Public Water Wells Often Contaminated

May 26, 2010–A new US Geological Survey report indicates about 105 million US residents drink water from contaminated systems, often at pollutant concentrations that potentially pose a human health risk.

Unidentified Wetlands Owners in 22 States Get USDA Funds

May 26, 2010–About 75,000 acres of wetlands in 22 states and Puerto Rico will split $175 million of Natural Resources Conservation Service's Wetlands Reserve Program funding, but recipient properties or owners will not be identified. 

EPA Makes Water Polluters A Little Easier To Track

May 12, 2010–A new Web tool summarizes by state the number of smaller dischargers whose actions have been reviewed, the number that had a serious violation of their permit, and the number against whom a state took enforcement action.

Russian Olives and Tamarisk Get A Little Federal Love

May 12, 2010–A new report by the US Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, other federal agencies, and university experts says the water-hogging reputation of the two species has little merit, but found that effects on wildlife are mixed.

Gulf Dispersants Called Trade Secret

May 5, 2010–The exact ingredients of the chemical mixture being sprayed on and pumped into the spreading BP oil spill are secret, even though some are rated toxic and may endanger the health of Gulf residents and ecosystems.

New Mapping Tool for Stories on Marine Protected Areas

April 14, 2010–NOAA's new tool makes it easy to identify and find basic information about the 1,637 US marine protected areas.

NOAA Is Soliciting Public Comment on Aquaculture Policy

April 14, 2010–Six public listening sessions in April and May will provide input for the agency's draft national policy on marine aquaculture products.

Maryland Legislature Threatens Law Clinic For Defending Chesapeake Bay

April 7, 2010–In the face of public outrage (and press coverage), the legislature partially backed down — but kept a requirement that the law clinic report to the legislature on whom it represented.

Private Water Wells Commonly Contaminated in Canada

March 31, 2010–A University of Alberta researcher publishes his findings online March 15, 2010, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Senate Trio's Climate Bill Said To Hide Info on Fracking Poisons

March 24, 2010–A March 23, 2010, Greenwire article reports that the draft Kerry-Lieberman-Graham climate bill may include language to keep potentially toxic ingredients from gas drilling secret from the public whose health may be harmed by them.