Water / Public News Service

Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 20, 2024

Feds ask WY to recalculate cost of proposed West Fork Dam

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …

Arundo was initially introduced to the Western United States for erosion control and aesthetics, according to Watershed Management Group. (Adobe Stock)

Southern AZ nonprofit removes invasive plants to restore riparian areas

By Hunter Fore for Cronkite News.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

One year of nuclear weapons spending could fund an estimated one-third of the costs for climate change adaptation in developing countries, and solarize more than 16.5 million homes. (Hamara/Adobe Stock)

TN group echoes global call: No money for nuclear weapons

A Knoxville-based environmental group is raising awareness about increasing U.S. nuclear weapons spending and supporting this week's global effort to …

One cow can produce up to 264 pounds of methane every year, and it's estimated that livestock production is responsible for 30% of global anthropogenic methane emissions. (Adobe Stock)

How livestock farming fuels climate change

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

In 2019, Formosa Plastics settled a $50 million lawsuit after a plant in Texas dumped billions of plastic pellets into Lavaca Bay. (Adobe Stock)

Plastics production highlighted during Pollution Prevention Week

This is Pollution Prevention Week and advocates are renewing their call on one plastics manufacturer to clean up its act. An August demonstration at …

A proposed industrial complex in St. James Parish would be one of the largest plastic complexes of its kind. (Adobe Stock)

Plastics firm's expansion cited during Pollution Prevention Week

This is Pollution Prevention Week and advocates are renewing their call for one plastics manufacturer to clean up its act. An August demonstration …

Lead contamination poses serious health risks, especially to children, and has been linked to<br />developmental issues and organ damage. (Adobe Stock)

Indianapolis neighborhood fears ongoing lead contamination Superfund site

By Enrique Saenz for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News …

As it travels under the Straits of Mackinac, Enbridge's Line 5 diverges into two, 20-inch diameter, parallel pipelines. (ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

Indigenous water protectors protest aging pipeline

Indigenous water protectors and allies met at Michigan's Straits of Mackinac last week, to spotlight the dangers of the 71-year-old Line 5, deemed …

Iowa has provided more than $3.3 billion to communities to help finance water quality improvement projects over the years, according to the Iowa Environmental Council. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa seeks to remove dangerous lead water pipes

Iowa is getting federal help to eliminate lead water pipes in the state. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is working with local water …

Colorado residents and out-of-state visitors spent an estimated $10.8 billion on outdoor recreation within Colorado's river basins in 2019. About a quarter of this came from participants in water sports such as rafting. (Adobe Stock)

Polis taps nation’s strongest water-quality protections for 15 CO rivers

Nearly a year after the U.S. Supreme Court left key watersheds unprotected by the Clean Water Act, the Polis administration has designated new …

Practical Farmers of Iowa is offering landowners incentives to restore habitat to low-yield areas. (Adobe Stock)

Incentives for farmers work to restore Iowa habitat, protect soil

Practical Farmers of Iowa is looking for landowners who want to help restore natural habitat on their property, and get help doing it. It's part of …

Pew Research data show in 2021, 62.5 million Latinos resided in the United States in 2021, accounting for 19% of the total U.S. population. (Adobe Stock)

IL Latino communities advocate for a cleaner environment

A survey of 760 registered Latino voters found 87% of Latinos support projects to produce a cleaner, natural world. The poll, conducted in 10 states…

Seventy U.S. Supreme Court decisions and 17,000 lower court decisions have relied on Chevron, a 1984 case that set precedent and that the Supreme Court overruled in June. (Michele Ursi/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court decision could shape animal farm regulations

By Marlena Williams for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

A mega-dairy concentrated animal feeding operations can produce as much waste as a city without the benefit of an advanced sewage treatment system. (ArtemZakharov/Adobe Stock)

NM group seeks moratorium on new factory farms

By Lena Beck for Modern Farmer.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection reporting for the Modern Farmer-Public News Service Colla…

Human health risks of exposure to PFAS include growth effects on infants and children, obstacles to a person's ability to become pregnant, effects on the immune system and increased risk of certain cancers, according to the South Dakota Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources. (Adobe Stock)

Report urges 'more stringent' look at health risks of pesticides

A new report warned about adverse health, wildlife and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in states such as South Dakota…

In a statewide sampling effort, TDEC sampled 29 PFAS compounds in untreated water that supplies public drinking water systems. (goodluz/Adobe)

Report: Land application of toxic sludge making TN waters contaminated

The latest research reveals high levels of PFAS chemicals have been detected in Tennessee's soil and water, leading to demands for a statewide ban on …

The Sierra Club says hot water wastes water and energy if it takes time to warm it up, so people should ask themselves if they really need it for a specific task. (Adobe Stock)

