The Gazebo Gazette

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST (GG) — The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, through its Beach Monitoring Program, has lifted the beach water contact advisories for Long Beach, Biloxi East Central Beach and Gulfport Harbor Beach.  Water samples at these stations show the areas have reached acceptable bacteria levels.

Again, the ADVISORIES have been LIFTED for:

  • Long Beach — the previously affected area is from Oak Garden Ave. east to Girard Ave. (Station 7A)
  • Biloxi East Central Beach — the previously affected area is from St. Peter St. east to Dukate Street. (Station 12B)
  • Gulfport Harbor Beach — the associated beach extends from 20th to Thornton Ave. (Station 9)

Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming should not occur during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

More information about the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program and the location of beach sampling stations is available here.  To be included in a public group list to receive beach advisories directly, text “MDEQbeach” to (833)259-4545 or follow MDEQ on Twitter: @MDEQ.

Additionally, Monday, August 11th, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality recognizes the members of the agency’s 2025 enHance Environmental Stewardship program.

MDEQ’s enHance program has awarded twelve organizations distinction as top environmental leaders during an annual workshop and awards ceremony, hosted by MDEQ. enHance is a voluntary stewardship program that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond the standard regulatory requirements.
The enHance Class of 2025 has eleven renewing members and one new member (see attached enHance member summaries), including:  Anel Corporation (Winona), Hol-Mac Corporation Plant #1 (South) (Bay Springs), Hol-Mac Corporation Plant #2 (Bay Springs), Hol-Mac Corporation Plant #3 (Bay Springs), Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, Ingalls Shipbuilding Division (Pascagoula), Siemens Energy, Inc. (Richland), Haworth, Inc. (Bruce), Keith Huber Corporation (Gulfport), Southwire Company (Starkville), Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, LLC (West Point), Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (Columbus) and Mississippi Army National Guard, 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Depot (AVCRAD) (Gulfport).
“The enHance program continues to be a powerful way for our agency to collaborate with Mississippi companies and communities in a non-regulatory role,” said Chris Wells, MDEQ Executive Director. “These members are working hard to be good environmental stewards—reducing waste, cutting pollution and advancing sustainability. We commend each of them for the difference they are making for Mississippi—not just today, but for future generations as well.”
Since 2009, enHance members have implemented projects that have produced the following impressive results:
  • The elimination of more than 1.7 million pounds of hazardous waste
  • The reduction, reuse, or recycling of over 1.6 million tons of solid waste
  • The conservation of hundreds of millions of gallons of water
  • Substantial reductions in annual energy use and associated costs
  • Significant reductions in air emissions
  • Total costs savings of approximately $12 million
enHance is a program that is open to manufacturers, local governments, institutions and other eligible organizations. The application process for the enHance Class of 2026 is open until November 30, 2025, and interested organizations are invited to apply.  More information on MDEQ’s enHance program can be found at enhance.ms.