DRY MONTH MELTS PROJECTIONS ON COLORADO RIVER WATER SUPPLY
In April, federal forecasters predicted that the Colorado River would get nearly 97 percent of its average in-flow for the year, but dry weather reduced that prediction to 86 percent by the end of April, down to 79 percent at mid-May. Las Vegas Review-Journal; 5/19 <http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/May-19-Fri-2006/news/7487934.htm=> l
COLORADO SNOWPACK DOESN’T HOLD UP IN WARM SPRING
Snowpack levels near Boulder, Colorado, were well over 100 percent of normal a few weeks ago, but a warm spring has reduced those percentages to between 60 and 70 percent, and conservation measures will likely have to be taken again this year. Boulder Daily Camera; May 4 <http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/county_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2423_4672381,0=> 0.html
WEST SLOPE WATER PROFESSIONALS MEET IN MONTROSE
Upper Colorado River Commissioner Scott Balcomb believes the southwest United States drought could have far-reaching ramifications for the Western Slope. Montrose Daily Press, 5/20 <http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2006/05/20/local_news/1.txt>
COLORADO ORDERS HUNDREDS OF IRRIGATION WELLS SHUT DOWN
About 200 farmers in eastern Colorado will be left without water to irrigate their crops after the state engineer ordered 400 wells shut down to protect water supplies in the South Platte River. Denver Rocky Mountain News; May 10 <http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4687154,0=> 0.html
COLORADO CITIES STAKE OUT THEIR WATER CLAIMS
After Colorado water officials said they would reconsider an order that shut down 440 irrigation wells, three Front Range cities said they would block any attempt to restart the wells until they were sure that the action wouldn’t endanger their water supplies. Denver Rocky Mountain News; May 12 <http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4693386,0=> 0.html
COLORADO GOVERNOR DECLARES EMERGENCY FOR EASTERN FARMERS
Gov. Bill Owens’ declaration of emergency for the Eastern Plains farmers who were told Tuesday to shut down their irrigation pumps opens the door for federal aid. Denver Post; May 11 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3807779>
EASTERN COLORADO FARMERS ASK CITIES FOR EMERGENCY WATER
Farmers in eastern Colorado who recently lost their use of local water sources are on the verge of literally losing their farms if they don’t find some water for crops, and they have asked Front Range cities for an emergency supply. Denver Post; May 18 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3834801>
EASTERN COLO FARMERS STILL IN DIRE STRAITS AS LATEST WATER PLAN REJECTED
Eastern Colorado farmers fear that, after a last-ditch effort to secure emergency water from Front Range cities failed, they may have lost any hope to secure more water for this and future years, rendering their farms worthless. Denver Post; June 4 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3897597>
ROUNDTABLE LOOKS AT COLORADO WATER TRANSFER
The Arkansas Valley needs to look at strategies to make better use of agricultural water in order to soften the blows of water transfers to cities, an economics professor told the Arkansas Basin Roundtable. Pueblo Chieftain, 5/11 <http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1147336721/3>
=FED’S PLAN FOR PLATTE RIVER SENDS MORE WATER TO COLORADO CITIES
The Bureau of Reclamation’s preferred plan for management of the Platte River in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska calls for more flows for cities and more land protected for wildlife and would cost about $317.3 million, to come from the federal government as well as the states. Denver Post; May 24 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3857510>
DENVER WATER DEVELOPS NEW CONSERVATION PLAN
Denver Water’s new $400 million conservation plan, which aims to cut annual water use by 22 percent over the next decade, will expand existing programs and add new ones, including establishing new water efficiency standards for new homes, and refusing to hook up water to buildings that don’t meet a certain standard. Denver Post; June 4 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3897068>
COURT MAY BE COLORADO CITY’S ONLY OPTION TO PROTECT WATERSHED
Palisades city officials are right to wonder why the Bureau of Land Management is so determined to lease lands in the Colorado city’s watershed for energy development, especially when the federal agency has taken other sensitive lands off the auction block after significant objections have been raised. Grand Junction Sentinel; May 2 <http://www.gjsentinel.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2006/05/02/5_2_p=> alisade_edit.html
