Utah & U.S. Environment News
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Does Utah really have the 'Greatest Snow on Earth'?
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 7 - 10:40 a.m. | Save Story
Utah for decades has billed itself as having the "Greatest Snow on Earth."
Utah dam reconstruction wins national award
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 6 - 10:34 p.m. | Save Story
The reconstruction of a 1906 dam that serves Yuba Reservoir won a national award from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials earlier this year, deemed the project of the year across the country.
Released 911 calls reveal desperate pleas and tragic outcomes during Texas Hill Country flood
Jim Vertuno, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 6 - 11:23 a.m. | Save Story
Newly released recordings of 911 calls show Texas residents and staffers at Camp Mystic caught up in the catastrophic flooding in July pleaded for help as rushing waters rose around them.
Officials: leaking barrels near Great Salt Lake aren't suspicious, public health risk low
Shelby Lofton, KSL | Posted Dec. 6 - 9:29 a.m. | Save Story
State environmental and local health officials are investigating nearly two dozen leaking barrels discovered near the Great Salt Lake after a report on Thanksgiving Day.
Salt Lake City eyes grants to cover safety, Jordan River upgrades amid potential budget deficit
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Dec. 5 - 7:37 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake City is looking to add approximately $4.1 million to its current budget to address mostly public safety issues, but none of the new spending is expected to affect its general budget.
92 arrests made, 122 citations issued in monthslong sweep of Jordan River Parkway
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Dec. 5 - 12:04 p.m. | Save Story
Nearly 100 arrests were made and several more citations were issued during a multiagency sweep of the Jordan River Parkway Trail carried out over the last few months.
Utah could soon get a new state park and a new trail outlining Salt Lake history
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Dec. 4 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
Utah will consider adding a new state park in 2026, adding to a popular system that generated close to 13 million visits last year.
Northern Utah farm reaches agreement to lease quarter of its water to Great Salt Lake
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Dec. 3 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
A new agreement between a Weber County farm owner and multiple entities could serve as a new template for getting water to the Great Salt Lake.
Are electricity rates getting another hike in Utah?
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 2 - 8:05 a.m. | Save Story
Another electricity rate hike is being proposed by Rocky Mountain Power to offset the cost of wildfires in Utah. But critics are wondering when the prices of electricity will stop increasing.
Examining bee behavior in winter
Shelby Lofton, KSL | Posted Dec. 1 - 6:20 a.m. | Save Story
After a fire destroyed a honey factory in American Fork, a local expert shared insight about how to care for bees during the winter and how this business owner can recover.
New research shows drought conditions drive deer populations to croplands, urban environments
Logan Stefanich, KSL | Posted Nov. 29 - 9:03 p.m. | Save Story
New USU research tracked movements of mule deer during drought and found that when water content in plants drops, deer will abandon their natural habitat for irrigated croplands.
Should you be afraid of nuclear energy?
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 29 - 7:04 p.m. | Save Story
In the United States, about 20% of electricity is generated by nuclear reactors, and as of December 2024, there were over 315,000 bundles of spent nuclear fuel rods (that are radioactive) sitting in concrete vaults around the country.
Recent avalanche highlights Utah's risk despite low snow levels
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 26 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Experts warn that a 150-foot-wide avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon over the weekend underscores a danger that exists within the mountains despite low snow totals so far.
Mike Lee wants less federal oversight on public lands in Utah and the West
Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 21 - 6:29 p.m. | Save Story
States should have more oversight over public lands management, according to top lawmakers who say the federal government has become too inefficient and removed from local interests.
La Niña is back. What type of winter will it provide Utah this time around?
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 21 - 10:01 a.m. | Save Story
A new, long-range forecast signals uncertainty for Utah heading into meteorological winter, but it also offers some hope.
This new playground, open space marks a milestone for Salt Lake City
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 20 - 9:05 p.m. | Save Story
A new open space marks the first completed project tied to an $85 million bond that Salt Lake residents approved three years ago. It could also help in a transformation of the Jordan River.
Great Salt Lake is rising again, but it's going to need a 'really big' winter to avoid concerns
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 20 - 3:10 p.m. | Save Story
The Great Salt Lake appears to have started its annual winter gains early after a rainy October, but it faces an uncertain winter and a long road to recovery ahead.
Continuing resolution allocates $5M for Gunnison drinking water project
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 19 - 2:12 p.m. | Save Story
As part of the continuing resolution that reopened the government after a 44-day shutdown, Rep. Burgess Owens announced that $5 million will fund the Gunnison City Tarr Canyon Water Development Project.
Are Grizzly bears making their way to Utah?
Mike Godfrey for KSL | Posted Nov. 17 - 8:30 p.m. | Save Story
A grizzly bear was seen approximately 20 miles east of Utah's northern border in April of this year. Experts weight in on what happens if the species returns to the Beehive State.
Gov. Cox announces preliminary plans for nuclear power facility in the Brigham City area
Tim Vandenack, KSL | Updated Nov. 17 - 2:35 p.m. | Save Story
Gov. Spencer Cox joined other Utah leaders to announce plans to develop possibly four or more small modular nuclear reactors in the Brigham City area.
