Water News Roundup – March 24, 2010

KSL: Study says mercury in Great Salt Lake is global problem – Scientific studies are turning up answers to a baffling mystery about the Great Salt Lake. The new findings help explain why concentrations of toxic mercury in the lake are higher than anywhere else in the country.

Salt Lake Tribune: St. George, Provo-Orem growing fast – When it comes to growth, Utah is still whistlin’ Dixie, Coal Country is still singing the blues and the state, as a whole, is still humming lullabies.

Deseret News: Meetings set to explain groundwater treatment proposal – The first in a series of informational meetings about a proposal to pipe the treated byproducts of a groundwater cleanup project to the Great Salt Lake’s Gilbert Bay is scheduled for Wednesday.

Details about the meetings can be found on the DEQ’s website.

Also, Continue to celebrate World Water Week by increasing awareness!  There are some great articles and amazing photography on National Geographic’s website.

A concise info-graphic of water facts: 10 things you should know about water.

My fav: A photo collection of some of California’s water infrastructure that is at risk and downloadable water wallpaper! Ooo!

Technorati Tags: Gilbert Bay,Great Salt Lake,Groundwater,JVWCD,population growth,mercury

Water News Roundup – February 16, 2010

Deseret News:

Murdock Canal Trail finally moving forward – It’s been 14 years since Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson first started working on the Murdock Canal Trail project.

Ecology study ordered for sports complex plan – Panned by local environmentalists, a plan to build a multimillion-dollar sports complex along the Jordan River must first pass muster with ecologists, Mayor Ralph Becker’s administration announced Thursday.

Environmentalists seek alternatives to proposed bridge over Utah Lake – Western Utah County residents may have two future options to travel east: over land or over water.  About 25 people from the Utah Lake Sailing Club, including representatives from the Sierra Club and the Utah Lake Commission, met in the Utah Lake State Park visitors center Thursday night to discuss alternatives to a proposed bridge over Utah Lake.

KSL:

Despite poor snowpack, water supply still in good shape – Many in Northern Utah woke up to a surprise snowstorm Thursday morning and to headlines about the incredible snowfalls on the East Coast.  It’s ironic, then, that snowpack numbers in Northern Utah are grim and almost certain to stay below normal the rest of the year.

KSL investigates spending by Kearns Improvement District – The Kearns Improvement District serves more than 13,000 customers — providing clean water and maintaining sewer systems.

Salt Lake Tribune:

Project to reduce mercury in lakes gets good review – Toxic mercury makes the wipers in Newcastle Reservoir too dangerous to eat.  And, while scientists might not know why the popular fishing spot is so polluted, they think they might have a means of dramatically reducing the danger levels.

Bear Lake Commission may be eliminated – A loss of funding could force the dissolution of the 40-year-old Bear Lake Regional Commission.  The cross-state commission is comprised of city and county officials from Bear Lake-area communities in Utah and Idaho. It runs on about $100,000 annually, with both states providing about half the funding.

Technorati Tags: Kearns Improvement District,Utah Lake,Utah Lake bridge,Murdock Canal,Provo Reservoir Enclosure Project,snowpack,precipitation forecast,Bear Lake,Bear Lake Commission,mercury,Newcastle Reservoir,water quality

Water News Roundup – February 1, 2010

Suddenly lots of water news… Snake Valley, canal regulation, new legislation, etc.  Enjoy!

Deseret News:

Nevada top court reverses ruling on water deal –  A controversial water deal between Utah and Nevada — one that appeared destined for signatures just weeks ago — was upended Thursday after Nevada’s Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling on the matter.

Amendment aims to clarify water taxation – A constitutional amendment that would give tax-exempt status to water-producing property was sent on with a favorable recommendation Thursday morning in a House committee meeting.

Salt Lake Tribune:

Ruling may sink Snake Valley water deal – A top water official moved too slowly on a 1989 Las Vegas request for certain water rights, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday — a finding that could delay or even kill a $3.5 billion proposal to pipe water 300 miles from Snake Valley to Sin City.

Utahns speak with one voice: no water deal – Anyway you slice the numbers in a new poll, most Utahns say a proposed Snake Valley water-sharing agreement with Nevada is a bad idea.  About 60 percent or more of all men, women, Democrats, Republicans, independents, Mormons and non-Mormons oppose the deal, which appeared all but done before a Nevada Supreme Court ruling Thursday smashed into it.

Great Salt Lake’s mercury source can’t hide forever – Scientists may finally be closing in on the source of mercury fouling Utah’s Great Salt Lake.  The Environmental Protection Agency is funding an effort by a University of Utah researcher and others to scan the air over the lake in search of mercury and any hints about where it’s coming from.

Salt Lake Tribune – Editorial: Canal regulation – At 4,703 words, Utah House Bill 60 sets a record.

KCPW: Senator wants to legalize rainwater collection – It’s been a year since Utah Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins first introduced his rainwater harvesting bill, but he says people are still “a little jumpy” about changing some of the oldest laws in Utah, its water laws. But it’s a common practice that’s becoming more popular as interest in gardening and sustainability grows. Jenkins notes that currently in Utah, people storing rainwater are actually breaking the law.