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Water and environmental news

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sits for an interview with Arizona 360 in his office at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 13, 2021.

Governor tours Arizona fires, calls for special session

Jun 10, 2021 Ducey wants the Legislature to approve extra money to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need
Lake Mead outside of Las Vegas.

Key reservoir on Colorado River expected to match record low

Jun 9, 2021 Dropping surface level at Lake Mead continues to drop
John Farley, director of fire test operations at the Naval Research Laboratory, tests the effectiveness of aqueous film-forming foam by spraying it on a gasoline fire. The test took place at the laboratory in Chesapeake Beach, Md. Oct. 25, 2019.

AZ Delegation members urge DOD to act on Tucson contamination

Jun 9, 2021 Letter cites chemical plumes emanating from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Air National Guard installation at Tucson International Airport
Cracked mud flats appear on the surface of Quitobaquito pond on July 18, 2020.

Community organization donates $100,000 for Quitobaquito Restoration project

Jun 8, 2021 The National Park Service will use its own funds and those from donors to make improvements to the cherished desert spring.
The Bureau of Land Management used prescribed burns across many of its properties for habitat improvement and to reduce the risk of severe wildfires.

Arizona wildfires force more evacuations, highway closures

Jun 6, 2021 About 150 firefighters are battling the blaze that has been burning out of control across 53 square miles
The Bonito Rock Fire has been burning on the Fort Apache Reservation.

Grim western fire season starts much drier than record 2020

May 22, 2021 Measurements show soil and plants are much drier, making trees and brush more likely to ignite and fire to spread.
A wind turbine.

TEP brings new renewable energy solar system online this month

May 4, 2021 With the addition of two new energy systems about 26% of TEP's power will be from renewable sources.
A scene from the Oak Flat campground, a site sacred to Apache peoples and the epicenter of lawsuits trying to block the development of a large copper mine.

Save Oak Flat Act has passed out of U.S. House committee

May 3, 2021 The act has passed through the committee along party lines and will next go to the House floor.
Navajo Nation family getting clean, drinking water at the local well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New report looks into water insecurity in tribal lands across Colorado River Basin

Apr 30, 2021 A new report shows when it comes to clean water, its race that best predicts the haves and have nots.
Old Main on the University of Arizona campus.

UA ready to have all purchased renewable power in May

Apr 27, 2021 The university says the move will cut greenhouse gases by a third and save millions in the long run.
Cracked earth in the Joshua Tree National Park, where the National Park Service says severe drought and warming temperatures will likely affect the populations and home ranges of many species.

White House announces group to address drought in the West

Apr 22, 2021 The interagency group will work with federal, state, local and tribal governments to tackle the water shortages.
Lake Mead, 2016.

US West prepares for possible 1st water shortage declaration

Apr 17, 2021 Projections say by late next year Lake Mead could drop to levels that could threaten the ability to generate electricity at Hoover Dam
Oak Flat, east of Superior, Arizona. A company proposes to build one of the world's largest underground copper mines at this location.

House subcommittee discusses bill trying to save Oak Flat

Apr 13, 2021 During the hearing, lawmakers and witnesses made their cases for or against the bill, discussing religious, environmental and economic issues.
A scene from the Oak Flat campground, a site sacred to Apache peoples and the epicenter of lawsuits trying to block the development of a large copper mine.

Arizonans attend board meeting of international company proposing copper mine at Oak Flat

Apr 12, 2021 Leaders in the effort to oppose the mining project ask shareholders to abandon the project and leave Arizona.
The Bighorn Fire burns in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness near Oro Valley on Saturday, June 6, 2020. The fire was caused by lightning on the evening of June 5, 2020.

How drought and constant fire are impacting Arizona

Apr 9, 2021 Conditions in the Southwest are getting drier, but there is some possibility for hope later this year.
Central Arizona Project water flows in a canal near Marana.

Tucson considers higher water rates for non-residents

Apr 6, 2021 Hearing set for June

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