Environment
2,429 earthquakes, 11 Steamboat Geyser eruptions, floods: Here’s Yellowstone’s 2022 year in review
Since 2017, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory has produced annual reports that contain an abundance of information about a variety of topics — ground deformation trends, earthquake activity, and upgrades to monitoring networks, for example. In addition, there is information about research results and new discoveries, like the recognition of the new thermal area near Tern […]
Deep Idaho snowpack extends winter gate closure for Westside Ranger District
Heavy winter snowfall is delaying the planned opening day of gates at the Westside Ranger District, which had been scheduled for May 15. The Westside Ranger District is one of seven districts within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Instead of opening the gates following the winter closure, employees are monitoring road conditions to determine when it […]
Next forest supervisor selected for Boise National Forest
Brant Petersen will serve as the next forest supervisor for the Boise National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service announced in a Friday press release. Brant replaces Tawnya Brummett, who left the position in January 2023. “His diverse experience in forest management, recreation, hazardous fuels treatment, wildland fire and leadership will help the Boise National Forest […]
A climate cash spending spree is about to get underway in Washington state
More than a year before Democrats in Congress approved a massive climate law last year, Washington state enacted the nation’s second cap-and-trade program that will provide billions of dollars for carbon reduction and environmental justice projects. The funding is something climate activists have been seeking for years — if not decades — and state leaders […]
How do climate, tech and population growth change how Idaho uses water and energy? Researchers got $24M to find out.
Researchers in Idaho expect to receive $24 million in funding to undertake a new study of how climate, population and technology affect water and energy use in the Gem State. The bulk of the funding — $20 million — comes from an award from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or […]
Idaho legislative committee hears from opponents of BLM’s proposal to protect public lands
An Idaho legislative committee that was created to be a check on federal power met Tuesday, taking testimony against a proposed federal rule on conservation and public land management — amid drought, wildfires and other drastic changes in the West. The Idaho Legislature’s Committee on Federalism heard from a prepared lineup of witnesses that included […]
Clean energy, at what cost? BLM to decide what’s next for Idaho Lava Ridge Wind Project
After closing its 90-day comment period for the Lava Ridge Wind Project’s draft Environmental Impact Statement, the Bureau of Land Management must make revisions to release a final statement in the coming months in order for the project to move forward. The Lava Ridge Wind Project would consist of 400 turbines up to 740 feet […]
Utilities regulator takes public comments on Idaho Power land transfer along Snake River
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will take public comments on a proposed land transfer during a telephonic hearing Thursday, May 11, at 11 a.m. Mountain time. Idaho Power has applied to transfer 1.09 acres of land on Ritter Island, south of Hagerman, to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, the commission said in a […]
‘Your brain doesn’t like it’: Scientists investigate air pollution’s effect on mental health
In the 1990s, residents of Mexico City noticed their dogs acting strangely — some didn’t recognize their owners, and the animals’ sleep patterns had changed. At the time, the sprawling, mountain-ringed city of more than 15 million people was known as the most polluted in the world, with a thick, constant haze of fossil fuel […]
New Idaho Department of Water Resources order would force 900 groundwater users to curtail use
A new water methodology order issued April 21 by the director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources has left many eastern Idaho farmers and ranchers unsure if they will be able to water their crops and irrigate their land this year, said Jennifer Ellis, whose family has been involved with agriculture in Bingham County […]
Treasure Valley owners should take these steps to protect horses from West Nile virus, other diseases
The Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District announced in a press release Tuesday steps Treasure Valley horse owners can take to protect their animals from mosquitos and the diseases they carry. Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District director Jim Lunders said West Nile virus is present each year across southwest Idaho, and horses are particularly susceptible to […]
75 sites in Idaho will give away 20,000 free seedlings to celebrate Arbor Day. Here’s how to get yours.
To celebrate Arbor Day, the Idaho Forest Products Commission will give away 20,000 Idaho-native tree seedlings on Friday that were grown at University of Idaho’s Franklin H. Pitkin Forest Nursery, according to a UI press release. Treasure Valley residents are also invited to attend an Arbor Day celebration Friday at the Idaho State Museum. The […]