U.S. WEST COAST WATERS CLOSED TO BOTTOM TRAWLING - SEATTLE, Washington, March 10, 2006 (ENS) - The destructive fishing practice of bottom trawling has been banned in federal waters off the U.S. west coast from Canada to Mexico. On Wednesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration approved a plan developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to establish and protect more than 150,000 square miles of marine waters off the West Coast as Essential Fish Habitat. http://www.ens-newswire.com

STRONGER RULES TO GOVERN DUMPING OF WASTES AT SEA -  LONDON, UK, March 10, 2006 (ENS) - A new and more protective set of international rules governing the dumping of wastes at sea will take effect March 24. Based on the precautionary principle, the new rules also include the principle that the polluter must pay for damages. For the first time, a maritime treaty will govern storage of wastes in the seabed, as well as the abandonment, or toppling, of offshore installations. http://www.ens-newswire.com

NEW BALTIC SEA ACTION PLAN RELIES ON ECOSYSTEM APPROACH - HELSINKI, Finland, March 10, 2006 (ENS) - The nine countries bordering the Baltic Sea and the European Union have agreed on a common vision of a healthy Baltic and a set of strategic goals and ecological objectives that lead to achieving that vision. The plan is based on a proactive ecosystem approach instead of being driven by reactions to pollution events. http://www.ens-newswire.com

HAWAII LANDOWNER ASSESSED LARGEST SINGLE STORMWATER PENALTY - HONOLULU, Hawaii, March 9, 2006 (ENS) - The largest penalty in U.S. history for stormwater violations at a single site, by a single landowner, has been assessed against car dealer James Pflueger for damage to streams crossing his property on Kauai's north shore. Under a settlement filed in federal court today, Pflueger agreed to pay $7.5 million dollars in penalties for construction work done without Clean Water Act permits. http://www.ens-newswire.com

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES OIL, GAS DRILLING OFF FLORIDA COAST - By J.R. Pegg - WASHINGTON, DC, March 9, 2006 (ENS) - The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources adopted legislation Wednesday that would open 2.9 million acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida to oil and natural gas drilling. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 16-5, but opponents said the fight was far from over. They fear the development will harm Florida beaches.            http://www.ens-newswire.com