TWO COLORADO CITIES OPPOSE DRILLING IN THEIR WATERSHEDS
Palisade and Grand Junction city officials, say they aren’t opposed to energy drilling, but that don’t want it in the watershed that provides water to their western Colorado cities, and they are asking that federal energy leases be removed. Boulder Daily Camera (AP); June 2 <http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/state_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2419_4745094,00=> =2Ehtml
COLORADO RECOVERY PROJECT FOCUSES ON 4 UGLY FISH
Since humans began damming up the Colorado River, four native species of fish have borne the brunt of the impediments to their spawning routes, but increased releases from the Ruedi Reservoir into the Fryingpan River are planned to bolster pikeminnow, humpback chub, razorback sucker and bonytail numbers. Aspen Times; May 23 <http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20060523/NEWS/105230034>
COLORADO RIVER A WHITEWATER DREAM, RESCUER’S NIGHTMARE
The Upper Animas River that runs between Silverton and Rockwood in southwest Colorado has 24.2 miles of Class IV and V (extremely technical) rapids, but the remote canyon containing the river allows no radio communication and little access for rescuers. Denver Post; May 15 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3823353>
COLORADO GOVERNOR SIGNS RECREATIONAL-WATER BILL INTO LAW
– Legislation intended to clear up Colorado water law muddied by a 2001 law that made recreational water a “beneficial” use of water was signed into law by Gov. Bill Owens on Thursday; the new law imposes new limits on recreational water uses. Boulder Daily Camera (AP); May 12 <http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/state_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2419_4693080,00=> =2Ehtml
COLORADO WATER-QUALITY BILL FAILS BY 1 VOTE
A bill that would have expanded Colorado water judges’ authority to consider the effects that water transfers would have on water quality was voted down in the Senate late in the session, flushing all hopes of legislation that would have tackled poor water quality for residents who live downstream from the state’s largest cities. Grand Junction Sentinel; May 6 <http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/05/06/5_6_1a_water_=> quality_bill.html
PRESIDENT PROPOSES BILL TO EASE REGS FOR HARD-ROCK MINE CLEANUP
The National Mining Association and Trout Unlimited both praised the Environmental Protection Agency’s support of new legislation that would remove pollution liability for private companies that undertake cleanup operations of abandoned hard-rock mines in Colorado and other states. Denver Post; May 11 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3808545>
WYOMING OFFICIALS BEGIN TO WADE THROUGH PLATTE RIVER PLAN
The draft management plan for the Platte River is about 500 pages long, and Wyoming officials said it will take some time to review the document and determine how the plan meant to protect endangered species and meet the growing demand from water users in Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado will affect irrigators and other water users. Casper Star-Tribune; May 24 <http://www.trib.com/articles/2006/05/24/news/wyoming/a7872cb841d311298725717=> 800038269.txt
RIO GRANDE RUNS DRY, KILLING ENDANGERED MINNOWS
Hot and dry weather was more than officials were ready for and were unable to keep 4.7 miles of the Rio Grande from going dry, which killed 38 endangered Rio Grande silvery minnows. Albuquerque Journal; May 25 <http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/462824metro05-25-06.htm>
NEW MEXICO CITY DESPERATE FOR WATER
Las Vegas, N.M., depends almost entirely on surface water for its water supply, and this year with no snowpack in Gallinas Canyon, annual runoff is expected to be 14 percent of normal and the town is expected to turn to stored water much earlier than normal. Albuquerque Journal; May 7 <http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/458050nm05-07-06.htm>
NEW MEXICO COUNTY DENIES SUBDIVISION’S WATER REQUEST
After Santa Fe County commissioners voted 3-2 against extending county water service to a proposed 512-home subdivision, the attorney for the Santa Fe Canyon Ranch development said the developers would ask the New Mexico Engineer’s Office for permits to drill new wells. Santa Fe New Mexican; May 31 <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/44371.html>
N.M. DEAL TO SETTLE DECADES-OLD WATER FIGHT FLOWS TO FEDS
New Mexico officials will meet to sign a settlement agreement between Santa Fe County officials, non-Indian well owners, and the pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque, on the 40-year-old Aamodt water-rights lawsuit, but until the federal government pitches in some cash, the settlement won’t be complete. Santa Fe New Mexican; May 2 <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/43070.html > Feds say the deal cost too much. <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/43194.html>
