Latest news with #phosphorus
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Coast Guard recovers all missing Lake Michigan pyrotechnics
The Brief All four phosphorus pyrotechnics missing from a late-May military exercise on Lake Michigan have been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday night. One device was found by a lifeguard at Montrose Beach in Chicago on May 26; the locations of the other three have not been disclosed. The flares, used in a joint exercise near Milwaukee, failed to activate and can emit red smoke and flames of up to 2,900°F. CHICAGO - All four phosphorus pyrotechnics that went missing during a military training exercise on Lake Michigan have been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday night. What we know Officials have not released further details about where three of the devices were recovered. One was found by a lifeguard at Montrose Beach in Chicago on May 26. The devices, which produce red smoke and flames reaching temperatures of up to 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, were part of a joint military exercise held offshore near Milwaukee in late May. The four pyrotechnics were deployed during the exercise but failed to activate upon entering the water, the Coast Guard said. We'll provide updates as more information becomes available. RELATED: Coast Guard warns Lake Michigan beachgoers of unaccounted pyrotechnics
Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
AgriSearch to host webinar on NAP farm impact calculator
AgriSearch will be hosting a webinar next week to assist farmers across Northern Ireland to make the most of its new Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) farm impact calculator. The calculator is being developed by AgriSearch to help farmers assess the impact of the measures proposed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) under NAP for 2026 to2029. This includes a calculation of the organic nitrogen (N) loading, using the updated figures for dairy cows, which will determine if a farmer falls into the 'intensive' category or will require a derogation. AgriSearch The calculator will also determine a farm's proposed allowance for chemical N fertiliser and indicate if this is above or below the farm's current usage. Finally, the calculator will work out the farm's phosphorus (P) balance and indicate how many extra hectares or the extent of the stocking rate cut needed to achieve both the 10kgP/ha and 8kgP/ha limit. The calculator will be available for download from the AgriSearch website from Monday evening (June 2) just ahead of the webinar which takes place at 8:00p.m. AgriSearch said the webinar will offer a practical, step-by-step guide on how to download and use the calculator and interpret the results. This will be followed by a question and answer session. The event is for farmers, advisors, and industry stakeholders looking to understand how the proposed NAP proposals could impact farmers and the wider industry. Those who want to register for the webinar can visit the AgriSearch website. Earlier this month, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026 to 2029, which he said contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'. The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
1 dangerous phosphorus flare from military exercise found at Montrose Beach, 3 more still out there
A potentially dangerous phosphorus flare was found at Montrose Beach this week, and the U.S. Coast Guard said three more remain unaccounted for. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan said the flares were used for a joint military exercise with the Air Force earlier this month offshore from Milwaukee. Four phosphorus pyrotechnics failed to activate when they hit the water during the exercise, the Coast Guard said. The flares are considered armed if they do not activate. When they do, they produce a red smoke and flame that can reach 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, the Coast Guard said. The flares ignite when they hit water, after a cap and screw are removed. One flare was found on Monday by a lifeguard at Montrose Beach — a popular beach known in particular for its dog-friendly area and its piping plovers. The newest generation of birds laid their first egg at the beach just last week. Chicago beaches also opened for the season this week. U.S. Coast Guard The Coast Guard said three live phosphorus pyrotechnics from the exercise in Milwaukee are still out there. Anyone who finds a silver-colored cylinder on the beach should call 911, the Coast Guard said.