Trying to conserve water, one faucet at a time

World Water Week is underway, as leaders forge discussions on the global water crisis. Supply issues aren't as urgent in North Dakota, but that …

New Mexico's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is the nation's only deep geologic long-lived radioactive waste repository. (DOE) New Mexico's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is the nation's only deep geologic long-lived radioactive waste repository. (DOE)

Feds hold NM meetings to decide expansion of radioactive waste site

Public meetings in New Mexico this week will gather input on proposed expansion of a nuclear waste repository. But watchdog groups are urging a …

Health effects from exposure toxic algae include skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, pneumonia and more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock/AI-generated)<br />

Toxic algae blooms are on the rise in WV, industrial farming a driving cause

Harmful algae bloom events are increasing, according to a recent analysis of EPA data from the advocacy group Environment America and have occurred …

Health effects from exposure to toxic algae include skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, pneumonia and more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock/AI-generated)<br />

Factory farms cited as one cause of rise in toxic algae blooms

According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency data, harmful algae bloom events are increasing across the country - including in Wisconsin…

If you live within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear power plant, officials warn it's important to be prepared in case an emergency occurs. Be sure to know the terms, what to do, and be prepared to follow instructions from emergency workers. Andrew Webb Curtis/Adobe Stock

MI environmental group applauds changes to Fermi 2 permit

Michigan environmental justice group Citizens' Resistance at Fermi Two did not get everything on its wish list. Still, the group is celebrating long-…

A new report found there were 458 Clean Water Act violations at Idaho sewage treatment plants in 2023. (VIEWFOTO STUDIO/Adobe Stock)

Pollution violations continued at ID sewage plants in 2023, report says

A new report finds pollution violations at wastewater treatment plants have been a problem in more than half of Idaho's communities. The Idaho …

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management considers an agricultural business a concentrated animal feeding operation if the farm meets or exceeds animal threshold numbers including 2,500 swine above 55 pounds, 55,000 turkeys or 700 mature dairy cows. (Adobe Stock)

IN farms have stricter rules for CAFO operations

A new study shows more than 1 million tons of animal waste is produced every year in the U.S. Consumers' desire for more animal protein and better …

The 2014 water crisis due to algal blooms had an economic impact of around $65 million. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Climate change contributes to shift in Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms

By Kathiann Kowalski for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

The industry group Illinois Pork Producers reported hog production and processing supports nearly 58,000 jobs in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Unsafe IL feed facilities harm workers, compromise public health

A new study shows more than 1 million tons of animal waste is produced every year in the U.S. Consumers' desire for more animal protein and better …

The latest version of the Farm Bill would incorporate precision agriculture technologies into water conservation and irrigation efficiency practices, incentive contracts, and conservation innovation grants, according to the National Agriculture Law Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Stalled Farm Bill could see Conservation Title changes

Progress on the new Farm Bill remains stalled as members of Congress argue over price increases for commodity crops and proposed cuts to the Supplemen…

Beaches are tested for bacteria once a week during the summer because of the Federal Beach Act. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers study fecal matter numbers on TX beaches

Researchers in the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University are studying ways to determine levels of fecal contamination…

Water conservation projects in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Wyoming are expected to save more than 111,000 acre-feet of water annually, enough water to supply approximately 447,000 people for a year. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado taps $5.6 million Bipartisan Infrastructure dollars for water projects

The Biden Administration is investing $105 million in water conservation and efficiency projects meant to shore up drought resilience, including more …

Lowry Ranch is important habitat for several Tier 1 species from the State Wildlife Action Plan, including the burrowing owl, northern leopard frog and swift fox. (Adobe Stock)

Aurora residents to continue opposition to fracking near reservoir, Superfund site

Aurora residents and environmental groups said they will continue to oppose fracking near the Aurora Reservoir, thousands of homes and 13 schools …

A lawsuit prompting a decision in federal court ordering a re-evaluation of the status of the Arctic grayling was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and Butte resident Pat Munday, with representation by Earthjustice. (Adobe Stock)

Montana federal judge rules for threatened Arctic grayling

A federal district court judge in Missoula has ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must reconsider whether to list Montana's Arctic grayling …

In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to PFAS. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Pesticide use could do more harm than good

A new report sounded the alarm in states like Utah for the adverse health, wildlife and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals known as "PFAS." …

Concentrated animal feeding operations often house thousands of cattle at a single location. (Lukas Vincour/Zv�rata Nej�me/We Animals Media)

Report: CA factory farms perilously close to your produce

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collab…

Algae blooms can clog up sewage and drinking water systems, create foul odors and hurt wildlife. (Rospoint/Adobe Stock)