NEW MEXICO WATER SETTLEMENT MAY NOT HOLD WATER
Northern New Mexicans should have few illusions about the true effect of the agreement signed yesterday between parties of the 40-year-old lawsuit over water rights in their area of the state, especially in light of the outright rejection of the settlement amount by two federal departments. Santa Fe New Mexican; May 4 <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/43191.html>
WATER-RIGHTS QUESTION STALLS N.M. NONPROFIT’S DEVELOPMENT
Commonweal Conservancy, a Santa Fe nonprofit, was formed in 2003 to purchase a 17,000 acre ranch and create a planned development to preserve 13,222 acres as open space, but the development lacks the 100-year water supply requirement needed for state approval, so the development has stalled. Santa Fe New Mexican; May 14 <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/43638.html>
MISSING THE FLOW: RESERVOIRS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE PREDICTED AT LOWEST LEVELS SINCE 2002
Across the Rockies, snow is melting fast or is already gone, while the snowpack in other Western mountain ranges remains at or above normal, according to the year-end snow report by the Natural Resources Conservation Service released recently. Santa Fe New Mexican, 5/6 <http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/43299.html>
CONSERVATION GROUP OFFERS SALIENT SOLUTION TO IN-STREAM FLOWS
Trout Unlimited has offered a market solution for in-stream flows that’s worth considering: groups can buy or lease water rights from willing sellers and then install more efficient delivery systems, leaving the saved water in the river while still transporting the rest of the water to the irrigator. Deseret News; May 21 <http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635208820,00.html>
UTAH’S TROUT HATCHERIES HIT BY WHIRLING DISEASE COST STATE MILLIONS
Most of Utah’s wild trout populations have been able to survive infections of whirling disease, but the parasite has cost the state millions of dollars when three state hatcheries became infected and had to be shut down to be decontaminated. Salt Lake Tribune; May 12 <http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3813553>
RIVER FLOWS IN SOUTHERN UTAH WILL PLEASE OUTFITTERS, RIVER RUNNERS
– Winter storms that left much of Colorado and Utah with above average snowpack missed much of the Colorado basin, but river flows in southern Utah will be higher than they have been in recent years, which means that the river running industry should have a good season. Deseret News; May 25 <http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635209744,00.html>
RIVER AT RISK: SAN PEDRO RIVER
The sleepy San Pedro River is a dense ribbon of life, weaving 140 miles through Southern Arizona into Mexico. Thick with willows, cottonwoods and nearly 500 species of wildlife, it’s nothing short of a national treasure. Tucson Weekly, 5/18 <http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=3Doid:82341>
SNOWMAKING ON ARIZONA PEAKS AN ISSUE IN FLAGSTAFF RACES
At a forum for city candidates sponsored by Native Americans for Community Action only two of the six candidates for city council and mayor said they opposed the contract signed by the city to sell reclaimed water to an area ski resort to make snow, and all acknowledged there was little that could be done to void the contract. Arizona Daily Sun; May 12 <http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2006/05/11/news/20060511_news_31.txt>
FLAGSTAFF DEVELOPMENT BUILDS UP, NOT OUT
Most of those who attended a hearing on a proposed development near Coconino Community College in Flagstaff that would blend apartments, lofts and single-family homes, all two and three stories high, agreed the housing is needed but some wondered if a long-term water supply exists for the Arizona development. Arizona Daily Sun; May 15 <http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2006/05/14/news/20060514_news_38.txt>
ARIZONA CITIES TURN TO ARTIFICIAL TURF ON PARK FIELDS TO SAVE WATER
There are more than 100 companies in the world that produce a synthetic turf that closely replicate the look and feel of natural grass, and Phoenix has joined a nationwide trend of putting synthetic grass on playing fields, and estimates it saved more than 1.5 million gallons of water by doing so on one sports complex. Arizona Republic; May 9 <http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0509syntheticgrass05=> 09.html
SOUTH ARIZONA TRIBE SETTLES WATER-RIGHTS DISPUTE
