Tired of the political "tit for tat" being thrust upon us via the corporate media? Want some really "meaty" issues to gnaw on and digest? Issues that aren't being highlighted in your news at 10? I submit to you, today's ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS TO USE.
High ammonia levels threaten Des Moines' water. Manure and commercial fertilizers spread on frozen ground contributed to record ammonia levels in water supplies across Iowa this spring, threatening tap water in Des Moines. Des Moines Register
Federal judge blocks uranium company's test near Grand Canyon. A federal judge has blocked a British mining company from exploring for uranium near the Grand Canyon, agreeing with environmental groups which sued the U.S. Forest Service. Associated Press via International Tribune.
WATER
Runoff remedies. Pushed by an increasingly green-conscious citizenry and anxious to avoid federal EPA fines, many communities are embracing a host of new technologies to capture storm and snow runoff. Boston Globe
Old canals concern federal water bosses. The failure of an earthen embankment on a century-old irrigation canal that flooded this growing town has federal water managers concerned about the safety of nearly 8,000 miles of similar aging canals across the West. Associated Press via Newsday
Drought ignites Spain's 'water war.' A bitter political battle is raging over how to manage Spain's scarcest resource - water. The country is in its worst drought since the 1940s. London Observer
Study warns of greater Conn. River pollution. Rising temperatures due to global warming over coming decades will reduce water levels and raise pollution concentrations in the Connecticut River and its tributaries during the summer, according to a new study. Springfield Republican
Drought aid drains Treasury. A Productivity Commission report shows the drought has wreaked havoc on Treasury coffers, as well as Australia's farmlands. Sydney Australian
Seeking the water jackpot. For almost a century, the Navajo Tribe has been left out of the Colorado River water game. Now, they’re ready to play their hand. High Country News.
Lakes forecast: Tension high. Climate change and more droughts in coming decades could add to pressure to ship Great Lakes water to thirsty regions, at the same time global warming could cause the lakes to shrink, creating a nightmare scenario, expert says. Detroit Free Press
Protect Canada's water, Ottawa urged. Warning that most Americans see Canada as that "great green sponge up north," four organizations plan to issue a plea today to the Conservative government to protect the nation's water before it's too late. Toronto Star
Vermont lawmakers are told of impending water crisis. Lawmakers studying legislation that would protect Vermont's ground water heard dire warnings yesterday from a Canadian author about a worldwide shortage of fresh water that she said could worsen exponentially in the coming years. Associated Press via Boston.com
TOXINS
Tiny fish carry telltale signs of river toxics. Researchers have documented especially high rates of liver cancer and precancerous tumors in mummichogs living near toxic hot spots on the Elizabeth River, near old factories and shipyards. Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot
'Toxic trailers' raise fears about RVs. Air quality advocates say ordinary camper trailers and motorized recreational vehicles can be unhealthy because no federal or state agency attempts to bar manufacturers from using materials containing formaldehyde. Indianapolis Star
Researcher uncovers what caused Gulf War Syndrome. A new report links the syndrome to pesticides, nerve agents and a pill that was supposed to prevent the very symptoms it caused. Seattle King 5 TV
Teflon toxin found in W.Va. residents. Thousands of residents who live near a DuPont Co. plant in Parkersburg, W. Va., have elevated levels of a chemical used to make the nonstick coating Teflon, according to early results from a massive screening. Wilmington News Journal
ENERGY
Opponents wary of tire-recycling plans. Just 13 miles across the New York- Pennsylvania border, a developer in Erie wants to build what would be one of the world’s largest "tires-to-energy" plants, where 900 tons of scrap tires would be converted into electricity every day. Buffalo News
UMW taking up mountaintop fight? The United Mine Workers union would not oppose a ban on mountaintop removal as a "long-term goal" for Appalachia, a union spokesman says. Charleston Gazette
Global warming - new focus on coal. James E. Hansen - perhaps the best-known scientific advocate for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions - sent a letter recently to the head of one of the nation’s largest power companies calling on him to confront the role that his coal-fired plants play in global warming. San Francisco Sentinel
Sustainable living: Wind-powered energy grows in popularity. Wind power is a plentiful source of renewable energy in our region. Wind turbines now supply only about 1 percent of worldwide energy use, but wind energy has increased fivefold between 2000 and 2007. Middletown Times Herald-Record
Labour 'killing Britain's renewables industry.' The number of households installing solar panels and other clean energy systems has slumped by up to three-quarters in England and Wales because grants to make them more affordable have been slashed and rationed. London Independent
PG&E gives solar panels to Tracy school. Anne Jayne, a fifth-grade teacher, is working on a curriculum about alternative energy to go with the solar panels and complement the science that students already are learning. Pleasanton Tri-Valley Herald
POLLUTION
Latins get aid in global war on emissions. Hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing annually into Latin America, cleaning up city garbage dumps and country animal manure, financing hydroelectric dams and doing away with coal-burning power plants -- thanks to Kyoto. Miami Herald
Sludge used as fertilizer concerns Oldtown woman. Bernice Slider, of Oldtown, was worried after reading the report of a federal judge who ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to compensate a Georgia farmer for more than 300 cows who died after eating hay fertilized by sludge. Cumberland Times-News
Cities struggle with aging sewer systems. While most Minnesotans don’t need to think about what happens after they leave the powder room, there are many in Minnesota for whom sewage is a growing worry. Bemidji Pioneer
'Downwinders' can sue over Hanford issues. A major ruling Friday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals clears the way for 1,000 to 2,000 Hanford "downwinders" to sue Hanford contractors for radiation damages. Spokane Spokesman-Review (sub.req.)
