Far removed from the traditional livestock practices of the old west, industrial-like Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) now dominate U.S. livestock production. These CAFOs, commonly referred to as factory farms, are operations in which: (1) animals are kept and raised in confined situations; (2) animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations are maintained on a small land area; and (3) no grazing is allowed; feed is brought to the animals.
Read MoreThe loss of wetlands within the continental United States is not a new phenomenon; still, little has been done to slow the progressive loss of wetland habitats successfully. Since the 1780s, the continental United States has lost nearly 50% of its wetlands, and since 2009, the rate of wetland loss has increased by another 50%. Much of this historical loss was due, in part, to a misunderstanding of the significant roles wetlands play in filtering pollution, providing habitat for numerous plant and animal species, and providing natural flood control.
Read MoreGovernor Polis signed Senate Bill 24-005 into law on March 15th, 2024, which prohibits landscaping practices for water conservation. The bill prohibits nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species from being planted on applicable property.
Read MoreThe public trust doctrine’s foundation lies in English common law and was initially established to protect public commerce along navigable waterways. It has since been recognized in the United States in the landmark case, Illinois Central Railroad Company v. Illinois. In this case, the Court determined that all navigable waters in the United States and land under them are held in public trust by the government for the public interest. “Water is a ‘commons’ good that no single person government should keep for their own.”
Read More“It’s like Dr. Seuss down there,” according to Diva Amon, a scientist who studies the marine floor, describing the incredible sea life and geologic formations in an area known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), which may soon be opened to the first-ever deep sea mining of polymetallic nodules.
Read MoreThe Colorado River is in a state of crisis. This is not merely an ecological issue to concern environmental bleeding hearts, this is on track to deeply impact the lives of the 40 million Americans that depend on the Colorado for water and power.
Read More“Fire season's [now] year round,” according to the incident commander for the nearly 200-acre grass fire that arose in southern Boulder, Colorado in late March 2022. Dubbed the “NCAR fire” after its location near the National Center for Atmospheric Research, this blaze thankfully proved much less destructive than the Marshall fire that struck December 30, 2021, between Boulder and Denver, destroying over 1,000 homes.
Read More“Water banking” is an emerging practice in the west as water planners work to develop concepts to protect water resources in the face of long-term drought, increasing demand, and a changing climate. In summary, water banking is a voluntary, market-based tool that could facilitate water transactions between willing sellers and buyers. Through water banking, water rights owners are able to temporarily lease their water to those who are willing to pay a premium for it.
Read MoreOn Saturday, September 25, 2021, a mass of volunteers made their way to the Fall South Platte Stewardship Day, which The Nature Conservancy presented. This Stewardship Day involved cleanup and restoration efforts to the surrounding Globeville Landing Park and South Platte riverside, continuing a 47-year community undertaking caring for the South Platte River.
Read MoreSevere droughts and unprecedented decreases in average water flow have prompted Colorado officials to revaluate water consumption for the White and Yampa rivers. Both rivers flow into the already jeopardized Colorado River, which is experiencing historic low flow levels.
Read MoreThe Colorado River is over-appropriated. The demands that users place on the river far exceed its natural flow. This is primarily because of the Colorado River Compact of 1922, which determined how much water each of the seven basin states and Mexico will receive from the river annually and was based on data that showed uncharacteristically high water levels.
Read MoreWhen asked about Colorado River rights, most would think of the allocations among the Colorado River Compact, an agreement that divides Colorado River water between seven arid states and Mexico; however, a 2017 first in nation lawsuit aimed to establish individual rights on behalf of the Colorado River.
Read MoreAfter the other basin states made their concerns clear over the Lake Powell Pipeline, the Utah State Legislature stepped in to try to ensure water delivery to St. George. Recently passed legislation created the Colorado River Authority of Utah, a group charged with a mission to ‘protect, conserve, use, and develop Utah’s waters of the Colorado River System.” Although it is not uncommon for states to have such a commission, Utah is getting attention for the creation of its commission because of its timing, legislative rhetoric, and intent.
Read MoreIt’s not rocket science to understand Colorado relies on a steady water supply; it’s snow science. Most of Colorado is in either extreme or exceptional drought, the two highest possible rankings on the United States Drought Monitor.
Read MoreIn 1869, after almost a year of western exploration, geologist John Wesley Powell reported to Congress that there was not enough water in the west to support significant settlement.
Read MorePer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are common, non-naturally occurring chemicals that are used in non-stick pans, waterproof clothes, and firefighting foams among other every-day uses. While man-made chemicals in industrial and consumer products are nothing new, PFAS are unique in…
Read MoreClimate change is fundamentally reshaping the Arctic. For decades, there has been a progressive, year-by-year decline in both the thickness and extent of Arctic sea ice. This dramatic change not only impacts…
Read MoreFrom the Global Climate Strike to Fridays for Future to Extinction Rebellion, protests and movements have erupted around the world. Demands for…
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