Archive for September 2024

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has taken a significant step towards mitigating flood risk in the state by adopting the first-ever statewide flood plan. This comprehensive plan provides a detailed assessment of flood hazards and offers recommendations for effective flood control strategies.   The plan incorporates the findings of 15 regional flood plans, providing…

The Galveston Bay area faces a significant threat: toxic flooding. This occurs when floodwaters carry harmful chemicals from nearby industrial facilities, posing risks to the environment, public health, and infrastructure.   A new website provides valuable insights into toxic flooding vulnerabilities in the region. Developed through the collaboration between the Environmental Defense Fund, the Galveston…

The Nevada Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), a valuable initiative designed to safeguard and restore agricultural lands and wetlands within the state.     ACEP offers two distinct programs: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). ALE focuses on preserving cropland and grassland…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new round of funding for water infrastructure projects through its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This program offers low-interest loans to communities for investment in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.   The $7.5 billion announced will be used to fund projects across…

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a draft record of the decision authorizing the resumption of mining operations at the Stibnite Mine in Central Idaho. This decision, if finalized, would mark a significant milestone for the gold, silver, and antimony mining industry in the United States.   The proposed project, spearheaded by Perpetua Resources, involves…

Over the past two years, surveys conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have highlighted a pressing need for $1.2 trillion in water infrastructure upgrades over the next two decades. Aging infrastructure and climate change are driving these costs.   The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) provides some funding, but it falls short of…