Blue Issues

Ben blogs about political issues related to water and the environment. Creative and audacious, he makes connections that no one else sees. But he’s often wrong, so argue with him in the comments section.

Over the past few weeks, the American Upper Midwest has seen extremely heavy rain. The rain has been so heavy, and so consistent, that the Mississippi and Ohio rivers have risen to their highest levels ever recorded. This, predictably, has caused heavy flooding, and stressed the Mississippi River’s flood control apparatus nearly to its breaking point (Because the Ohio is a tributary of the Mississippi, its high water level raises the Mississippi’s as well).  In desperation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was forced to fracture the Mississippi river levee to reduce flood pressure. They have successfully broken it in two places thus far, and will detonate one more section of the wall today. This action saved numerous small towns, including Cairo, Illinois, a town that was evacuated on Saturday because of the danger of flooding. Once the river level lowers, these people will be able to return to their homes.

Ben blogs about political issues related to water and the environment. Creative and audacious, he makes connections that no one else sees. But he’s often wrong, so argue with him in the comments section.

While the long-term health of the American Southwest remains in jeopardy, the region was granted a one-year break from water concerns. Thanks to an unexpectedly wet winter in the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado River received 20% more water than usual. Because of this, the Department of the Interior has been able to fill Lake Mead, the reservoir that serves the American Southwest, 30 feet above its shortage line. Lake Mead will have enough water to satisfy every American and Mexican water claim this year.

Ben blogs about political issues related to water and the environment. Creative and audacious, he makes connections that no one else sees. But he’s often wrong, so argue with him in the comments section.

The big news in American politics right now is the impending government shutdown. It doesn’t look like there is going to be an agreed-upon budget by Friday, and neither party is willing to pass another continuing resolution so that the parties can keep negotiating. Republicans are insisting on $40 billion in spending cuts, which Democrats find unacceptable. One of the places that Republicans are looking to cut money from is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Ben blogs about political issues related to water and the environment. Creative and audacious, he makes connections that no one else sees. But he’s often wrong, so argue with him in the comments section.

Here’s another issue that has been lost in the devastation of the Japanese tsunami. We’re all aware of the horrific human consequences – thousands dead, hundreds of thousands homeless, and hundreds of billions in lost property. However, the tsunami has also done significant harm to marine wildlife, and land animals that rely on the sea for food.