FRANKFORT, Ky. - The fallout continues from the unauthorized dumping of fracking waste from West Virginia into a Kentucky landfill.

Nearly 2,000 tons of the low-level radioactive waste was moved to the Blue Ridge Landfill near Irvine, a violation of Estill County's host agreement with the solid-waste facility. The county's judge executive, Republican Wallace Taylor, voiced his frustrations Tuesday to lawmakers on the state's Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

"I've lost all trust in the landfill," he said. "It's all about money."

Taylor decried a lack of communication by state regulators, including waiting months to alert local officials that fracking sludge could be headed their way.

On Friday, the state's attorney general said there is insufficient evidence in the case to bring criminal charges. However, Taylor told lawmakers the county is considering filing criminal charges and noted concerns about exposure to the radioactive waste and the potential long-term impacts it could have on the watershed and people's health.

"You do not jeopardize my public," Taylor said. "If I felt in the first minute that my people was in any immediate danger I would have locked that landfill down."

Taylor confirmed that independent testing ordered by the county found no immediate concerns of heightened radioactive levels at the landfill. The county already has filed a civil lawsuit against the companies operating the landfill and those involved in moving the fracking waste from West Virginia to Kentucky. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has indicated it will seek significant civil penalties over the disposal.

Meanwhile, lawmakers, including Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, waited their turn Tuesday to say, "We don't want Kentucky to be a dumping ground for out-of-state waste. We don't want it to be a dumping ground for dangerous waste and we want to tighten up our regulatory protocol.

"I don't care if it cost money or not," Webb said, "because we've got to protect our people and our environment."


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Ballots are due back in the Montana Secretary of State's office later this week, as lawmakers decide
whether to override Gov. Greg Gianforte's veto of a high-profile funding bill that would reapportion money from the state's marijuana sales tax.

Gianforte vetoed Senate Bill 442 after the Montana Senate had adjourned last session, which left lawmakers no chance to override it.

It would fund veterans' services, provide permanent property tax relief for vets & Gold Star families, invest in county road maintenance, and support land conservation and habitat management.

Montana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Frank Szollosi said the legislation has received broad support inside and outside the capitol.

"That's why agricultural interests have supported 442," said Szollosi. "Counties have supported 442, and the conservation & sporting communities have supportted 442, and local governments."

Gianforte said in his veto note that using state funds for local responsibilities such as road improvements is a "slippery slope."

A veto override requires the approval of two-thirds of lawmakers. Ballots are due back in the Secretary of State's office on Thursday.

Twenty percent of the sales tax revenue would be used specifically for habitat conservation - but equally important, supporters say, is the money that would be spent to improve veterans' programs and rural infrastructure.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Mike Lang - R-Malta - said S.B. 442 would provide services for groups that have not historically shared common interests.

"I just want to bridge the gap," said Lang, "between recreationists and hunters, and private landowners."

Critics of SB 442 have argued the funding distribution formula isn't equitable, while supporters say it directs resources towards those who need them most.

The bill passed the Legislature with 130 of 150 votes in last year's session.

More than $11 million in federal grant money will go to improve land and water conservation in the upper Verde River Watershed and Big Chino Grasslands in north central Arizona.

The grant requires a 50% non-federal match, which The Nature Conservancy Arizona and partners will provide - bringing the total to $23 million.

Kimberly Schonek - Arizona water director for the conservancy - said the Verde River is one of the state's last free-flowing rivers, and calls it a "critical water supply" for not only the Phoenix metro area but for the biodiversity around the river, which starts just north of Prescott.

She said the conservancy in Arizona will be using the money to purchase easements from willing landowners to ensure land preservation and limit groundwater use.

"The landowner will continue to ranch and farm their property into the future," said Schonek, "but it'll restrict that ability for them to develop it, and what that does is keep the water use on the land what it is now."

Schonek said as Arizona thinks about its future, it's important to limit the amount of water use in what she calls a "critical area."

She added that her organization has been enacting conservation easements and other measures along the Verde River since 2012.

Schonek said no landowners are required to participate, but adds many find value in being compensated and reinvesting those funds onto their properties.

Schonek said over the last 20-years, with drought, they've noticed river levels drop - and have also seen land usage around the river change.

She added that while certain areas of the river have less flow, others are now experiencing more water due to the collaborative work the conservancy and agricultural partners have fostered.

"So the future looks good, so long as the community continues to engage, and everybody has a part to play," said Schonek. "And so we are really excited and optimistic to continue partnering with rural communities and agriculture in protecting this river for the future."

Schonek said it is exciting to see this level of investment as they've been working on conservation efforts for decades.

She added that this is by the far the largest amount of money that'll be dedicated to the Verde River.




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April is Earth Month, and North Carolina's climate justice groups are addressing the crucial roles of air, land, water and health in protecting the environment.

CleanAIRE NC and Sol Nation are working together on an Earth Day event to raise awareness about the environmental challenges confronting communities across the state.

Madison Fragnito, partnership manager for CleanAIRE NC, said they are taking a holistic approach and planning STEM activities, with a focus on vital areas like transportation, energy and land conservation.

"We're going to have a lot of activities that focus on plants, conserving land, air quality," Fragnito outlined. "We're going to have some activities related to environmental justice and storytelling, as well as recycling and how you can take everyday actions in your life to improve your commitment to sustainability."

The urgency of addressing these issues is underscored by the state health department, which reports concerning trends from rising temperatures and sea levels to deteriorating air quality and weather extremes due to climate change.

The Earth Day event is on April 20, at the Charlotte Museum of History, from noon to 4 p.m. ET.

Fragnito explained the event also aims to raise awareness about the organizations and the work being done to combat pollution and other environmental concerns. She added in the evening, they will show two short films highlighting environmental justice issues.

"There's kind of a strong community-building aspect," Fragnito pointed out. "Watching the film together, building that sense of community among attendees, and fostering connections and solidarity. Storytelling builds allyship, and it's intended to create an educational and guided dialogue space."

The screening is at the Charlotte Museum of History from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Fragnito emphasized the Earth Day celebration should inspire positive change and show more people how they can engage with groups and take action to protect and preserve North Carolina's natural resources.