Salt Lake City honors 'quiet majority' by completing tree restoration 5 years after storm
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 17 - 12:11 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake City and a few dozen volunteers completed a full restoration of the 250 trees that were lost during a strong windstorm in 2020.
Rio Tinto Kennecott signs wind power deal with Texas-based wind project
Logan Stefanich, KSL | Posted Nov. 15 - 10:34 p.m. | Save Story
With a goal of continuing decarbonization, Rio Tinto Kennecott announced Thursday it signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with TerraGen for renewable energy from a newly completed wind farm in Texas.
Salt Lake's airport has chemical spill safeguards. It's still a risk for Great Salt Lake
Eric S. Peterson, KUER | Posted Nov. 15 - 8:28 p.m. | Save Story
The Salt Lake airport employs countless mechanisms to stop pollutants before they get near the pump station, from personnel watching for spills and pollution to a series of storm drains, some with locks.
Saving landscapes, wildlife, watersheds and more
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 14 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
Long after wildfires are put out, impacts are felt in the environment. Debris flows, charred landscapes, threatened watersheds and, of course, wildlife are some of the issues.
Relentless rise in carbon pollution from fossil fuels slightly dampens climate-fighting hopes
Seth Borenstein, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 13 - 10:49 a.m. | Save Story
For each of the past several years, scientists, analysts and officials have been hoping it would be the year when emissions from fossil fuels would stop going up. So far, it hasn't happened.
Utah, 6 other states hopeful to secure new Colorado River deal after missing key deadline
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 12 - 12:51 p.m. | Save Story
Utah and the six other Colorado River states reached a tentative agreement to continue working together on a plan to share river water from the river after missing a federal deadline.
Arches opens investigation after visitor reports graffiti on landscapes
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 10 - 7:35 p.m. | Save Story
National Park Service officials say they're investigating a land vandalism case near Landscape Arch in the Devils Garden area of Arches National Park.
Is drying up the Colorado River going to dry up Utah?
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 10 - 6:25 a.m. | Save Story
The seven states that make up the Colorado River basin are facing a Tuesday decision with the federal government on a commitment to draw down on water use on a river in crisis.
Deadline closing in for Utah and 6 other states hammering out a new water plan
Annie Knox, Utah News Dispatch | Posted Nov. 9 - 12:08 p.m. | Save Story
Utah and six other states along the Colorado River are pushing up against a deadline to figure out as a group how to manage the river and its reservoirs.
New research shows true 'cost' of living with Great Salt Lake dust
Lauren Steinbrecher, PBS Utah | Posted Nov. 9 - 9:05 a.m. | Save Story
The Great Salt Lake's dust storms are not just an environmental problem, according to a new study from a professor at the University of Utah. It's also hitting Utahns' wallets.
Volunteers help plant up to 50,000 trees this weekend at the Bear River Massacre Site
Mike Anderson, KSL | Posted Nov. 9 - 8:03 a.m. | Save Story
Hundreds of volunteers joined the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation in a $14 million effort to restore the sacred Bear River Massacre site this weekend.
Dirty energy or clean energy? What is the right mix for Utah?
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 8 - 10:54 a.m. | Save Story
Against a backdrop of "drill baby drill," how does clean energy survive, and is the United States of America properly invested?
Indigenous director of GSL documentary hopes film sparks new conversations on saving the lake
Vanessa Hudson, Amplify Utah | Posted Nov. 6 - 11:01 a.m. | Save Story
A documentary focused on Indigenous stewardship of Great Salt Lake is the latest cry, filmmakers say, for state leaders to listen to Indigenous voices who believe the issue has been "scienced to death."
Fish species illegally introduced at Utah reservoir within Colorado River drainage
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 5 - 9:45 p.m. | Save Story
Utah wildlife officials are again reminding people that it's illegal to dump fish into bodies of water after state biologists discovered an unapproved species had been introduced at a southeast Utah reservoir.
Deer free in Maryland after having a bucket stuck on its head
JT Moodee Lockman, WJZ via CNN | Posted Nov. 5 - 5:29 p.m. | Save Story
A deer in Baltimore County that had a pumpkin bucket stuck on its head is now free, according to wildlife activists.
Utah's 15 ski resorts made upgrades for this winter, but weather is delaying at least 1 opening
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Nov. 5 - 3:00 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's 15 ski resorts spent nearly $600 million toward investments over the past few years, but weather may still delay some openings this year.
Here is one idea how to help save the Colorado River
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 2 - 9:00 p.m. | Save Story
The Colorado River is struggling and faces a shortfall that will forever shape the West. An easy enemy to blame is agriculture, but there are other unseen culprits, an expert says.
Why Utah is courting 'Down Under' for mining benefits
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 2 - 7:17 a.m. | Save Story
In the global race to secure rare earth minerals and critical minerals, Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utah to be at the top of the heap when it comes to being a beneficiary of the deal.
Provo mayor announces goal to remove carp, invasive plants from Utah Lake by 2034
Carter Williams, KSL | Updated Oct. 30 - 6:47 p.m. | Save Story
Provo's mayor and the group that oversees Utah Lake say they want the lake free of carp and water-stealing invasive vegetation within the next decade.
