Feds consider lifting ban on uranium mining around Grand Canyon
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration may reverse a 20-year moratorium on new uranium mining claims on 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon, a move that environmental groups said could lead to long-term harm to water quality and wildlife in the region.
Forest bill aimed at cutting wildfires called ‘giveaway’ to loggers
WASHINGTON - A divided House on Wednesday approved a bill that supporters said would boost wildfire prevention efforts, in part by excluding forests from environmental requirements.
Community groups call on Ducey to ‘commit to action on climate change’
PHOENIX — Leaders of environmental, business and faith groups on Tuesday urged Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to take on climate change by embracing solutions such as renewable energy and battery technology.
Bats doing well in Arizona, despite being battered elsewhere
WASHINGTON - Bats can rest easy in Arizona. Literally. The state's climate appears to have helped hold off, for now, a disease that has afflicted bats during hibernation in at least half of the country.
Lawmakers, advocates blast ‘misguided’ Grand Canyon fee hike plan
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers and advocates are condemning proposed fee increases at the Grand Canyon and 16 other parks, a move the National Park Service said is badly needed to fund billions in backlogged maintenance projects.
Plan keeps most of Sonoran Desert National Monument open to shooters
WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Land Management on Friday recommended closing 53,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert National Monument to recreational shooting, but keeping the remaining 443,000 open to shooters.
Three Arizona military bases now being tested for water contamination
WASHINGTON - The Air Force will begin testing the groundwater at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for contamination from dangerous chemicals in firefighting foam that was used at the base, according to the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center.
Losing Lake Powell’s quagga mussel invasion battle, but trying to win the war
PAGE – Ecologist Mark Anderson still sometimes tears up thinking about March 3, 2013, when an adult quagga mussel was discovered — the definitive sign of a possible aquatic apocalypse — clinging to a boat hauled from the waters of Lake Powell.
EPA scraps Clean Power Plan, but utilities still vow lower emissions
WASHINGTON - Arizona utilities and regulators said they plan to continue working toward the lower carbon emission goals that had been set in the EPA's Clean Power Plan, even though federal officials said this week that they are scrapping the program.
Interior Department may expand recreational shooting on federal lands
TUCSON — Target shooting, hunting and fishing could be expanded on public lands under a federal proposal drawing attention in Arizona.
Arizona forestry department sends 150 firefighters to California to battle wildfires
DEER VALLEY – Arizona firefighters are helping to battle northern California wildfires that have burned more than 222,000 acres, killed more than 30 people and left hundreds missing, state officials said.
House advances bill to limit president’s creation of national monuments
WASHINGTON - A House committee gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a Republican bill that would sharply curtail the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to order the creation of national monuments.
