Focus
In a first, U.S. declares shortage on Colorado River, forcing water cuts
The New York Times – August 16
With climate change and long-term drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal Bureau of Reclamation on Monday for the first time declared a water shortage at Lake Mead, one of the river’s main reservoirs. The declaration triggers cuts in water supply that, for now, mostly will affect Arizona farmers. Beginning next year, they will be cut off from much of the water they have relied on for decades. Much smaller reductions are mandated for Nevada and for Mexico across the southern border. But larger cuts, affecting far more of the 40 million people in the West who rely on the river for at least part of their water supply, are likely in coming years as a warming climate continues to reduce how much water flows into the Colorado from rain and melting snow.
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News
Southern California water officials declare supply alert amid worsening drought
Los Angeles Times – August 17
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which supplies water to some 19 million people across six counties and is one of the largest water distributors in the nation, on Tuesday issued a supply alert, calling on the region to conserve vital resources and prepare for continued drought. The move comes one day after U.S. officials declared the first-ever water shortage on the Colorado River, which is a key source of water for the region. The decision by MWD’s board marks the first time in seven years that the agency has issued an official supply alert — the third of four escalating phases in its water supply condition framework.
Ninth Circuit sides with EPA in decades-long Idaho wetlands dispute
Courthouse News Service – August 16
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority over an Idaho residential property the agency says contains protected wetlands. The dispute dates back to 2004 when Chantell and Michael Sackett purchased a lot 300 feet away from Priest Lake, one of Idaho’s largest lakes, and started to fill the property with sand and gravel as allowed by county building permits. EPA then issued an order declaring that the property contained wetlands federally protected by the Clean Water Act (CWA), and requiring removal of the fill or fines of up to $40,000 per day. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Sacketts had the right to challenge EPA’s determination that the areas were jurisdictional wetlands under the CWA, and the legal battle has waged on in the district court. Notwithstanding EPA’s prior decision not to enforce the prior order, the Ninth Circuit this week ruled that the Sacketts’ property shares enough pivotal environmental connections—the requisite “nexus”—with Priest Lake for it to fall under the purview of the CWA.
Steel company settles with Contra Costa County for $4M over hazardous waste violations
SFGate – August 18
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday announced a settlement with Pittsburg-based USS-UPI, fining the steel company $4 million for a series of hazardous waste violations dating back to 2017. County health investigators allegedly found more than a dozen violations at the company's facility involving the maintenance, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, including oil, plating solutions, and acidic and caustic solutions. The settlement includes $1.75 million in civil penalties, $1 million for environmental compliance, $250,000 for supplemental projects promoting training for California environmental agencies, and funding to support a local health program. In addition, USS-UPI is subject to a suspended penalty of $1 million to ensure future compliance and must also reimburse the county for its investigation costs.
Biden administration to review federal coal leasing, appeal injunction for oil leasing pause
The Hill – August 16
The U.S. Interior Department will review coal leasing on federal lands, officials said Monday, while also announcing a plan to appeal an order, issued during the Trump administration, that halted a moratorium on oil and gas leasing. The department indicated that while the appeal is pending, federal oil and gas leasing will continue as required by the current order. The Biden administration had implemented a pause on new oil and gas leases earlier this year based upon concerns about their significant greenhouse gas emissions and growing climate and community impacts.
EPA bans pesticide linked to health problems in children
Associated Press – August 18
The Biden administration on Wednesday said that it is banning the use of chlorpyrifos—a widely used pesticide long targeted by environmentalists—on food crops because it poses risks to children and farm workers. The EPA acted after a federal appeals court ordered the government in April 2021 to quickly determine whether the pesticide is safe or should be prohibited. During the Obama administration, the EPA had initiated a ban on the chemical, but the agency reversed that decision shortly after President Donald Trump took office.
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