Environment

The official designation comes at a pivotal time when sustained drought threatens this precious natural resource — CRIT considers “a living entity” — running parallel to the nearly 300,000-acre reservation along the California border.

Beyond the bickering Upper and Lower Basin states, there are 30 federally recognized tribes stuck in the middle of a decades-old debate on how best to divvy the water while keeping the ever-dwindling river flowing.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources has taken the first step toward creating a new part of the state in which groundwater is regulated.

Because of drought, mandatory water cuts are nothing new in Utah. But the potential of large-scale reductions across the Colorado River Basin would present a steep challenge.

The University of Arizona says it has received almost $15 million to help ease health threats posed by products from mining.

A desert biome habitat at the University of Arizona now houses an endangered fish species known as the Sonoyta pupfish. The habitat is located in the university’s Biosphere 2, an earth and environmental science research laboratory.

A Phoenix business plans to repurpose trees knocked down by the recent Tempe microburst. Wine Glass Bar Sawmill says these trees will be converted into usable wood and potentially furniture.

A new study finds that what Americans eat — particularly beef — plays a major role in carbon emissions in cities. And cities in the Mountain West rank among those most heavily impacted.

After mining industry trade groups sued to overturn the rule, federal judges twice paused its enforcement before the government shutdown delayed it a third time this month. Andy Martin went to the Department of Labor to speak out against further delays.

Drought and steady demand along the Colorado River are draining the nation's second-largest reservoir. Land that was once submerged is now full of beavers and thriving ecosystems.