Desert News, 7/22

July 22, 2024

photo of truss towers

7/3

‘Nothing will be protected’ — how California environmentalists killed a plan to fast-track ‘green’ energy

An attempt to weaken California’s signature environmental law in order to streamline utilities’ transmission projects failed in Sacramento, and energy companies feel a certain way about that.

7/15

As a Nevada Community Fights a Lithium Mine, a Rare Fish and Its Haven Could Be an Ace in the Hole

Another look at the Amargosa Valley/Rover Critical Minerals/Ash Meadows issue. Wyatt provides some context that’s missing from other stories.

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7/17

brown sand field

This national park has had 125-degree weather for two weeks straight

A little basic context over what it means to visit — or manage — the hottest National Park.

Harmful “algae” poses risks for Nevadans and their dogs amid summer heat

The Lahontan Reservoir in northern Nevada is seeing a bloom of potentially deadly cyanobacteria, spurred by nutrient pollution and the summer’s extreme heat. While the majority of cyanobacteria aqre benign, about 20 species secrete toxins that have killed animals who drink the water, including dogs taking a swim. As there’s no way to distinguish between safe and deadly cyanobacteria without a microscope and a PhD, it’s best to keep your pets and selves out of water with a cyanobacterial bloom in progress.

Native American tribes take action to keep Great Basin languages alive in Nevada

The educational system in the state of Nevada is finally working with tribal leaders to promote fluency in Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe languages. But it’s slow going, as it’s harder and harder to find Native speakers to serve as instructors.

brown rock formation under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

Colorado River riparian habitat restoration receives funding

A multi-year project by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands to address the impacts of invasive species along 384 acres of the Colorado River has become a fully funded project in the latest round of funding through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative.

Sonoran desert treasure: Kw’tsan National Monument

At the mouth of the Colorado River, a river tribe is pushing for a new national monument to protect their culturally important landscapes.

7/18

Mexican gray wolf captured, collared and released near Flagstaff in hopes of finding second wolf

A female Mexican wolf has been captured north of Interstate 40 near Flagstaff on Forest Service land. She was examined, radio-tagged and released near where she was found; the hope is that she’ll reveal the location of another wolf known to have frequented the area. Arizona and federal wildlife agencies say that both wolves will be relocated to eastern Arizona or New Mexico. That’s not sitting great with wolf advocates, who have long advocated that the wolvess’ legal territory be enlarged to include the Grand Canyon area.

Does Arizona heat have you feeling down? Researchers explore impacts of reverse seasonal affective disorder

“How weather impacts our minds and bodies is complex, but doctors say higher temperatures outside can lead to fatigue, irritability, throwing off your sleep schedule and social isolation as so many of us are cooped up indoors.”

7/19

This town outside of Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in Nevada

Mesquite, once a sleepy little town on the Virgin River, has doubled in size in the last few years.

Gemini solar project in full operation northeast of Las Vegas

A puff piece extolling the virtues of the 690-megawatt Gemini Solar project, which looms over the main entrance to Valley of Fire State Park.

Heat islands are making Vegas’ summer more extreme, research shows

Some neighborhoods in Las Vegas, primarily less aflluent ones with residents of color, can get 11 degrees hotter than the rest of Southern Nevada on hot days. It does’t have to be that way.

Storm damage seeds debate about Tucson's tree choices

A few tree species that are popular for Baja Arizona gardeners and city landscapers might not be the best choices for surviving strong summer storms. On the list of doubtfuls: the popular Desert Museum hybrid palo verde.

7/20

Zion National Park on south entrance: ‘Everyone is going to benefit’

The NPS is hopeful that a redesign in its main entrance, which just passed a critical planning milestone with the release of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement, will make it easier and safer to get in and out of Zion National Park.

7/22

Environmentalists have taken Burning Man to task. Here's their latest response.

Organizers touted their long-term climate plans in a regularly scheduled update call to report on the festival’s sustainability plan. Some attendees noted that organizers were silent on the mounting MOOP issue. Matter Out Of Place, a.k.a. abandoned trash, has been an increasing problem in recent iterations of Burning Man,

Proposed fee increase for Arizona Strip would give recreation areas a needed facelift

The proposed change, the first since 1999, would raise the current $2-a-day use fee to $5 and the overnight camping fee from $6 to $12.