Tohono O’odham tribal leaders joined Gov. Janet Napolitano and Tucson officials in signing a water-rights settlement that the tribe hopes will make some of its land bloom again. AP, 5/10 <http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0507water0507.html>
STUDY SAYS NEVADA CITIES NEED $1 BILLION TO SECURE WATER SUPPLY
A study of the future water needs for the fast-growing Reno-Sparks metropolitan area in Nevada said it will take about $1 billion to buy water rights, deliver the water and finance the costs. Reno Gazette-Journal; May 4 <http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060504/NEWS10/605040362/1=> 016/NEWS
NEVADA LAWMAKERS, LOCAL OFFICIALS SPAR OVER WATER AUTHORITY
A special legislative committee was created to study water issues in northern Nevada, and lawmakers and local officials disagreed over whether a proposed regional water authority would have authority over existing water supplies or simply be charged with acquiring new water supplies. Reno Gazette-Journal; May 15 <http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060513/NEWS10/605130324/1=> 016/NEWS
KAYAKERS RUSH TO ANNUAL RIVERFEST IN NEVADA
Nevada and Reno officials teamed up in 2000 to improve a 24-mile stretch of the Truckee River and build a $1.5 million whitewater park around an existing island, a decision that is paying off for the community, as the urban riverpark draws thousands throughout the year. Las Vegas Sun (AP); May 12 <http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/may/11/051110263.html>
MINING PRESIDENT’S WATER REMARK SETS OFF HUGE DEBATE IN NEVADA
Nevada Mining Association President Russ Fields’ remark that water discharged during mining operations could be used to slake the thirst of the state’s urban areas caused a flood of criticism because the only feasible way for that to happen would be a wholesale rewrite of the state’s water law to make the mining water right a permanent one. Las Vegas Sun; May 14 <http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-other/2006/may/14/566664207.htm=> l
STUDY: QUAKE WOULD PUT DRINKING WATER AT RISK
Even a moderate earthquake could cause California’s aging levee system to collapse, flooding 400,000 houses and sending brine into the drinking water of homes across Northern California. Contra Costa Times, 5/12 <http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/14561883.htm>
WATER PACTS ENDANGER SALTON SEA, STUDY SAYS
A new study issued a dire warning if no restoration efforts are launched to save the Salton Sea, as the state prepares to release a draft proposal next month outlining possible solutions to an environmental problem that has plagued California for decades. Associated Press, 5/16 <http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/14589777.htm>
HOUSE COMMITTEE ADVANCES REVIVAL OF AUBURN DAM
A key House committee set the course for the possible revival of an Auburn dam, voting to include $3 million on a feasibility study for the huge public works project as part of a spending bill that generally accelerates flood control work across the Sacramento area. Contra Costa Times, 5/12 <http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/14561877.htm>
CALIFORNIA TAKES LEAD IN FISH FARM REGULATIONS
Under a proposed bill, fish farms would be banned without a lease from the state Fish and Game Commission, which would be required to adopt regulations governing the farms. Associated Press, 5/12 <http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/14562019.htm>
SALMON FISHING OPENS IN WASHINGTON, OREGON
State officials from Oregon and Washington have opened up a few areas for Chinook salmon fishing, including below Bonneville Dam. Twin Falls Times-News (AP); May 17 <http://www.magicvalley.com/news_other/news_idaho/?storyid=3D/dynamic/stories=> /B/BC_SPRING_CHINOOK_IDOL-
YELLOWSTONE PARK PLAN KILLS ONE FISH TO SAVE ANOTHER
Yellowstone National Park officials want to remove Yellowstone cutthroat trout from two lakes in the northwestern corner of the park and replace them with genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout. Billings Gazette; May 10 <http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/05/10/news/wyoming/25-cutthroat=> =2Etxt
AFTER 3 DECADES, STILL NO PUSH TO REBUILD TETON DAM
Three decades after the Teton Dam failed in eastern Idaho, a new federal study shows some want the dam rebuilt to provide water during drought years but that others never wanted it in the first place, and still don’t. Deseret News (AP); June 4 <http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635212792,00.html>
WAL-MART, TIMBER CO, ENVIROS AND FEDS PROTECT IDAHO RIVER