Climate change is making harmful algae bloom events more frequent, experts say

By Aman Azhar for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Will Walkey for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

According to EPA< Indiana has more than 35,000 miles of rivers and streams, 100,000 acres of publicly owned lakes and reservoirs, and 50 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. (Adobe Stock)

IN summit seeks solutions to healthier waterways

The Annual Indiana Water Summit, coming up next week, will offer ideas on protecting the state's waterways. A 2022 report paints a troubling …

According to the Illinois State Water Survey, extreme rainfall and floods can adversely affect drinking water and wastewater systems, and cause foodborne diseases from sewage and population displacement. (Adobe Stock)

Excessive IL rains stir conversation on preparedness

Illinois generally sees its hottest and wettest months during the summer, and climate change is making them more intense. The University of …

The Washington County Water Conservancy District in Utah pays property owners a rebate of $2 for each square foot of grass up to 5,000 square feet, and $1 per square foot for more than 5,000 square feet that are removed and replaced with water-efficient landscaping. (Adobe Stock)

One Utah county looks to buy lawns to save water, residents' money

By Morgan Sjogren for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

Environmental groups say there is a need to reduce the use of such chemicals as PFAS and practice farming in ways that their use is no longer needed. (Adobe Stock)

Study finds high levels of PFAS chemicals in many pesticides

CLARIFICATION: Neonicotinoids may contain PFAS chemicals, but PFAS chemicals are not neonicotinoids. (12:30 p.m. MDT, Aug. 11, 2024) A class of …

$Most methane pollution comes from the drilling and processing of fossil fuels, and has been on the rise since the introduction of hydraulic fracturing technology. (Adobe Stock)$

Colorado, nation face public health, climate risks as methane pollution soars

Methane pollution is increasing at the fastest rate in decades, according to a new report, and that's making it harder to turn the tide on climate …

The Duncomb Bridge is one of 75 structures on the 25-mile-long Bronx River Greenway, which winds through most of the borough. (Bronx River Alliance)

EPA grants $500K to South Bronx groups for climate justice, mitigation

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the South Bronx $500,000 for climate resiliency planning, and local environmentalists say it couldn't …

According to EPA statistics, only about one-third of the nation's roughly 21,000 CAFOs have permits regulating their discharge of waste. (eyetronic/Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans get advice on dealing with growing number of CAFOs

Iowa has thousands fewer square miles than Nebraska but it has almost 3,000 more concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Opponents of the …

Federal tax incentives are being awarded to spur more carbon capture projects around the U.S., including the controversial Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline in the Midwest. But some environmental groups want to

Public can weigh in on proposed carbon pipeline in MN

Public hearings are scheduled this month as Minnesota regulators consider a permit for a proposed pipeline to transport carbon emissions from ethanol …

Researchers have long noted a correlation between scorching outdoor temperatures and violent crime. (ytutye/Adobe Stock)

NM advocacy group: more climate change infrastructure needed

A New Mexico advocacy group is reminding lawmakers the state must revise its approach to extreme heat, air pollution and the oil and gas industry if …

Food systems are responsible for about a third of global greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the United Nations. (Daniel Thornberg/Adobe Stock)

MN gets $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems

The Environmental Protection Agency is giving Minnesota $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems. The money will impact a large swath …

Wisconsin has roughly 800 miles of coastline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin boosts investment in coastal communities

Coastal communities across Wisconsin are getting a funding boost to bolster local economies, natural resources and quality of life. About $1.3 …

Two members of Ohio's congressional delegation, Democratic Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes and Republican Rep. Michael Rulli, are cosponsors of HR 8996, to improve rail safety for trains transporting hazardous materials. (Wikimedia Commons)

Ohio lawmakers call for passage of rail safety bill

Ohio lawmakers are asking Congress to address longstanding safety failures of class-one freight railroads, to prevent disasters like last year's …

A 2018 law in Washington state phased out fish pen farming of non-native species. (cascoly2/Adobe Stock)

Seattle conference inspires push for sustainable fishing in WA

A meeting on sustainable fishing in Seattle could inspire greater protections for Washington state's waters in Olympia. The State Innovation Exchange …

The Hanford site in Washington state contains waste from the production of plutonium for the two atomic bombs used on Japan in World War II. (Alison Jones, Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups criticize Hanford nuclear waste cleanup plan

A new agreement on plans for cleaning up nuclear waste at the Hanford site in Washington state is receiving pushback from environmental groups…

The Biden administration has released a Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, describing how programs funded by the Farm Bill should adopt practices to improve manure management and substantially reduce methane emissions from livestock, which contribute to climate change. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Farm waste ups dangers of climate change-related weather events

As the Atlantic coast braces for what could be an active hurricane season, environmental groups are warning about the dangers of agricultural …

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