Conservation groups file appeal challenging Colorado CAFO water permits
Colorado officials are failing to require legally mandated water quality monitoring near concentrated animal feeding operations, allowing for widespread water contamination with animal waste, conservation groups allege in a new legal challenge to the state.
A Michigan dairy CAFO clash over manure digesters and clean water
A proposed dairy CAFO in mid-Michigan is fueling a heated fight over clean water, manure pollution and the future of industrial farming — as supporters tout jobs and renewable energy, and critics warn local rivers are already overwhelmed.
US EPA reapproves the controversial herbicide dicamba
In a widely expected move, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday reapproved the pesticide dicamba, an herbicide used on genetically modified crops including corn, cotton and soybeans that is prone to far-reaching drift and linked to crop damages.
Florida tests show pesticide in popular breads
Florida officials this week unveiled test results showing multiple breads commonly sold in grocery stores contained residues of glyphosate weed killer, a chemical scientists have linked to cancer.
In Iowa, many rivers and lakes improve briefly, then fall back into impairment
Following years of inaction on the Clean Water for Iowa Act, one lawmaker is looking to advance several smaller bills that would improve monitoring and strengthen permit requirements for large industrial farms.
Florida farm bill favors Big Ag over free speech, opponents say
Advocates for human health and the environment are pushing back against a Florida farm bill that would punish the spread of “false information” about agriculture, decrying a measure they say violates free speech rights and silences public debate about harmful farming practices.
Citing Parkinson’s risk, Pennsylvania lawmakers push for paraquat ban
A contingent of Pennsylvania lawmakers and Parkinson’s disease research and support groups on Wednesday called for the state to move quickly to ban paraquat, a weed killing chemical commonly used by farmers that scientific research links to the incurable brain disease.
Postcard From California: LA fire recovery stymied by insurance system ill-equipped for climate crisis
The fires that ravaged Los Angeles County last January destroyed or partially burned more than 18,000 homes and other structures and blanketed a like number in toxic smoke and soot. A year later, recovery is lagging: Fewer than a dozen destroyed homes have been rebuilt, and less than 1,000 rebuilds are on track for this year.
Colorado bill would curb uses of crop seeds coated with harmful pesticides
In a move that reflects mounting US opposition to a class of harmful insecticides linked to environmental and human health risks, Colorado lawmakers last week introduced a bill to curb the use of neonicotinoids.
“Time to change”- Iowa water quality scientist launches long-shot bid for state office
Three years ago Chris Jones was a highly regarded research engineer at the University of Iowa, where he directed stream pollution monitoring work and published details about the state’s dismal water quality in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Jones also authored a university-sponsored blog, where he regularly identified agriculture as the primary source of the state’s calamitous water pollution.