Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY)

Western Reservoirs That Supply California Fall To Record Low Levels

"The Colorado River’s largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have declined to their lowest combined levels on record.
Researchers say the new low underscores the urgent need to cut water use in the seven states that depend on the river."

Source: Los Angeles Times, 07/22/2026

Colo. Cut $11.4M in Penalties for Oil Firms Filing Fake Cleanup Data

"After a nearly two-year inquiry, Colorado’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) approved deals allowing firms owned by its largest oil and gas companies to avoid the majority of assessed penalties for falsified data submitted by their contractors."

Source: DeSmog, 07/20/2026

As Data Centers Flood Wyoming, Water Pollution Fouls Good Faith

"The contamination of a Cheyenne water system by a Meta data center underscores the worries residents have about more than two-dozen data centers that are and could be consuming Wyoming’s energy, water and landscape."

Source: WyoFile, 07/20/2026

Tribal Reps Say They Were Left Out Of Monument Reduction Decisions

"Two coalitions of Native American tribes emphasized Tuesday that they weren’t consulted before President Donald Trump downsized Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by roughly 90%."

Source: Utah News Dispatch, 07/16/2026

Trump Admin Proposes To Hand States Control Over Grizzlies

"The Trump administration proposed Tuesday to hand over management of grizzly bears to Western states, a win for advocates of local control that did not change the underlying imperiled status of the bears."

Source: E&E News, 07/16/2026

Trump Slashes Size Of 2 National Monuments In Utah As GOPers Push Mines

"President Donald Trump on Monday sharply reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, undoing protections established by former presidents on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in southern Utah have ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and scenic canyons, as well as coal and uranium deposits that state officials want made available for development."

Source: AP, 07/14/2026

US To Proceed With Contested Roundup Of 450 Mustangs In Eastern Sierra

"Federal officials will begin rounding up wild horses in the Eastern Sierra on July 8, citing trampled wetlands and highway hazards, with the animals to be offered for adoption. The helicopter-assisted operation is praised by some environmentalists but condemned by others, including local tribes and animal advocates."

Source: Los Angeles Times, 07/07/2026

Dam Removal Efforts Lead to a Stunning Comeback for Maine’s Alewives

"Along most of the Atlantic coast, alewives are struggling after decades of damming and overfishing. But in Maine, the fish is rebounding—and towns’ historic harvests are growing."

Source: Inside Climate News, 07/07/2026

New Gold Exploration Revives Old Fears for Montana’s Blackfoot River

"State regulators have approved exploratory drilling near the headwaters of the rugged flow that inspired “A River Runs Through It,” which is still recovering from a mining disaster more than 50 years ago."

Source: Inside Climate News, 07/07/2026

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY)