Latest Water rights News
Land company says WA violated state law with $304,000 fine
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A southeast Washington land company is appealing a $304,000 fine over water use, saying the Washington state Department of Ecology acted unlawfully. The Department of Ecology fined Frank Tiegs LLC in Pasco for allegedly irrigating land from the...
Corn meal, whiskey help save Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch
TOWAOC, Colo. (AP) — Drought in much of the West, 22 years running, has struck Colorado’s Four Corners tribal lands with bitter force. This year, the Ute Mountain Ute’s celebrated 7,700 acre farm and ranch operation had to lay off half its workers as thousands of acres lay fallow. ...
Maui mayor recall signatures under review
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Officials are reviewing signatures from people seeking to recall Maui's mayor over COVID-19 mandates, affordable housing, water rights and other issues. Lead organizer Sheila Walker declined to divulge to The Maui News the number of signatures...
New Mexico lawmakers pressed to make water a priority
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — With a legal battle over management of the Rio Grande before the U.S. Supreme Court and more hot and dry weather in the forecast, New Mexico’s top water official said Wednesday that lawmakers have to provide enough funding to protect one of New Mexico’s most...
Tribes welcome infusion of money in infrastructure bill
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Tribes welcomed an infusion of money in the massive infrastructure bill to expand broadband coverage, fix roads and address water and sanitation needs, but they say real change will come only with sustained investment. President Joe Biden signed...
Nevada rancher cites `shroud of secrecy' at lithium mine
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada rancher suing to block construction of the largest lithium mine in the U.S. says the government’s environmental assessment of the project relies on a baseline set by a consultant for the mining company with a conflict of interest that trivializes potential harm...
New Mexico governor returns contribution, amends filing
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's campaign for reelection on Wednesday amended its October campaign finance report and returned $4,200 to a corporate contributor after a donation exceeded limits set in state statute. Opposition political committee Stop...
Farmer fined $304K over alleged water theft during drought
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A farm in southeastern Washington has been fined $304,000 by the Washington state Department of Ecology for irrigating 250 acres (101 hectares) without rights to the water. Frank Tiegs LLC in Franklin County has 30 days to appeal the decision to...
Audubon lawsuit over Quivira Wildlife Refuge water dismissed
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Audubon of Kansas over water rights at the Quivira Wildlife Refuge in central Kansas. Audubon sued the U.S. Department of Interior and other federal and state agencies in January, alleging...
Environmentalists secure water rights for Great Salt Lake
FARMINGTON, Utah (AP) — In an effort to help save the shrinking Great Salt Lake, environmentalists are attempting a novel idea: securing water rights for a terminal system. The Great Salt Lake is now nearly a foot below its last recorded level in 1963, alarming...
