skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Pitching in to Make Sure a ‘Living River’ Runs Through NM Cities

play audio
Play

Monday, August 20, 2007   

Two of New Mexico's largest cities are raising money to maintain the healthy flow of two rivers. The cities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque have "river funds" to purchase water rights for the sole purpose of preserving the natural flows of the Santa Fe River and the Rio Grande. And now, Santa Fe residents can help, simply by checking a little box on their monthly water bill. Janine Johnston is the City of Santa Fe's river coordinator.

"Community members will find in their bill the ability to either give a one-time donation to this fund, or they can sign up monthly. A lot of people have signed up to give anywhere between $1 and $50 per month for the fund already."

The City of Santa Fe matches all the contributions to the fund by residents on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Residents can mark how much they want to donate on the payment coupon of their monthly City of Santa Fe utility bill.

The City of Albuquerque is looking into starting a similar check-off program in the coming months for the Rio Grande "Living River Fund." Mayor Martin Chavez says the fund is the first of its kind for a city of Albuquerque's size.

"It is a permanent fund of water to assist the ecosystem all along the Rio Grande. And, it's just a great partnership between urban and rural and natural environment."

The Rio Grande fund leases water from willing farmers to help preserve the river's flow. The Albuquerque / Bernalillo County Water Authority contributed $225,000 to the fund as part of a settlement to an ongoing lawsuit between cities, farmers and conservation groups.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Including the $236 million in federal funding for wildland fire management recently announced for 2025, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested a total of $1 billion to the cause, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

This month, the federal government announced funding for next year's wildfire management, totaling $236 million and experts hope threatened …


Social Issues

play sound

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Social Issues

play sound

California is home to more than 181,000 people who are unhoused, with 75,000 in Los Angeles alone, so the Los Angeles Food Policy Council will host a …


The California Department of Conservation is holding a public meeting online on Sept. 24, to update the public on its progress in plugging abandoned oil wells. (Alizada Studios/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Groups concerned about pollution and climate change are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a trio of bills dubbed the "make polluters pay" package…

Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Self-Care Awareness Month and the American Heart Association in Missouri is urging caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselve…

Menhaden are forage fish species and filter feeders, each capable of filtering up to seven gallons of water per minute. (Photo of female Osprey with Menhaden/TRCP)

Environment

play sound

In Virginia's waters, the decline of a small but critically important fish is causing growing concern among conservation groups and fishermen alike…

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

Environment

play sound

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Grist-Public News Service C…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021