How can I search for and order historic USGS topographic maps?
Historic map availability varies with location. The USGS began topographic mapping in 1882, but detailed 24,000-scale mapping for the entire nation (excluding Alaska) was not completed until 1992. As a general rule, map scale gets smaller (less detailed) as you go back in time. Urban areas tended to…
What are the file formats for the National Atlas map layers and data tables?
Most map layers are available in the Shapefile format introduced by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Here is a link to technical whitepaper for the Shapefile format . This information is in portable document format (PDF). Reading it requires an Acrobat Reader plug-in for your web…
What are sinkholes?
Sinkholes are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone, carbonate rock, salt beds, or rocks that can naturally be dissolved by ground water circulating through them. As the rock dissolves, spaces and caverns develop underground. Sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays…
Where is the detailed report concerning the Bakken Formation?
All currently available USGS material on the Bakken Assessment can be found on our website at: http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/oilgas/noga/ (choose Bakken/Williston Basin on the interactive map to see available documents), including a summary of the geology, geologic model, and methodology in poster…
What is the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)?
The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources. The NBII links diverse, high-quality biological databases, information products, and analytical tools maintained…
Science Wednesday: Putting Science into Action for Cleaner Communities
Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.After reading statements like “further research is needed” or “researching is ongoing” in articles about science and the environment, I am often frustrated. If only it were possible to have all…
Update on NOAA’s Oil Spill Research and Response Missions
NOAA continues to play a vital role in the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill response, using all the scientific methods at its disposal, including satellites in space, planes in the air, ships on the water, autonomous underwater vehicles and gliders under the water, and scientists in the field.
EPA Grant to Help Green the Port of Pittsburgh Diesel emissions will be significantly reduced
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (July 28, 2010) – The U.S
Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies: Share Your Ideas by Friday!
Last month, I penned my first Greenversations post. I encouraged readers to share their ideas and feedback on a new component of the Draft FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan, the Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies. Since then, close to 2,000 individuals have checked-out our Discussion Forum and…
NOAA: Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48 Countries
The 2009 State of the Climate report released Wednesday draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable.
West Virginia -- Emerald Ash Borer Found in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties (Jul 20, 2010)
Emerald Ash Borer Found in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties (Jul 20, 2010) West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties on purple prism traps seen in trees throughout the state, according to the West Virginia Department of…
MSU Sea Lamprey Research Sheds Light on How Stress Hormones Evolved (Jul 20, 2010)
MSU Sea Lamprey Research Sheds Light on How Stress Hormones Evolved (Jul 20, 2010) Michigan State University. Michigan State University researchers are the first to identify a stress hormone in the sea lamprey , using the 500 million-year-old species as a model to understand the evolution of the…
States and Cities Launch Initiative to Modernize the Chicago Area Waterway System and Protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp (Jul 22, 2010)
States and Cities Launch Initiative to Modernize the Chicago Area Waterway System and Protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp (Jul 22, 2010) Great Lakes Commission. Great Lakes states and cities have announced an initiative, Envisioning a Chicago Area Waterway System for the 21st Century (PDF | 65…
Elevated Ozone Levels Predicted in Parts of Conn., Mass. and Maine on Wed. July 28, 2010
(Boston, Mass. – July 27, 2010) – Unhealthy air quality is predicted for interior Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and southern coastal Maine on Wednesday due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone
USDA Forest Service Releases New Roadmap for Responding to Changing Climate (Jul 20, 2010)
USDA Forest Service Releases New Roadmap for Responding to Changing Climate (Jul 20, 2010) U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA ForestService has released the NationalRoadmap for Responding to Climate Change (Jul 2010; PDF | 667 KB) and APerformance Scorecard for Implementing the Forest Service…
Insulation is Cool – Literally!
I’ve written a few times over the 18 months about our home renovation and how we went as green as we could afford. The last time, I was sitting in my dining room during our crazy-snowy winter.
How can I search for and order historic USGS topographic maps?
Historic map availability varies with location. The USGS began topographic mapping in 1882, but detailed 24,000-scale mapping for the entire nation (excluding Alaska) was not completed until 1992. As a general rule, map scale gets smaller (less detailed) as you go back in time. Urban areas tended to…
What are the file formats for the National Atlas map layers and data tables?
Most map layers are available in the Shapefile format introduced by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Here is a link to technical whitepaper for the Shapefile format . This information is in portable document format (PDF). Reading it requires an Acrobat Reader plug-in for your web…
What are sinkholes?
Sinkholes are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone, carbonate rock, salt beds, or rocks that can naturally be dissolved by ground water circulating through them. As the rock dissolves, spaces and caverns develop underground. Sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays…
Where is the detailed report concerning the Bakken Formation?
All currently available USGS material on the Bakken Assessment can be found on our website at: http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/oilgas/noga/ (choose Bakken/Williston Basin on the interactive map to see available documents), including a summary of the geology, geologic model, and methodology in poster…
What is the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)?
