Fresh, January 23, 2024: Proposed Bill Would Authorize $200 Million for Great Lakes Mapping Project

/
A bipartisan bill proposed by Michigan state representatives would authorize $200 million to conduct high-resolution mapping of lake beds in the Great Lakes.

Fresh, January 9, 2024: Hiring New Wisconsin DNR Secretary Is ‘More Difficult’ After String of GOP Blocks

/
After Republican lawmakers fired four appointees to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources board, Gov. Tony Evers is having a hard time filling its secretary role.

Fresh, December 12, 2023: In Indiana, Saving a Coal Plant Comes at the Expense of Groundwater

/
In western Indiana, a coal plant that was supposed to shut down in May may now run indefinitely, placing local waterways and reservoirs at risk.

Fresh, November 28, 2023: Proposed Land Swap in Wisconsin Could Set Harmful Precedent, Conservationists Say

/
Conservationists are protesting a proposed land swap that would see five acres of Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, turned into a golf course.

Fresh, November 14, 2023: Near Chicago’s Airports, Fears of Groundwater Contamination from Firefighting Foam

/
At Chicago’s Midway and O’Hare airports, local officials are concerned about groundwater contamination from past use of firefighting foam.

Fresh, October 31, 2023: Restored Wetlands in Southeast Chicago Offer Nature-Based Flood Protection

/
A $1.2 million restoration project on Chicago’s Southeast Side to restore close to 200 acres of wetland habitat — natural protection against flooding — is now complete.

Fresh, October 17, 2023: EPA’s Largest-Ever Great Lakes Cleanup Project Announced for Milwaukee

/
The EPA announced a $450 million project to remove close to 2 million cubic yards of toxic sediment from the Milwaukee estuary.

Fresh, October 3, 2023: Wisconsin DNR, Despite Pushback, Puts Waterway Health First

/
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources has changed an antidegradation policy to bolster protections for the state’s waterways.

Fresh, September 19, 2023: New Ruling Gives States and Tribes Greater Power To Protect Waterways

/
The Biden administration, reversing a Trump-era policy, reaffirmed state and tribal authority to protect waterways from energy developments.

Fresh, September 5, 2023: Drought and High Demands for Crops Drive Groundwater Overdraft in Minnesota

/
Drought and demand for french fries are pushing commercial and private growers to exceed Minnesota irrigation limits, causing groundwater shortages.

Fresh, August 22, 2023: Wetter, Hotter Minnesota Summers Jeopardize Sacred Manoomin

/
Greater rainfall in northern Minnesota is making the harvest of manoomin (sacred wild rice) more difficult for Ojibwe communities who depend on the crop.

Fresh, August 8, 2023: As Chicago Broils, Citizens and Scientists Study ‘Heat Island’ Effect

/
Coinciding with the summer’s extreme heat and citywide water pressure decreases, citizen and government scientists continue to map heat islands in Chicago.