Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells

July 1, 2009–Proposed legislation would repeal a provision allowing secrecy over chemicals injected underground during high-tech gas drilling — such as benzene and toluene, which are known to be toxic.

Beach Nourishment: Supreme Court To Decide Who Owns the New Sand

June 24, 2009–When governments or communities pay to replenish beaches along privately owned beachfront property — or create new beaches by trucking in sand — what does that mean for the landowners' waterfront rights and property value?

"Crime Scene Cleanup" in Kelly AFB Toxics Case

June 3, 2009–New evidence indicates the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry fails to protect communities from dangers such as the now-disappearing plumes of toxic groundwater carrying cancer-causing chemicals far beyond the Kelly Air Force Base near San Antonio, TX.

Cumulative Ocean Impacts Mapped Off U.S. and Mexican Shores

May 27, 2009–Researchers from California and Hawaii have analyzed 25 factors and developed a map that reflects the relative cumulative magnitude of their effects on the waters extending for about 250-350 miles off the shores of Washington, Oregon, California, and the Baja Peninsula.

Inside Story: A River Close To Home Flows Through His Work

May 4, 2009–

BookShelf: Man And Technology Combine To Plunder The Oceans

May 1, 2009–

EPA Moves To Cut Shipping Emissions at US Ports

April 15, 2009–Proposed emission standards in a proposed control area around the US coastline would cut sulfur in fuel by 98 percent, particulate matter emissions by 85 percent, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 80 percent from the current global requirements.

Water Utilities Get Huge Increase in Federal Funding

April 15, 2009–The Obama administration pumps up support for thousands of drinking water systems in the US with about $2B.

"Most Endangered Rivers" List To Be Released April 7

April 1, 2009–The conservation group American Rivers publishes an annual list of rivers endangered by dams, pollution, mining projects, and other threats they believe require urgent action.

Feds Revising Bush Offshore Energy Development Plan

March 18, 2009–After years of effort, and despite a last-minute gambit by the outgoing President Bush, US policy for offshore energy development is going back to the drawing board. DOI is extending by six months the public comment period on the country's 5-year plan.