Posts by shaina

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…

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have been awarded $2 million in federal funding to address critical maintenance and modernization needs at their salmon and steelhead hatcheries. The funds, part of a larger $240 million investment from the US government, aim to empower tribal nations by supporting hatcheries vital for fulfilling treaty-reserved…

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…