BEING GREEN
A paler shade of green. Much of Gov. Martin O'Malley's environmental agenda is headed toward passage in the General Assembly. But the faltering economy has tempered many proposals. Baltimore Sun
Examples of eco-friendly measures in Swedish town of Vaexjoe. The southern Swedish town of Vaexjoe is a world leader in environmental protection, with many international delegations visiting the town to see the measures it has implemented. Agence France-Presse
Companies will have to tell all on carbon emissions. An amendment added to the Climate Change Bill last week requires quoted companies to include carbon emission information as part of their annual business reviews. London Independent
Gore trains Canadians to teach his Inconvenient Truth. Climate-change prophet Al Gore was in downtown Montreal Saturday to teach 220 Canadians how to host seminars adapted from his acclaimed documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth. CanWest News
Airboat captain feeling green. Eighth-generation Chokoloskee Islander and airboat captain Shannon Brown has an environmentally responsible approach by choosing to make bio-diesel. Fort Myers News-Press
Plug-in hybrid cars ready to roll in California. California has told car makers to start producing hybrid vehicles that can be plugged into the electricity mains. New Scientist
'Net zero' water goal is an obstacle for supergreen house. In designing what is believed to be the nation’s first house built to the greenest of green certification standards, Vancouver architect Timothy Buckley and others had to figure out a way for the home to naturally harvest and dispense all of its own water. Clark Columbian
From the sideline: Go green! Save the carbon! The Nets supported four worldwide projects to offset carbon emissions when they hosted the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. "We're definitely the first NBA team to have a carbon neutral game," said Julianne Waldron, the Nets' environmental manager. Fresno Bee
Saving the planet, one CD player at time. Roll up your greensleeves and recycle your e-waste. Van Nuys Signal
FOOD
Food riots fear after rice price its a high. A global rice shortage that has seen prices of one of the world's most important staple foods increase by 50 per cent in the past two weeks alone is triggering an international crisis. London Observer
Metal found in Queensland supermarkets' meat. Pieces of metal about 6cm in length have been found in uncooked meat products and other frozen products at Coles, Bi-Lo and Woolworths stores, sparking a nationwide alert. Brisbane Times
Labor harvests advice on farm strategy. With climate change creating unprecedented challenges and global competition squeezing the state's farming sector, Premier John Brumby organised a forum in Melbourne at which farming leaders spelt out the future needs of grain and livestock producers. Melbourne Age
Frito-Lay solar system puts the sun in SunChips, takes advantage of renewable energy. The Frito-Lay plant in Modesto will start using a new ingredient of sorts to make its SunChips brand snack — the sun. Modesto Bee
California salmon collapse could lead to Pacific fishing ban. The stunning collapse of one of the West Coast's biggest wild salmon runs has prompted even cash-strapped fishermen to call for an unprecedented shutdown of salmon fishing off the coasts of California and Oregon. Associated Press via Modesto Bee
CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
Magpies threatened by West Nile virus. Since 2004, when West Nile virus swept into California via infected mosquitoes, the large black and white bird with the iridescent blue wings and distinctive yellow bill has been the hardest hit of all. Sacramento Bee
South Dakota beekeepers hopeful about honey. The California winter has been a tough one on South Dakota beekeepers like Richard Adee. Associated Press via Delawareonline.
Scientists seek clues for cause of bat deaths. With survivors of the area's ravaged bat population poised to emerge from hibernation, biologists are still trying to find out what caused the mass die-off this winter. Associated Press via Poughkeepsie Journal
Koalas in danger. The future of the koala, perhaps Australia's best-loved animal, is under threat because greenhouse gas emissions are making eucalyptus leaves – their sole food source – inedible. London Independent
Thinking inside the box. There is a threat afoot. Right now the threat is to bees and because bees are the pollinators of one-third of the human food supply, the threat is to us all. Lompoc Record
THE POLITICAL BOXING RING
Clinton gushes over Oregon's green steps. Sen. Hillary Clinton swept through Oregon on Saturday praising the state's commitment to clean energy while claiming rival Democratic Sen. Barack Obama voted against the state's environmental interests. Portland Oregonian
Delivering on energy and the environment. Would Hillary Clinton have the political will to deliver on her ambitious plans for energy and the environment? Living on Earth's Jeff Young finds the answer depends on which part of the Clinton record you look at. Living On Earth.
Coal-use advocates follow contenders. While the Democratic presidential candidates are out stumping in Pennsylvania, they’re being followed by some interesting vans carrying advocates of an issue that a year ago didn’t need any additional publicity. Wilkes-Barre Times Leader