Sen. Curtis pushing forward with the Fix Our Forests Act
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 29 - 6:27 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Sen. John Curtis is continuing to push forward with the Fix Our Forests Act after the legislation passed through a Senate committee last week with a bipartisan vote of 18-5.
Washington County has quiver of arrows to fight drought
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 28 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
Washington County has been recognized as having one of the most forward-thinking water conservation plans in place, investing a billion dollars in a water reuse system.
Study underway exploring cleanup efforts to remove toxic groundwater plume in Salt Lake City
Curtis Booker, KSL | Posted Oct. 27 - 8:03 a.m. | Save Story
The Salt Lake VA is exploring groundwater plume remediation efforts in areas near and including East High School.
Mike Lee sponsors bill to protect Americans from 'climate extremist lawfare'
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 26 - 5:03 p.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mike Lee introduced the Fair Air Enforcement Act on Thursday with a goal to protect Americans from what he called "lawfare by climate extremists."
Draper businesses can reopen now that sewer line is fixed
Cassidy Wixom, KSL | Updated Oct. 25 - 9:31 p.m. | Save Story
Several businesses in Draper that were shut down Saturday due to a sewer line break have been cleared to resume operations now that repairs are complete.
Hurricane Melissa strengthening rapidly, threatening catastrophic flooding in northern Caribbean
The Associated Press | Posted Oct. 25 - 9:07 p.m. | Save Story
Hurricane Melissa is strengthening rapidly, threatening to become a major hurricane and cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica.
Is Utah's pledge to save the Great Salt Lake by the 2034 Winter Olympics possible?
Shelby Lofton, KSL | Posted Oct. 25 - 7:03 p.m. | Save Story
Gov. Spencer Cox recently announced a goal to get the Great Salt Lake to a healthy level by 2034. Those who are in charge of the lake and its health had their say about it Wednesday.
Idaho hunter shoots grizzly bear in self-defense near Island Park, Idaho
David Kennard, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted Oct. 24 - 6:17 a.m. | Save Story
Officials said a big game hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense in Island Park on Saturday morning, according to a statement from Idaho Fish and Game.
Utah's surprising new agricultural star and other noteable findings from new USU report
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Oct. 23 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
There's a surprising new star in Utah's agricultural industry, and it might be sitting in a vase somewhere in your home.
Why Utah will require chronic wasting disease testing in Ogden's 2026 deer hunt
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Oct. 23 - 6:32 p.m. | Save Story
Utah wildlife officials say they will require hunters in its Ogden unit to have deer testing for chronic wasting disease beginning next year.
Global conservation nonprofit partners with USU conservation institute with $100K investment
Logan Stefanich, KSL | Posted Oct. 23 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
Utah State University's Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air on Tuesday announced a $100,000 partnership with The Nature Conservancy.
Small Garfield County community weighs pros and cons of proposed mining project
Alex Cabrero, KSL | Posted Oct. 23 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
As the United States works to become more self-sufficient, residents in Antimony, Garfield County, shared their thoughts on a proposed mining operation — in their own backyard.
Deadline for Great Salt Lake water projects extended as shutdown creates new hurdle
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Oct. 22 - 9:06 p.m. | Save Story
Utah leaders are extending a deadline for projects that may help bring water to the Great Salt Lake because they say the government shutdown makes it difficult to coordinate with agencies.
Utah still has 'a long road ahead' despite record-setting moisture, state says
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Oct. 21 - 5:05 p.m. | Save Story
The first three weeks of Utah's 2026 water year have been "outstanding," but state water managers warn that there's plenty of ground to make up from the previous water year.
Natural disasters are affecting the nation's food supply
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 20 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
New research shows how a variety of natural disasters are impacting the nation's food supply, presenting costly challenges to ranchers and farmers who are already struggling.
Survey: Utah ranks high for energy efficiency
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 19 - 9:00 p.m. | Save Story
A new analysis puts Utah seventh in the nation overall for its energy efficiency, at fifth place in the country for home energy efficiency and ninth for vehicle fuel efficiency.
Taylor Swift-worn vintage T-shirt drive raises $2.3M for Monterey Bay Aquarium
Jazmon DeJarnette, KSBW via CNN | Posted Oct. 19 - 1:02 p.m. | Save Story
Fans of Taylor Swift brought a classic 32-year-old Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt back to life, while raising awareness of the aquarium's mission in the process.
Plan-B Theatre highlights Great Salt Lake through humor with 2 new plays
Mariah Maynes, Great Salt Lake Collaborative | Posted Oct. 19 - 12:03 p.m. | Save Story
Each year, Plan-B Theatre develops a production for elementary school students. This year's edition focuses on Great Salt Lake.
Utah cities could be pushed to enact tougher water conservation ordinances
Ben Winslow, FOX 13 News | Posted Oct. 19 - 11:28 a.m. | Save Story
The need for water has forced South Jordan to consider ideas like "Pure SoJo," a project to turn wastewater into drinking water, and to get aggressive about water conservation.
