Environment

Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 1:33pm

Hurricane season begins in the eastern Pacific

While hurricane season is still two weeks away in the Atlantic, Wednesday is the start of hurricane season in the eastern Pacific.

On average, more storms will form in the Pacific basin, but rarely make landfall. The ocean waters off the west coast are far to cold to sustain a hurricane, which requires sea surface temperatures of at least 80 degrees.

Additionally, the trade winds usually carry the storms westward, away from the coast. Rarely, storms can recurve back toward the coastline and make landfall along Baja California. Occasionally, they can bring heavy rain to southern California, but by then have lost their tropical characteristics.

Forecasters expect an average to below-normal year in terms of cyclone activity in the eastern Pacific.

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iVenture Event promises outdoor fun for the whole family

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 1:25pm

iVenture Event promises outdoor fun for the whole family

York County families are invited to come out to “iVenture”, a fun-filled event where parents and kids can enjoy the great outdoors while discovering new activities together. The event is free and will take place on Saturday, May 11, at Westminster Park located at 4000 India Hook Road in Rock Hill, from 10 a.m.

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Environmental History Walking Tour in Rock Hill

Submitted by John Cominsky on Friday, March 8th, 4:35 pm

You can join Rock Hill Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) for a guided walk on the Piedmont Medical Center Trail this weekend.

The event takes place Saturday, March 9 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Historical sites along the Catawba River will be discussed and participants will learn how the river has shaped our history and who we are today.

This free tour will be led by Hope Matthews, an interpretive naturalist. Information on upcoming outdoor education programs for a variety of ages and skill levels will be available.

The Piedmont Medical Center Trail at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk is a 2.25 mile riverfront trail that is handicap accessible and provides easy walking with beautiful views. All activity levels are welcome and the recommended age for this program is 12 and older.

Tour participants will meet at the picnic tables by the kayak launch at 9 a.m.

Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and br

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Sheriff's Office receives Palmetto Pride Grant

Submitted by John Cominsky on Friday, January 11th, 4:41 pm

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that on December 30, it received a $2,533 PalmettoPride Grant.

The grant will be used to purchase surveillance cameras to monitor problem areas throughout the county, the Sheriff's Office said.

PalmettoPride is a legislative initiative created to fight litter and help beautify South Carolina. It was created in response to citizens’ concerns regarding the amount of litter in South Carolina.

Originally established in 1999, by executive order under Governor Hodges, PalmettoPride has been on the front lines in the fight against litter for over 10 years.

Lancaster County Sheriff Faile said, “Once again we are pleased to be the recipient of a grant that will help us fund equipment that will improve the quality of service we provide to the county at no cost.”

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Mountain bike trails now open at Rock Hill Outdoor Center

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, 2:41pm

Mountain bike trails now open at Rock Hill Outdoor Center

The Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department officially announced Tuesday that the mountain bike trails at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center are now open and ready for use.

Varying levels of difficulty are available - easy, difficult, and most difficult – with colored signage to indicate the differing levels. Official say cyclists should begin at the trail head for the Piedmont Medical Center Trail and review the signage in order to plan the appropriate trail for their level of experience.

The trails branch off of the Piedmont Medical Center Trail from a common entry point and then split off based on level of difficulty.

Cars can be parked at the parking facilities at the trail head; there is no admission fee for the use of the trails.

The Piedmont Medical Center Trail is the 2 ¼ mile linear asphalt trail located along the banks of the Catawba River at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk.

Current hours for the trails

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Fish advisory issued for Lake Wylie

Submitted by Nick Needham on Friday, December 23rd, 10:47 am

LAKE WYLIE, NC (WBTV) - The N.C. Division of Public Health has issued a fish consumption advisory for largemouth bass caught in Lake Wylie, located in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties.

Elevated levels of PCBs have been found in largemouth bass caught in Lake Wylie. In addition, previous studies have shown that largemouth bass in all waters of North Carolina have elevated levels of mercury. As a result, the N.C. Division of Public Health (NCDPH) is issuing a fish consumption advisory for Lake Wylie.

Women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years), pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under age 15 should not eat any largemouth bass caught in Lake Wylie. To guard against mercury exposure and PCB exposure, NCDPH recommends that all other people should not eat more than two meals a month of largemouth bass from Lake Wylie.

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Know someone doing good for the environment? Nominate them!

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011, 11:21am

The State of South Carolina’s top honor for stewardship of the natural world will be awarded again soon and sponsoring agencies are putting out a call for nominations.

The Environmental Awareness Award recognizes South Carolinians who are doing extraordinary work on behalf of our environment. Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2011.

Each year the public is invited to submit nominations to the awards committee. This committee is made up of representatives from the state’s natural resource agencies, including the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Department of Natural Resources, and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

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