Water / Public News Service

Accurate climate and hydrologic data are essential to managing the Colorado River Basin and forecasting drought. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado officials urge congressional delegates to support public lands

On Tuesday, 20 Colorado officials sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation protesting six cuts to public lands management in the new tax …

Nearly 20% of New Mexico's Gila National Forest is protected under the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule. (newmexico.org)

NM conservationists promise to fight for 'Roadless Rule'

The Trump administration wants to overturn a conservation rule that had garnered more public comment than any in U.S. history up until that time…

April's Clean Water Lobby Day was held by Oregon Rural Action and the Stand Up to Factory Farms Coalition in Salem. (Oregon Rural Action)

Environmentalists: OR's new groundwater law too diluted to be effective

Environmental groups say Oregon's new groundwater law, meant to curb pollution, has been diluted to the point they can no longer support it. …

Northern pike spawning habitats require roughly a foot of water in grassy marshland. (Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Assoc.)

Green Bay collaborations help restore wildlife, wetlands

An effort to restore Northern pike habitat in Green Bay is also benefiting other wildlife species and raising local awareness about the effects of cli…

According to the Trump administration's 2026 fiscal year budget, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will cut 22% of its workforce, in addition to the workforce reductions that have already taken place. (Adobe Stock)

Federal impacts to ag conservation in WI 'complex'

Wisconsin's agriculture industry could see both wins and losses under the new federal budget. Climate change isn't a priority for the Trump …

The study found in 2024, Illinois beaches had potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least 25% of all days tested. (Adobe Stock)

IL beaches pose danger from bacteria presence

"Don't go into the water" is a warning Illinoisans may want to heed. A 2024 study released this week found all state-border beaches on Lake Michigan …

More than 85% of the land in Iowa is dedicated to farming. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Iowa farmers diversify crops for future success

Iowa is the nation's number one corn and soybean producer and federal polices are designed to keep it that way but more farmers are moving away from t…

Residents along the Guadalupe River say it will take years for the area to recovery from the deadly flooding event on July 4. (Photo courtesy Casey Claiborne)

Texans grieve victims of deadly Hill Country flooding

Tributes and memorials are pouring in for victims of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The storm stalled over the Texas …

Members of the Blackfoot Drought Committee, first formed in 2000, include local landowners, irrigators and outfitters, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. (Jason Olstad/Adobe Stock)

MT’s dry conditions test updated Blackfoot River drought plan

Following last year's historic drought in Montana and hot temperatures early this spring, the Blackfoot River is running at roughly 25% of normal …

The dam removal opened up more than 30 miles of new spawning grounds for steelhead and 15 miles of salmon habitat. (Ian Shive)

WA conservationists preserve 5 miles of lower White Salmon River

Conservationists are celebrating the protection of five miles of river frontage along the White Salmon River. The 174-acre site was purchased by The …

Beaver Dam analogs, designed to mimic natural beaver dams, can help restore and improve stream ecosystems. (Emily Luberto/National Park Service)

Beavers' dam expertise helps NM communities restore waterways

Sometimes called the original "ecosystem engineers," beavers and the techniques they use are guiding conservationists in New Mexico to protect scarce …

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says farmers in south Texas are suffering the most from water shortages caused by drought and failing infrastructure. (sawitreelyaon/Adobe Stock)

Without changes, TX could run out of water by 2030

Because of drought and failing infrastructure, the state of Texas will run out of water by 2030, according to the Texas Water Development Board…

The Buffalo National River is America's first national river. It's 135 miles long and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. (Phil Fitzgerald/Adobe Stock)

CAFOs banned from Arkansas' Buffalo National River but not other rivers

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, are banned from the Buffalo National River watershed. That's after the Arkansas Legislative …

Despite the area's beauty, a decades-old waste disposal site lies underwater around Bonneville Dam, leaching toxic levels of mercury and lead as well as industrial chemicals known as PCBs. (thecolorpixels/Adobe Stock)

Some fish around Bonneville Dam remain unsafe to eat

As outdoor recreation picks up for summer, a clean-water advocacy group reminds people that some fish around Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River are …

Fluoridation of drinking water has been considered one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Despite known Iowa nitrate risks, EPA focuses on fluoride

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration T…

Nutrient management planning has been around for more than 30 years, traditionally developed for farmers by private sector farm co-ops and agronomists. (Adobe Stock)

WI farmer education collab helps save money, environment

A joint effort is helping Wisconsin farmers protect water quality in their communities by learning more about how to prevent manure and fertilizer spi…

