Archive for July 2024

The battle against “forever chemicals” – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – has taken a promising turn with a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). These insidious pollutants, notorious for their persistence in the environment and harmful effects on human health, may finally have met their match in the form…

After a five-decade long struggle, the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona has achieved a monumental victory with the approval of its water rights settlement. This landmark agreement, reached through extensive negotiations with local communities, the Salt River Project, state and federal officials, and aided by a recent policy shift by Governor Katie Hobbs, ensures a secure…

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS). This standard is designed to improve the flood resilience of communities facing growing flood risks due to climate change and other environmental factors. Here are the key takeaways for those involved in infrastructure and construction projects: Future-Proofing Projects: FFRMS…

In a move that underscores the growing urgency to address climate change and empower tribal communities, Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, alongside Representative Derek Kilmer, have announced a substantial investment of $9.3 million for six community colleges in Washington State. This funding, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act’s NOAA Climate-Ready Workforce initiative, is…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $1.5 million investment in three organizations through the Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (PREPARED) program. This initiative aims to enhance the ability of grant recipients, particularly small, underserved, and Tribal communities, to generate and utilize data for evaluating program outcomes and making…