‘Love it, don’t trash it’: Freeway litter across metro Phoenix costs millions to clean up
PHOENIX – Contracted crews pick up litter from Phoenix highways five days a week, at a cost to taxpayers of more than $4 million in 2017.
Interior secretary’s Grand Canyon visit highlights need for funds to fix infrastructure
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE – Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke visited Grand Canyon National Park Saturday to bring attention to a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog at National Parks.
Off the beaten path: Crowded trails lead to frustration, unsanctioned treks
PHOENIX - Heavy Phoenix traffic is extending beyond paved roads. Gridlock on hiking trails is leading people off sanctioned paths and creating tension among users.
Potential buyer for Navajo Generating Station out, plant closure likely
WASHINGTON - The investment firm that was interested in buying the Navajo Generating Station broke off its pursuit this week, making the closure of the plant next year and the loss of hundreds of jobs appear more likely.
Southern Arizona wind farm investigated after death of bat, eagle
COCHISE COUNTY – State officials referred Red Horse II Wind Farm to the U.S. Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division in connection with the death of a federally protected golden eagle and a lesser long-nosed bat.
They also serve: 4,254 volunteers keep Arizona national parks humming
WASHINGTON - Last year, 4,254 people donated more than 200,000 hours of volunteer work at 16 national parks in Arizona, orienting visitors, maintaining historical collections, monitoring wildlife and more. And despite reports of friction at an East Coast park, Arizona staff and volunteers seem to get along fine.
Arizona’s first malt house saves water and supports local breweries
CAMP VERDE – Sinagua Malt, a sustainability focused startup, makes conserving water economically viable for Camp Verde farmers.
Phoenix takes steps toward a more pedestrian friendly downtown
PHOENIX – Phoenix widened sidewalks and narrowed the street on a block in downtown Phoenix in an effort to attract pedestrians and boost business.
Gray wolf faces new challenge: National Academies of Sciences review
WASHINGTON - The long-running fight over the Mexican gray wolf moved from southeast Arizona to a Washington conference room, where a National Academies of Sciences panel will try to determine if the Mexican gray wolf just another wolf, or is it a distinct - and endangered - breed of its own?
Helium producer leases land near Petrified Forest; environmentalists worry about harm to animals, water
A Canadian energy company plans to use newly acquired leases to expand its exploration for helium in northeastern Arizona. Environmentalists fear that could harm water supplies and endangered species, such as the yellow-billed cuckoo, that live nearby.
Grijalva, Bishop craft surprise deal to save fund for public lands
WASHINGTON - A House committee unanimously approved a surprise, bipartisan plan to save a popular land conservation fund Thursday, just weeks before the $900 million Land and Water Conservation Fund was set to expire, a victim of partisan feuding.
Report: Border wall hurts wildlife, people now, full wall will be worse
WASHINGTON - The existing partial border wall with Mexico has caused environmental damage, harmed border communities and failed to make the country safer, and a complete border wall would only make things worse, said a new report, which called for a pause on construction of a full wall.