Christina Eastman, a fifth-generation farmer who is a co-founder of Farmers Against Foster Farms. Her farm is located next to a proposed CAFO site which has now been blocked. (Kendra Kimbirauskas)

OR farmers block construction of new factory farm

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Oregon News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Most U.S. states have CAFOs, typically ranging from 100 to 1,000 animals, although a few have fewer than 10. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

CAFO v. factory farm: What’s the difference?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Missouri News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Ohio has more than 74,500 farms, about half of which have livestock and the industry provides one of seven jobs in the state, according to the Ohio Livestock Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH farmers consider adopting 'regenerative agriculture' practices

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

Iowa judge rules in favor of 'Swampbuster' conservation protection measure

A District Court judge in Iowa has ruled in favor of an effort to protect the state's wetlands. The legal move protects a key environmental …

The Kickapoo River carries water to the Gulf of Mexico where contaminants like manure contribute to an oxygen-depleted area known as the

8-mile manure spill in Monroe County kills hundreds of fish

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Upgrades to the Arkansas Water Plan include structural analysis of flood mitigation infrastructure and programs, and proposed solutions to reduce the impacts of flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Funding approved for AR water projects

Arkansas lawmakers passed several bills during this year's legislative session to upgrade and improve the state's water and wastewater systems…

A single Abercrombie dairy facility will house 12,500 cows. Combined with the planned 25,000-cow Herberg site, these two operations will generate manure equivalent to that of a city of 1.5 million. (Adobe Stock)

ND mega-dairies draw criticism at Winnipeg news conference

North Dakota is facing growing opposition to two massive dairy operations planned near the Red River. Environmental advocates say the projects could …

The temporary permitting process at Hobbs State Park includes specific collection zones, boundaries and safety requirements. Only dead trees impacted by the 2024 storm may be removed. (Kit Leong/Adobe Stock)

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

As the cleanup effort continues at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area in Rogers, officials with Arkansas State Parks have authorized a temporary …

An aerial view shows the Mississippi River as it snakes through farmlands in Louisiana. The group American Rivers has just named it the nation's

Mississippi River tops 'most endangered' list amid FEMA uncertainty

The Mississippi River tops a new list of America's most endangered rivers, in part because federal officials propose shifting flood disaster costs to …

There are currently some 15,000 producing oil and gas wells in Weld County, not counting shut-in wells and temporarily plugged and abandoned wells. (Adobe Stock)

New alert system brings oil and gas spill data directly to Colorado residents

Over the past 12 months, 884 oil and gas spills were reported near homes in Greeley, Fort Lupton, Kersey, La Salle and Platteville, according to …

While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not declared glyphosate itself carcinogenic, some toxicologists have said the components in the pesticide Roundup, a herbicide which includes glyphosate, make it 50 times more toxic than glyphosate alone. (Adobe Stock)

Cancer 'Gag Act' sputters in Iowa, federal push continues

Groups advocating for clean, safe water are pushing back on proposals to revive a pesticide labeling law introduced last year in Congress which would …

Along Minnesota's Iron Range, taconite mining is one of the heavily scrutinized industries in the push to protect surrounding resources, like Lake Superior. (Adobe Stock)

How will Great Lakes region fare with diminished EPA enforcement?

Minnesota has its own carbon emissions reduction goals in place but under a changing federal Environmental Protection Agency, it is an open question …

A 2022 Colorado law bans the use of PFAS, or forever chemicals, but a new report has raised concerns about their continued use at oil and gas wells. (Adobe Stock)

Oil and gas companies fail to disclose toxic chemicals at Colorado well sites

In 2022, Colorado passed a law requiring oil and gas operators to let the public know what chemicals were being used underground. Chemicals are …

Advocates say completing the Ocklawaha River restoration project would benefit Florida's largest spring, Silver Springs, and the 20 lost springs of the Ocklawaha River. (Adobe Stock)

Ocklawaha River restoration hangs in balance as Florida budget stalls

CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story did not capture the correct scope of economic benefits identified in the Jacksonville University study…

The U.S. biogas industry grew quickly in 2023, adding 96 new projects, reaching a total of more than 2,251 active sites. (Wolfgang Jargstorff/Adobe Stock)

Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills

More than 20 groups are urging Michigan lawmakers to reject two bills they say would turn the state's farmland and rural towns into dumping grounds fo…

As part of 2021's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress allocated $4.7 billion for plugging orphaned oil and gas wells nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV law changes standards for plugging abandoned oil wells

There are more than 20,000 abandoned oil and gas wells scattered across West Virginia, putting communities at risk for water contamination and …

