Legislation to protect endangered and threatened native fish in the Colorado River is heading to President Joe Biden’s desk.
The bill puts millions of dollars toward fish monitoring and infrastructure upgrades. That’s expected to help farms, cities, and tribes that use the river’s water avoid federal penalties for hurting fish habitat.
Abby Burk with the National Audubon Society isn’t surprised the bill got bipartisan support.
“I feel that the demonstrated success of bringing people together with water projects in support of our connection to the river stands on its own, that when we really get down to the core of it, we all depend upon river health,” Burk said.
The bill will help protect four different species of fish — including the humpback chub, which was recently downlisted from endangered to threatened.
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A year after lawmakers made significant cuts to resolve a state budget deficit, Gov. Katie Hobbs' proposes to increase state spending by $1 billion over the plan she signed into law last summer. -
Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum testified Thursday before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego. He wanted to know how President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee would help tribes in Arizona if confirmed as the 55th secretary of the Interior. -
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by environmentalists that would have made the San Pedro River a state-regulated Active Management Area, or AMA. -
Two of the biggest issues in Arizona right now also happen to be two of the biggest issues facing one of the state’s biggest industries: agriculture. Farms and farmers are dealing with how to use less water to grow their crops, and in many cases, how to run their operations with fewer workers. -
Both Tucson and Gilbert are getting projects funded through the Bureau of Reclamation's program to conserve Colorado River Water.
