Training Area (LLTA) for fighter aircraft, covering an area of approximately 130,000 km2 over Labrador and north-eastern Québec. Currently, military aircraft based in Goose Bay, Labrador annually conduct 5,000-7,000 sorties and are permitted to conduct up to 18,000 per flying season (DND 1995). The interaction between the two is frequently fatal for the bird and potentially so for the aircraft and pilot. Since the early 1990s, the Department of National …

Application Of Gis Technologies To Wildlife Management At Dfw Airport, Edwin E. Herricks, Jonathan R. B. Fisher, Curt Kuehner, Michael J. Hovan

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

As part of a continuing FAA research program in wildlife hazard assessment and management at airports, a GIS Technical Element – DFW was developed for the Wildlife Hazard Advisory System (WHAS). For the DFW GIS data layers were obtained from public sources and supplemented with airport specific information. Data themes were developed to support general analysis of wildlife habitat on the AOA and adjacent airport property, and analysis was extended to a distance of 25 miles from the airport to accommodate all aircraft in high risk airspace. Over 10,000 wildlife report records were integrated with data on birdstrikes and runway …

A Model For Assessing Bird Strike Risk At Proposed New Airports, Jenny Bell, Niall H. K. Burton, Richard Walls, Andy J. Musgrove, Mark M. Rehfish, John Allan, George Wattola

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 5th (2003)

There are many criteria which need to be assessed when carrying out site selection for new airport developments. One of those which should be assessed is prospective bird hazard and bird strike risk – unfortunately, this is rarely considered as a factor. One reason for this may be the lack of available methodology for such work. This paper presents the methodology used during a recent hazard assessment for a proposed new airport for London. The methodology builds on previously described risk assessment techniques, which were developed for operational airports. It allows an assessment of the likelihood of bird strikes to …