The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources. The NBII links diverse, high-quality biological databases, information products, and analytical tools maintained…
Science Wednesday: Putting Science into Action for Cleaner Communities
Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.After reading statements like “further research is needed” or “researching is ongoing” in articles about science and the environment, I am often frustrated. If only it were possible to have all…
Update on NOAA’s Oil Spill Research and Response Missions
NOAA continues to play a vital role in the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill response, using all the scientific methods at its disposal, including satellites in space, planes in the air, ships on the water, autonomous underwater vehicles and gliders under the water, and scientists in the field.
EPA Grant to Help Green the Port of Pittsburgh Diesel emissions will be significantly reduced
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (July 28, 2010) – The U.S
Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies: Share Your Ideas by Friday!
Last month, I penned my first Greenversations post. I encouraged readers to share their ideas and feedback on a new component of the Draft FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan, the Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies. Since then, close to 2,000 individuals have checked-out our Discussion Forum and…
NOAA: Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48 Countries
The 2009 State of the Climate report released Wednesday draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable.
West Virginia -- Emerald Ash Borer Found in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties (Jul 20, 2010)
Emerald Ash Borer Found in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties (Jul 20, 2010) West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in Raleigh and Calhoun Counties on purple prism traps seen in trees throughout the state, according to the West Virginia Department of…
MSU Sea Lamprey Research Sheds Light on How Stress Hormones Evolved (Jul 20, 2010)
MSU Sea Lamprey Research Sheds Light on How Stress Hormones Evolved (Jul 20, 2010) Michigan State University. Michigan State University researchers are the first to identify a stress hormone in the sea lamprey , using the 500 million-year-old species as a model to understand the evolution of the…
States and Cities Launch Initiative to Modernize the Chicago Area Waterway System and Protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp (Jul 22, 2010)
States and Cities Launch Initiative to Modernize the Chicago Area Waterway System and Protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp (Jul 22, 2010) Great Lakes Commission. Great Lakes states and cities have announced an initiative, Envisioning a Chicago Area Waterway System for the 21st Century (PDF | 65…
Elevated Ozone Levels Predicted in Parts of Conn., Mass. and Maine on Wed. July 28, 2010
(Boston, Mass. – July 27, 2010) – Unhealthy air quality is predicted for interior Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and southern coastal Maine on Wednesday due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone
USDA Forest Service Releases New Roadmap for Responding to Changing Climate (Jul 20, 2010)
USDA Forest Service Releases New Roadmap for Responding to Changing Climate (Jul 20, 2010) U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA ForestService has released the NationalRoadmap for Responding to Climate Change (Jul 2010; PDF | 667 KB) and APerformance Scorecard for Implementing the Forest Service…
Insulation is Cool – Literally!
I’ve written a few times over the 18 months about our home renovation and how we went as green as we could afford. The last time, I was sitting in my dining room during our crazy-snowy winter. Almost six months later, we’ve just gone through one of the worst heat waves I can remember. [...]
Grant of $70,000 to Help Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities in Iowa Comply with Regulations
Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Kansas City, Kan., July 27, 2010) - EPA has awarded the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) a total of $70,000 to assist with outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program
EPA Obtains Changes to West Virginia Coal Mine Permit to Significantly Protect Water and Environment
PHILADELPHIA (July 27, 2010) - Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a final Clean Water Act permit to Coal-Mac Inc. for the Pine Creek Surface Mine project in Logan County, West Virginia
Rhode Island Airport Corp. and Contractors Fined for Reporting Violations at TF Green Airport
(Boston, Mass. - July 26, 2010) – Rhode Island Airport Corporation and its demolition contractors, O.R
EPA Releases Rulemaking Guidance on Environmental Justice
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing an interim guidance document to help agency staff incorporate environmental justice into the agency’s rulemaking process. The rulemaking guidance is an important and positive step toward meeting EPA Administrator Lisa P
Grant of $70,000 to Help Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities in Iowa Comply with Regulations
Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Kansas City, Kan., July 27, 2010) - EPA has awarded the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) a total of $70,000 to assist with outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program
EPA Obtains Changes to West Virginia Coal Mine Permit to Significantly Protect Water and Environment
PHILADELPHIA (July 27, 2010) - Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a final Clean Water Act permit to Coal-Mac Inc. for the Pine Creek Surface Mine project in Logan County, West Virginia
Rhode Island Airport Corp. and Contractors Fined for Reporting Violations at TF Green Airport
(Boston, Mass. - July 26, 2010) – Rhode Island Airport Corporation and its demolition contractors, O.R
EPA Releases Rulemaking Guidance on Environmental Justice
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing an interim guidance document to help agency staff incorporate environmental justice into the agency’s rulemaking process. The rulemaking guidance is an important and positive step toward meeting EPA Administrator Lisa P