Agriland
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
Farmers' concerns prompt extension to consultation in NI on NAP
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir, today (Friday, May 16) confirmed that he intends to extend the public consultation period on the proposed Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026 to 2029. The consultation on the updated and revised NAP, which was launched on May 1, is now being extended to 12 weeks and will close for responses on July 24. Minister Muir said: 'I recognise that the proposals in the revised NAP have a level of complexity because of the detailed science and evidence underpinning them. 'Therefore, having listened to the concerns from farmers and industry about the need for more time to consider the consultation proposals, I am extending the consultation period by four weeks. 'I would encourage everyone to fully consider the proposals and engage with the consultation.' NAP According to Minister Muir the proposed NAP for 2026 to 2029, contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'. The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farm. There are also some actions included within the Lough Neagh Action Plan, which he said 'will help to meet the objective of reducing water pollution from agricultural sources'. But the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has also warned that the new NAP proposals could 'devastate local farming'. According to the UFU the new proposals could impact on thousands of farmers across Northern Ireland and result in many having to find more land for slurry spreading or cut their livestock numbers. It has claimed the move is a 'backdoor attempt to shrink herds and flocks'. Today Minister Muir said the extended consultation 'is an important opportunity to respond to the proposals and present any alternative solutions, no final decisions have been made.' 'I am passionately committed to working with farmers and the agri-food sector to achieve a strong and sustainable future together,' he added. Balmoral Show Including the extension to the NAP consultation Minister Muir also announced his intention this week to roll out the first phase of a Farming with Nature Package (FwN) for Northern Ireland at the Balmoral Show. The FwN Package aims to support farm businesses across all land types, to make 'substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability'. Minister Muir said: 'My ambition for the FwN Package is to scale up nature friendly farming. I want to see farmers being rewarded for delivering environmental public goods, alongside food production, with the FwN Package becoming a strong and attractive enterprise on farms. 'It will be introduced in phases to support farmers to turn the tide on biodiversity loss by increasing the quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats in the farmed landscape.' In the first year, five actions will be available, with a range of items to support their implementation: Planting new hedgerow; Creation of riparian buffer strips; Farmland tree planting; Retention of winter stubble; Multi-species winter cover crop. Separately the minister also announced at the Balmoral Show that Northern Ireland's Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) will open for the fourth and final time in June this year. Farmers in Zone 4 (Co. Antrim) and all other farm businesses, that have not yet registered are invited to apply. According to Minister Muir there has been good uptake in Zones 1, 2 and 3, with over 90% of farms registered and over 400,000 fields tested for soil nutrients.
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
56% of septic tanks fail to meet required standard
More than half of 1,400 domestic septic tanks inspected by local authorities last year failed to meet the required standard. The Environmental Protection Agency said this is a real concern because failures pose a serious health risk to individuals and the environment. It is calling for greater and sustained enforcement effort by local authorities. There are nearly half a million septic tanks in Ireland. They are installed where properties are not connected to the public sewage system, to treat sewage from households on site. However, today's Domestic Wastewater Treatment Inspections Report from the EPA says many septic tanks are not built or not maintained properly, and more than half of them pose a risk to human health and the environment. Local Authorities inspected 1,390 septic tanks last year, focusing on those close to rivers and household drinking water wells. More than half, 56%, failed those inspections. Poor maintenance, septic tanks not being desludged, the discharging of effluent into ditches or streams, leaks, and effluent ponding were the most common faults. Household drinking water wells can become contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses from faulty septic tanks. People may be exposed to sewage if it surfaces in gardens or runs off into ditches and streams. Excessive releases of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause pollution in receiving waters. Local authorities issue advisory notices when septic tanks fail inspection, setting out what needs to be done to fix the problem and informing homeowners about remediation grants of up to €12,000 that are available. Last year 265 grants were awarded. The average amount was about €9,400. Michael Kehoe, of MK Environmental Solutions, a company in Wexford that replaces old septic tanks on restricted sites, says the grant application process is straightforward. "I operate a bit like a one-stop-shop. I do the initial assessment, the design solution, the sign off and certification, and the grant application paperwork for people. "You do have to wait six or seven weeks from the time you make your application before you get your payment back from the council. But overall, it's a fantastic system," he says. Despite this, 523 advisory notices were still open, indicating the problems had not been fixed, two years after householders had been informed. Also, a 17% increase in inspections between 2023 and 2024 resulted in a 24% increase in the failure rate. This might suggest a more extensive inspection regime by Local Authorities could uncover a possibly lower average standard overall. EPA Programme Manager, Noel Byrne, said there are three simple steps householders need to do. "They need to go down the garden and look around their septic tank and percolation area and see if there are any problems. They need to desludge, or empty out their tank, once every three or four years. "That would only cost them €300. And, if they have a drinking water well, they need to get it tested once a year. Doing those simple steps will protect their family and the environment," he said. "Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable," he added. The EPA said there was a shortfall in septic tank inspections last year in counties Limerick, Donegal, Wexford and Leitrim. Those Local Authorities must now make up these shortfalls in 2025. Official figures show 18% of septic tanks that failed inspection over the past decade were still not fixed by the end of last year. Dr Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said the number of unresolved advisory notices is unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue. He called for greater and sustained enforcement effort by local authorities and for them to take legal action where necessary.