When asked who should be doing more to adapt to changing water resources, the top response from Wyoming residents surveyed was industries in the state, followed by local and state government officials. (T. Schofield/Adobe Stock)

Survey: 81% of Wyomingites think state should plan for water supply shifts

Wyomingites are split on what is causing climate change, but 86% of residents in the state agree it is happening, according to a new survey. Kristen …

Researchers found between 2010 and 2018, more than 60% of solar projects faced National Environmental Policy Act-related litigation. (Adobe Stock/AI)<br />

House budget bill would streamline environmental permitting in WI

The budget bill passed by the U.S. House and now under consideration in the Senate would reform environmental permitting in Wisconsin and nationwide…

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says being responsible with boat speeds protects other people on the lake, and can also help prevent shoreline erosion from large wakes. (Adobe Stock)

Boating season, and new safety requirements, arrive in MN

Memorial Day weekend is the start of recreational boating season in Minnesota. State officials are encouraged by recent trends in keeping people safe …

Florida has become the second state to officially ban fluoride in public drinking water. (Pixabay)

Florida’s fluoride ban sparks concerns over dental health

Florida's new law banning fluoride in public water systems has drawn sharp criticism from dental professionals, who cite decades of evidence …

The EPA oversees and enforces federal water-quality standards across the Great Lakes basin, helping limit industrial discharges and sewage overflows. (Paul Retherford/Adobe Stock)

EPA on pause: Who’s policing polluters in the Great Lakes State and beyond?

As the Environmental Protection Agency scales back enforcement because of staff shortages and new federal rollbacks, concerns are growing in Michigan …

The American Mosquito Control Association says almost 2,500 cases of West Nile disease were reported in 2024, with 165 deaths, a significant increase from recent years. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois officials find first instance of West Nile virus, say prepare now

The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford…

Proponents of concentrated animal feeding operations said they are good for business and are an economic necessity to keep operating costs down and prices for milk, cheese and meat products affordable. (Adobe Stock)

Pierce County residents say fight against CAFO is a fight for their lives

A group of Pierce County residents is awaiting a response to a petition for a contested case hearing for the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy to grow f…

In 2023, Indiana saw 80 drowning deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

As Hoosiers head to water for summer fun, experts warn risks are real

As Memorial Day kicks off summer across Indiana, Hoosiers will flock to lakes, rivers and pools, and safety should be on everyone's mind. William …

Rural Iowans want lawmakers to do more to protect the state's 236 lakes, and tens of thousand of ponds and other waterways, from manure runoff spilled by corporate agriculture operations. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Iowans call for clean water during summit

Rural Iowans are asking lawmakers to be more aggressive in fighting for cleaner water in the state's notoriously dirty rivers, lakes, and streams…

Workplace safety for rural Americans is among a host of topics addressed at the Rural Democracy Initiative's 2025 Action Policy Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Nebraskans want safer workplaces, higher child care wages

Health care wages, the consolidation of nursing homes, and clean water for Nebraska were among the priorities for attendees of this month's Rural …

A National Wildlife Federation poll showed Texas producers support increased funding for a voluntary, incentive-based program to help farmers and ranchers conserve grasslands. (cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds

A recent poll by the National Wildlife Federation showed Texas farmers and ranchers benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S…

Eastern hellbenders reproduce from late August to October, with females laying 150-450 eggs that males guard and oxygenate until they hatch, in 45 to 75 days. (Ondreicka/Adobe Stock)

Protecting PA's eastern hellbender on Endangered Species Day

It is Endangered Species Day, a reminder some plants and wildlife need protection, like Pennsylvania's eastern hellbender. It is the state's …

The Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative compared and evaluated 22 on-farm interventions, 12 of which were nature-based and 10 tech-based, and found the nature-based solutions provided superior results. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Investment group touts nature-based agriculture solutions to climate change

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported in 2017, a manure spill attributed to an animal feeding operation owned by Darryl Humpal killed 34,486 fish in Dry Run Creek in 2017. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa dairy farm manure spill kills 100,000 fish

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration On …

The Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget would eliminate $1.3 billion in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants and research, targeting climate and education programs. (Monica/Adobe Stock)<br />

Trump's proposed budget threatens Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts in PA

Environmental advocates have warned President Donald Trump's proposed budget could cripple restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Federal agencies have …

Alfalfa farms consumed a third of Colorado's entire Colorado River allocation in 2024, enough to supply the city of Denver for 38 years. (Adobe Stock)

More than 2 trillion gallons of Colorado River water tapped by alfalfa farms in 2024

As Colorado and other Basin states relying on the shrinking Colorado River work to reduce water use, new data showed just how much water is helping …

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