With as few as 100 left, Arizona turtle wins endangered species status
WASHINGTON - It may not be surprising that an "aquatic desert" turtle faces long odds in life, but environmentalists and biologists still welcomed this week's endangered species designation for the Sonoyta mud turtle.
APS official: Red tape slows utilities’ efforts to prevent forest fires
WASHINGTON - When overgrown forests clash with energy infrastructure - devastating fire and power outages can follow. But current law puts up bureaucratic hurdles that make it hard for utilities to do the forest clearing that could prevent those fires, and then holds them responsible when fires break out, an Arizona Public Service official told a Senate committee Tuesday.
From desert wheat in Arizona to pasta in Italy
CASA GRANDE — Italian pasta chefs are known for crafting dishes that are as much local culture as they are food. What is less well-known is that Arizona’s desert durum wheat is a common ingredient in Italian pasta.
Plans to reduce number of Grand Canyon bison advance on two fronts
WASHINGTON - Plans to reduce the size of a destructive herd of Grand Canyon bison took another step forward this week, when a House panel approved a bill to require culling, just weeks after the National Park Service approved its own plan.
Flagstaff official says cities should use disasters to prepare for future
WASHINGTON - For Flagstaff, the wake-up call came seven years ago when the town suffered through the Schultz fire, a massive blizzard, floods, tornados and more.
Southwest Valley officials to cut salt cedar trees invading Gila River bed
BUCKEYE — Local leaders say salt cedar trees are invading the Gila River, causing flood andfire hazards and choking native vegetation and wildlife habitats. They say it’s time for the trees, planted a century ago to slow erosion, to make their final stand.
Advocates warn that cuts to EPA budget will be felt in Arizona programs
WASHINGTON - The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality got $315 million in funding for specific federal programs over the past five years - funding that could be endangered by proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency budget.
Phoenix, Tucson get middling scores in UN look at cities’ sustainability
WASHINGTON - Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said in his State of the City address this year that Phoenix had been "recognized for our leadership on sustainability," but a new study suggests it may have room to improve.
Conservation groups to continue Sonoran bald eagle protections
PHOENIX – Local conservation and environmental organizations plan to expand efforts to protect and grow Sonoran bald eagle populations after a federal court decision to deny the birds a spot on the endangered species list.
Court rejects bid to declare Sonoran Desert bald eagle endangered
WASHINGTON - A federal court has rejected a bid to declare the Sonoran Desert bald eagle an endangered species, saying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acted properly when it determined the birds were no different than other bald eagles.
Zinke recommends keeping all national monuments, downsizing some
WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Thursday he will not call for the removal of any national monuments but will recommend downsizing an unnamed "handful" of monuments in a report to the White House.
Arizona group wants $57 million Volkswagen settlement to go toward electric school buses
PHOENIX – A local grassroots environmental group gathered outside the Arizona state Capitol on Thursday to draw attention to diesel pollution. They want state officials to use the nearly $57 million the state will receive from the national Volkswagen settlement to replace diesel school buses with electric buses.