A plan between Wal-Mart, Potlatch timber company, Trout Unlimited, the Trust for Public Land and federal land managers to protect the St. Joe River in northern Idaho is a model plan in the changing West. A column by two prominent conservationists. Idaho Statesman; May 25 <http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060525/NEWS0503=> /605250330/1001/NEWS
=FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS IDAHO’S SALMON PLAN VIOLATES SPECIES ACT
Members of Idaho’s congressional delegation said they were concerned that U.S. District Court Judge James Redden’s latest ruling threatened the huge water-rights agreement between the state and federal government and the Nez Perce tribe over Snake River water. Salt Lake Tribune (AP); May 24 <http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3858344>
MONTANA OFFICIALS SEARCH FOR FUNDS FOR FISH HATCHERY
— Sales of a $5-warm-water fish stamp in Montana that were to fund the operations of the state’s new fish hatchery have fallen woefully short of the $500,000 needed, and some supporters are blaming the too-elaborate design of the hatchery for the shortfall of funds. Great Falls Tribune; May 11 <http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060511/NEWS0=> 1/605110302/1002
MONTANA STUDENTS KAYAK THEIR WAY TO A DEGREE
Three Montana students spent their last semester in high school riding world-class rapids around the world as they “studied” at the World Class Kayak Academy. Missoulian; May 12 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/12/news/mtregional/news06.txt>
BURNS PROPOSES TO OPEN ROADS TO WILDERNESS DAMS IN MONTANA
U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns’ Bitterroot National Forest Dam and Reservoir Maintenance legislation would grant easements and rights-of-way to 17 wilderness dams to the owners of the dams for maintenance, inspection and operation, but critics of the bill said it would allow 100 miles of new roads to be built in the national forest in Montana. Ravalli Republic; May 3 <http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2006/05/03/news/news02.txt > <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/08/news/local/news02.txt>
MONTANA SENATOR’S DAM LEGISLATION COULD USE SOME FINESSE
The irrigation dams that lie within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness that Montana Sen. Conrad Burns wants to provide motorized access to were built long before the invention of motorized equipment, and one has to wonder why propose this bill now. Missoulian; May 14 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/14/opinion/opinion1.txt>
ENERGY COMPANY PITCHES PLAN TO MOVE MONTANA TROUT
As part of its federal licensing agreement for the Cabinet Gorge Dam in Idaho and Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana, Washington-based Avista Energy wants to capture brook and brown trout in a nearly 2-mile stretch of the East Fork of the Bull River in Montana, and move them to the main Bull River several miles away. Helena Independent Record (AP); May 8 <http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/05/08/montana/01mt20060507221.txt>
GUIDE, LANDOWNER FACE OFF OVER FISHING ACCESS IN MONTANA
A Seattle businessman who recently bought 86 acres of land on the Beaverhead River in Montana said he’s found trespassers on the property each time he has visited and has strung barbed wire and plastered “no trespassing” signs to deter anglers from crossing his property to access a popular fishing spot, but one Montana guide said he’s been using the route for 20 years. Missoulian (AP); May 7 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/07/breaker/doc445e167f8a05b096300=> 618.txt
MONTANA JUDGE RULES FOR LANDOWNERS IN STREAM ACCESS CASE
The Mitchell Slough in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley is not a natural waterway, ruled District Court Judge Ted Mizner, and thus the landowners do not have to allow public access to the stream, but the landowners acknowledge that the decision will probably be appealed. NewWest.net; May 11 <http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/8371/C8/L8>
OPPONENTS SAY DEVELOPMENT THREATENS MONTANA TROUT STREAM
An Oregon developer has already begun the groundwork for a subdivision on a parcel of land that lies at the confluence of Rock Creek, a blue-ribbon trout stream in Montana, and the Clark Fork River, but Missoula County officials said until permits are sought, they cannot do anything to regulate the plan. Missoulian; May 4 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/04/news/local/news02.txt>
MONTANA TELLS DEVELOPER TO STOP MINING GRAVEL
An Oregon developer’s work on creating a 5-acre pond in what he hopes ultimately will be a 36-unit subdivision at the confluence of the Clark Fork River and Rock Creek, a renowned trout stream in Montana, violated the state’s open-pit mining laws and the state is also investigating whether operation violated water-quality laws. Missoulian; May 10 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/10/news/mtregional/news03.txt>
