Why some Washington wildfires burn for months | king5.com
Study floats taking Washington farmland for riparian buffers | Water | capitalpress.com
A state-funded study tentatively proposes taking Washington farmland by eminent domain if voluntary programs fail to conserve enough riparian habitat to satisfy salmon-recovery plans.
Biden administration announces Columbia River task force | Water | capitalpress.com
The White House has announced formation of a Columbia River task force and issued a report detailing negative impacts of federal dams on Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest as part of the December 2023 agreement between tribes, the federal government and the states of Oregon and Washington.
H5N1 virus was spread by cattle, people, and shared equipment
After the H5N1 avian flu virus jumped from birds to dairy cattle in Texas last December, it was spread across the country by infected cows, contaminated machinery, and people who inadvertently carried the virus on their clothes and footwear from farm to farm, said USDA scientists on Thursday.
NACD Commends Proposals in Senate Ranking Member’s Farm Bill Framework, Urges Bipartisan Action to Pass a Final Bill - NACD
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2024 CONTACT: Candice Abinanti [email protected] NACD Commends Proposals in Senate Ranking Member’s Farm Bill Framework, Urges Bipartisan Action to Pass a Final Bill Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman released a framework outlining Senate Republican farm bill priorities. NACD commends that the framework
Backlash against DEI spreads to more states • Stateline
In a number of states, opponents of diversity, equity and inclusion policies are enjoying growing success in dissolving the programs at public universities.
Local governments want say in crafting Washington's new wildfire protection rules • Washington State Standard
As the state looks at drawing new wildfire risk maps and new building codes, local governments want more say.
Some Central Washington farmers face half rations of water | Orchards, Nuts & Vines | capitalpress.com
Central Washington farmers with junior water rights in the Yakima River basin had their water supplies cut again, as the Bureau of Reclamation told irrigators to expect 47% of their full allotments.
House Agriculture Committee approves farm bill with 4 Democratic votes | TheFencePost.com
The House Agriculture Committee early today approved a new farm bill by a vote of 33 to 21. Four Democrats joined all Republicans to vote for the bill. The four Democrats were Rep. Sanford Bishop,...
Energy officials: Horse Heaven won't add to grid reliability | Rural Life | capitalpress.com
Public power officials dispute Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's claim that the Horse Heaven wind and solar project would make the electric grid more reliable, calling it "utter nonsense" and "fanciful."
Researchers find a tiny organism has the power to reduce a persistent greenhouse gas in farm fields | AP News
Thanks to heavy use of nitrogen fertilizer, tiny organisms that flourish in farm fields emit nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that can warm the planet more than carbon dioxide and stay in the atmosphere for over a century.
Insight Into Endangered Status: The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit
Join the conversation on the endangered status of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit and have your voice heard! Learn about the upcoming Periodic Status Review by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. #EndangeredSpecies #Conservation
Adjudi-what?! Reactions to Nooksack Water Basin rights battle - My Bellingham Now
Part 2 of MyBellinghamNow’s new series, “Adjudi-what?!” tackles farmers, municipalities and water associations impacted by water rights adjudication in Whatcom County.
How Oregon farms manage manure and what’s changing this year - OPB
CAFO permits aim to protect Oregon waters from agricultural pollution. The rules for CAFOs are changing, and that could bring new accountability — and new costs — to some of the state's larger farms.
GRASS FOR THE FUTURE | Research Center | capitalpress.com
Washington's grass seed industry is developing new varieties to serve farmers and consumers, with the help of Washington State University's rejuvenated grass breeding program. "It's grasses for the future, both for the consumer and the farmer," said Orlin Reinbold, one of the owners of Clearwater Seed in Spokane. "We have consumers that want low-maintenance lawns. And it's got to be able to yield, and the farmer has to make money growing it."
Washington electrical customers may face grid shutdown during wildfire season | Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune
Electrical customers may have power turned off as part of a program to reduce wildfires caused by their equipment.
5 ways to attack the climate crisis | CNN
Global warming has unleashed a cascade of unintended consequences and whipped up climate anxiety. CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir has five tips to weather it.
USDA concerns don't dissuade EPA from banning fungicide | Orchards, Nuts & Vines | capitalpress.com
Federal environmental regulators are pressing ahead with plans to cancel a fungicide used in Northwest orchards despite the USDA’s concerns about unintended consequences.
USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production | Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production May 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024.
Avista to begin blackouts during storms to avoid fires | The Spokesman-Review
Rolling blackouts will now be part of the plan to combat Spokane area wildfires, according to an announcement Wednesday by officials at Avista Utilities.
2024 will be a big year for turnover in Olympia • Washington State Standard
Washington’s state government is in for much change this election season due to officeholders leaving and pursuing new political posts.
For farmers, watching and waiting is a spring planting ritual. Climate change is adding to anxiety | AP News
As climate change drives an increase in spring rains across the Midwest, it can mean more anxiety for farmers eager to carry out the ritual of spring planting.
WA Ranchers bearing brunt of grizzlies returning to North Cascades | Washington | thecentersquare.com
(The Center Square) - After years of discussion and public meetings, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed a final agreement to bring grizzly bears
Outlook worsens for Yakima River basin irrigators | Orchards, Nuts & Vines | capitalpress.com
Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water rights will receive only 54% of normal water supplies, the worst May outlook since the historic 2015 drought, the U.S. Bureau Bureau of Reclamation projected.
Wildfire Awareness in Washington: What You Need to Know
Pack an emergency kit with food, important documents a battery powered radio, and any medications needed.
Columbia Basin farmers hopeful irrigation program will stretch water resources | Washington | thecentersquare.com
(The Center Square) – Farmers in the central and eastern portions of Washington state are hoping recent developments related to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program will mean the eventual completion
Washington’s gray wolves moving further west; federally delisted from ESA | Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune
Hikers have more to watch out for than bears this summer.
System malfunction leads to deaths of 1 million salmon at Skagit County hatchery
More than 1 million young Chinook salmon died following a major mechanical failure at a hatchery in Skagit County.
Clark County farmers say Farm Bill vital to climate-smart agriculture, urge Congress to pass funding - The Columbian
With the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture expected to begin discussions on the federal Farm Bill later this month, farmers and leaders from Clark County and farther afield gathered at the Second Mi
The Inland Northwest could burn again: Potential for more wildfires highlights need for safety, preventative measures | The Spokesman-Review
Fire officials are preparing for a hot, dry summer that could leave the region in danger of wildfires.