Posts by shaina

The Department of the Interior recently announced a new rule aimed at guiding the balanced management of America’s public lands. The Public Lands Rule, implemented by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has significant implications for anyone concerned with the future of our public lands.   This new rule prioritizes a holistic approach to public…

For decades, our understanding of Earth’s river systems lacked a crucial piece of the puzzle: a comprehensive picture of the volume of water they hold and how it fluctuates. A recent study led by NASA researchers and published in Nature Geoscience is revolutionizing this field. This groundbreaking research provides the first global accounting of Earth’s…

On April 26th, 2024, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and other prominent figures participated in a signing ceremony that finalized agreements allowing the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to market a portion of their Colorado River water allocation to entities outside of their reservation.   This landmark agreement represents a critical step forward in implementing the…

Public water systems in California are taking legal action against manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in what could be a landmark case for the water industry. Orange County Water District and over a dozen other California water utilities filed a lawsuit in in early April against seven manufacturers of PFAS, including Dynax America…

PFAS contamination is a growing concern for agricultural operations, potentially impacting land use and posing risks to human health. Biosolids, a wastewater treatment product used as fertilizer, may be a source of PFAS contamination.   Texas farmers from Johnson County are suing Synagro Technologies, Inc., a biosolids provider, for allegedly contaminating their land with PFAS…

Tyco Fire Products LP agreed to pay $750 million to settle lawsuits from water suppliers across the US.   The settlement aims to resolve claims that Tyco’s firefighting foam, specifically aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), contaminated drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The agreement, if approved by the court, would also release claims against…

The Department of the Interior announced on Apr. 2, that up to $320 million is available under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda through the Bureau of Reclamation to assist federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations as they plan and construct domestic water infrastructure.   This funding opportunity is open to Tribes in the 17…

Great news for those working on climate resilience and ecosystem restoration in drought-stricken communities.  The Department of the Interior has announced a significant funding opportunity through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Up to $95 million is available for projects that bolster water resources, advance ecosystem health, and support community resilience against drought and other…

A nationwide settlement between 3M and public water suppliers (PWS) regarding PFAS (“forever chemicals”) contamination has been finalized by a US District Court.   This settlement offers financial assistance to PWS facing PFAS contamination in their water systems.  The agreement covers past, present, and future PFAS detection, providing a broader scope of support.  Payments are…

PRESS RELEASE: Draft management plan open for 90-days of public comment. The Bureau of Land Management and US Department of Agriculture Forest Service are seeking public input on a draft plan to guide management of the Bears Ears National Monument, incorporating considerable input from the Bears Ears Commission, the State of Utah, other cooperating agencies,…