REALTORS WEIGH INTO TO RIVER SETBACK RULES IN MONTANA
There is no statewide law in Montana that homes be built a specific distance away from the banks of rivers and streams, although some counties have adopted such requirements, and attempts to do so in the Bitterroot Valley has anglers and Realtors tangling over regulations proposed there. NewWest.net; May 18 <http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/8554/C8/L8>
MONTANA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TEAM UP ON RIVERBANK PROJECT
Using federal and nonprofit grant money, the students of Flathead High and Kalispell Junior High schools, along with federal and state agencies, have teamed up to stop erosion of a riverbank in Montana’s Flathead County. Missoulian; May 18 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/05/18/news/mtregional/news02.txt>
PERMANENT DRAWDOWN OF MONTANA RESERVOIR BEGUN
The initial phase of the $100 million cleanup of Milltown reservoir has begun as officials began to empty the reservoir, which will soon expose the toxic mining sediments, in an effort coordinated with peak runoff to help scour the river bottom and flush out the heavy metals. Missoulian; 6/2 <http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/06/02/news/top/news01.txt>
NO ONE WANTS TO FISH FOR A TROUT ON SUPPLEMENTS
A new study from the University of Missouri that shows that feeding creatine, a body-building supplement, to rainbow trout makes them stronger swimmers, and some have suggested that anglers may pay a premium to fish for such creatures, but as any true fisherman knows, we don’t need more creatine-enhanced trout, we need more wild ones. New York Times; June 2 <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/02/opinion/02fri4.html?_r=3D1&oref=3Dslogin>
MONTANA FORUM FOCUSES ON SHARING WATER WITH ALBERTA
The St. Mary and Milk rivers flow between Montana and Alberta, and residents of Montana turned out to discuss how a 1921 agreement on sharing the water could be made more equitable; a similar public hearing will be set in Lethbridge to give Albertans a chance to provide their views. Great Falls Tribune; May 24 <http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060524/NEWS0=> 1/605240307/1002
HIGH COURT RULES DAMS MUST MEET STATE WATER-QUALITY RULES
A U.S. Supreme Court decision on a Maine case that said operators of dams must comply with state water-quality rules in order to qualify for a federal license will affect about 2,500 hydroelectric dams on 500 rivers in 45 states. New York Times; May 16 <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/16/washington/16scotus.html?_r=3D1&oref=3Dslo=> gin
BLM: MONTANA MINE WATER CLEANUP SHORT ON FUNDS
The state and federal government needs to come up with another $770,000 per year over the next decade to cover the cost of cleaning water runoff from a former gold mine in Montana, and one option to trim costs is to install wind turbines to power the project. Great Falls Tribune; May 31 <http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060531/NEWS0=> 1/605310301/1002
DECISION ON CBM WATER IN WYOMING DELAYED
Wyoming Environmental Quality Council members say they need more time to determine if they can regulate the flow of water released from coalbed methane production onto private land, further delaying a standoff between environmental groups and ranchers and the industry in the Powder River Basin. Casper Star-Tribune; May 12 <http://www.trib.com/articles/2006/05/12/news/wyoming/c9dad787d68a90c88725716=> b00835ca8.txt
WATER PROBLEMS HOLD UP GAS PRODUCTION IN WYOMING
Wyoming’s most prolific natural gas field, the Powder River Basin, isn’t producing at its optimal rate because about 3,000 coal-bed methane wells are turned off due to water issues, specifically increasing pressure from Montana, which is imposing strict water quality standards for discharged water. Casper Star-Tribune; June 2 <http://www.trib.com/articles/2006/06/02/news/wyoming/3bc7cde64fb953148725718=> 0007f7849.txt
HOUSE SUPPORTS PROTECTION FOR ISOLATED WETLANDS
In what conservationists are calling a “huge victory for clean water,” the House of Representatives voted in May 222-198 to accept an amendment to the FY 07 Interior/EPA Appropriations bill that will force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop using a policy that has put millions of acres of wetlands, streams, lakes and ponds at risk across the nation. ENS, 5/22 <http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2006/2006-05-22-09.asp#anchor3>
EPA UNVEILS ASSESSMENT OF U.S. WADEABLE STREAMS
