The Stream, August 28: Judge Stops U.S. Clean Water Rule

The Global Rundown

A federal judge in North Dakota placed an injunction on the new federal Clean Water Rule, which is scheduled to take effect today. Extreme droughts, like the one in Central Europe this year, could become more common in the region. Hydropower development in India threatens habitat for the Tibetan crane, California met its water use reduction targets for July, and bottled water sales in the United States are on track to exceed soda sales in the next two years.

“The risk of irreparable harm to the states is both imminent and likely.”–Ralph Erickson, U.S. district judge in Fargo, North Dakota, in granting a temporary injunction exempting 13 states from the federal Clean Water Rule, which was set to take effect Friday. The rule, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, seeks to clarify which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. (Associated Press)

By The Numbers

31 percent Water use reduction in California in July, higher than the 25 percent reduction target mandated by the state government. Reuters

7 percent Growth in the amount of bottled water sold in the United States last year, meaning it will likely outsell soda by 2017. The Wall Street Journal

Science, Studies, And Reports

A severe drought in Central Europe this year, the worst since 2003, provides a window into the region’s future climate, according to a report from the European Drought Observatory. The area is also likely to see more extreme floods. Guardian

On The Radar

The construction of a 780-megawatt hydropower dam in India could destroy winter habitat for the Tibetan crane, a vulnerable species. Other hydropower projects planned for the region could compound the problem. Guardian

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek