The Natural State Initiative latest report recommends increasing access to outdoor recreation, which will help grow the state's economy.

The Natural State is home to 52 state parks. The report recommends expanding activities that include rock climbing and trails for cycling and mountain biking in the parks.

Arkansas Wildlife Federation Director Terri Lane said from a conservation standpoint, her group is concerned about the lack of discussion so far about protecting natural resources.

She said many sites are situated on important wildlife habitat areas. Mount Magazine State Park is a good example.

"It's one of the most biodiverse and fragile ecosystems in the state," said Lane. "So as part of this process, I think, really asking how are we planning new trails and added amenities in some of these areas in a way that preserves the habitat and protects sensitive plant and animal species."

Lane said the initiative is a worthwhile effort from both an economic and recreational perspective, as it helps Arkansans become more connected to nature.

The report notes Arkansas's outdoor economy grew by almost 23% in the last year. Lane said the initiative may add new job opportunities for Arkansans.

"And I know that's a big part of the initiative," said Lane, "to incubate new outdoor-related businesses and to create new employment opportunities through hospitality, guide services, outfitters."

Lane emphasized that the importance of a long-term maintenance plan for the financial viability of new amenities and the initiative's overall sustainability.

The advisory council is requesting Arkansans' input, feedback and recommendations.




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Wisconsin is ending the year on a high note in the clean energy space, with some notables like a first-of-its-kind energy dome and approval for the largest solar project in state history.

Together, the Columbia Energy Storage Project and the Vista Sands Solar Project are expected to generate enough energy to power more than 200,000 Wisconsin homes.

Oliver Schmitz, associate dean for research innovation in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said in a state importing about 70% of the energy it uses, projects like these are key to reducing the number.

"I think in terms of the priorities, it's not only to realize clean energy as an energy source for the entire population, but also to leverage the opportunities that come with the clean energy technologies," Schmitz contended.

Opportunities like using Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base to work toward clean energy projects, Schmitz added. Other areas include new careers and workforce, a reduction in pollutants contributing to climate change, and lower energy costs across the state.

Though Wisconsin ranks around the middle of the pack nationwide for clean energy development, the state has been able to maximize some federal initiatives in the past year to fund statewide projects. Schmitz believes the most important component in recent advancements is community involvement.

"Many of those, technology discovery is community driven," Schmitz pointed out. "People who consume energy, the communities out in the state are thinking about, 'What is the fit for our community?'"

He added now, the state would do well to focus on its baseload capacity or replacing coal plants with equivalent units of continuous energy. The state announced this month a second delay of Columbia County's coal plant retirement. Schmitz believes nuclear power technologies could also be considered.


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A nonprofit group is challenging permits for the construction and operation of fracking wells in western Pennsylvania's Penn Township.

A hearing set for Jan. 15 will examine whether the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lawfully issued drilling permits to Apex Energy.

Lisa Johnson, attorney for the nonprofit Protect Penn-Trafford, said it's been a yearslong fight to block the Drakulic Well project, for its proximity to homes and an elementary school. Johnson argued the case underscores the importance of Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment, which protects citizens' rights to clean air and pure water.

"We certainly will be advancing the argument that the DEP violated the Environmental Rights Amendment when it issued the permit," Johnson explained. "In particular, given its proximity to residents and children."

In 2023, the state partnered with CNX Resources, which acquired Apex Energy, to boost transparency in fracking, including chemical disclosures and expanded no-drill zones near homes, schools and hospitals, to better address health and environmental concerns.

Johnson noted findings from the Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh's three investigations into the impact of fracking operations on nearby residents revealed an increase in health risks for children and communities.

"They found that asthma was worsened, lower birthweight in the other study and then probably not surprising, but still shocking, is the increase in childhood lymphoma, childhood cancer, for children who live within five miles of an oil and gas site have a higher risk of cancer," Johnson outlined.

The group also pointed to a Harvard study, which found radioactive materials in the air within 10 miles of fracking sites. The Environmental Hearing Board meeting in Pittsburgh will involve the nonprofit group, the Department of Environmental Protection and Apex Energy. It will be open to the public.


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The latest Environmental Protection Agency data show over 11 million more people than in earlier estimates have the chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water.

This brings the total number exposed to toxic so-called forever chemicals to more than 143 million nationwide.

Julia Finch, director of the Sierra Club's Kentucky Chapter, said she hopes the incoming Trump administration protects federal drinking water standards.

She noted that most states don't have state-level drinking water protections in place for PFAS, and are instead dependent on manufacturers' willingness to stop using the chemicals.

"We know that in Kentucky in particular, PFAS aren't regulated," said Finch. "So, we don't have a drinking water standard right now - but we know we have plenty of industrial and commercial users of PFAS that are eliminating the toxic chemicals."

The findings confirm the presence of PFAS compounds at more than 2,300 new locations nationwide.

They come from tests of the nation's drinking water supply conducted as part of the EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which requires water utilities to test drinking water for 29 different PFAS compounds.

One 2020 study estimates more than 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in drinking water. Finch explained that Kentuckians can keep up on the issue as citizen-scientists.

"There's a way for folks to become involved, simply by sampling and testing water," said Finch. "We have a number of groups that will help to tap folks into that process, including Sierra Club."

Exposure to some types of PFAS chemicals have been linked to prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, as wells as reduced immune system function, and reproductive issues in women - according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In April of this year, the EPA classified two compounds - PFOA and PFOS - as hazardous substances. This prompted $9 billion in federal funding to eliminate them in water treatment facilities.