NEWS RELEASE: What’s the state of the union’s streams? EPA set out to answer that question in a just-completed, multiyear study of wadeable streams across the country. EPA, 5/5 <http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/cb=> 45c4cf6be401a3852571650057cf97!OpenDocument
U.S. BEACHGOERS AT RISK FROM POLLUTED WATER, GROUP SAYS
An environmental group said it will sue the U.S. government for failing to protect millions of beachgoers from contaminated water. <http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=3D10536>
EARTH’S DWINDLING WATER SUPPLY
It has been estimated that around 90% of disasters-hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, etc.-are water-related. Could the world be headed for a major water crisis? Is any part of the earth immune to water supply problems? The Real Truth, 5/11 <http://www.realtruth.org/articles/0403-edws.html>
LACK OF SNOWPACK POINTS TO ANOTHER DRY YEAR FOR ALBERTA
Alberta Environment water monitoring technologists said snowpack this year was about the level it’s been for the past six years, with the exception of last year, and said they expected another year of drought. Edmonton Journal; May 2 <http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=3D4996530a-71dd-4b4=> 9-bff9-4ef23218d38d&k=3D46884
ALBERTA’S STRICT WATER POLICY A GOOD START
Energy companies that want to use fresh water in their operations in Alberta must now prove that they have explored every feasible alternative before they are allowed to use fresh water, and Environment Minister Guy Boutilier said he’s even prepared to make oil companies pay for water if that’s the best way to encourage conservation. Edmonton Journal; May 11 <http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=3Da0192a92-=> 3244-43c0-a51a-ad4f19256511
ALBERTA SETS RULES FOR COALBED-METHANE DEVELOPMENT
One-third of the 44 recommendations made by an advisory committee on regulations of coalbed methane development in Alberta focus on water, including the protection of aquifers, and Energy Minister Greg Melchin said 32 of the 44 recommendations will be implemented immediately. Edmonton Journal; May 12 <http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=3D387bb5af-855c-4c0=> 9-85c8-8896285ec020&k=3D39167
ALBERTA OFFICIALS CONSIDER TOUGHER FLOOD PLAIN RULES
In the wake of disastrous floods in recent years, Alberta officials are considering new flood plans that would preclude people who build homes and businesses inappropriately in floods plains from getting any financial aid from the government if their homes or businesses are damaged by floods. Calgary Herald; May 8 <http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=3D3410930f-34c1-4e54-=> ae68-a574234df9b0&k=3D84661
BRITAIN FACES WORST DROUGHT IN A CENTURY
A British utility might have to bring water into London by sea if a drought gripping the south of the country produces an emergency in the capital, a company official said. CBC News, 5/16 <http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/060516/w051636.html>
INDIA, IRAN AGREE TO COOPERATE IN WATER SECTOR
Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz has said bilateral agreement between India and Iran has been reached to facilitate technical and scientific exchange in the water sector. Deepikaglobal.com, 5/16 <http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG4_sub.asp?newscode=3D139667&catcode=3DENG4&s=> ubcatcode=3D
CHINA NEARS COMPLETION OF MASSIVE THREE GORGES DAM, PLOTS MORE DAM-BUILDING
Construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam — the Three Gorges Dam in China — may be completed as soon as May 20, nine months ahead of schedule. The $22 billion dam on the Yangtze River will eventually flood the homes of some 1.3 million people. Evacuees worry they’ll be placed in villages with no farmland or jobs. Perhaps they could become dam tour guides — Three Gorges has become a popular tourist site, attracting 220,000 gawkers so far this year. While construction on the dam is likely to finish this month, it won’t be fully operational until 2009. By then, construction may have started upriver on an even taller dam across Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river gorges, famous for its beauty. That dam could displace up to 100,000 people, many of them ethnic minorities living in their ancestral homeland. Environmentalists are outraged, and likely will be for a while — 11 more dams are planned upriver from the Three Gorges. AP, May 8 <http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/14529219.htm>
CHINA STRUGGLES TO STOP ITS LARGEST LAKE FROM SHRINKING
Lake Qinghai, holy to ethnic Tibetans, is shrinking, hit by declining rainfall and desertification partly caused by overgrazing. Some also blame global warming. <http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=3D10534>
