Water & Oceans

"The Obama administration on Thursday blocked development of a copper and nickel mine near a popular wilderness area in northern Minnesota, saying the project could poison the vast web of lakes, streams and wetlands that crosshatch the region."

"Californians relying on small water utilities to bring drinking water into their homes, or who work or go to school in places providing their own water, are far more likely to be exposed to lead, according to a new analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data by The Desert Sun and USA TODAY."

"Fracking for oil and natural gas can contaminate drinking water under 'some circumstances,' the Environmental Protection Agency said in a report released Tuesday, which changes a previous finding that the drilling process does not cause 'widespread, systemic' effects."

"NASA does more than explore other planets; it studies our own. Agency scientists worry Donald Trump will abort the work."

"A pipeline leak has spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into a North Dakota creek roughly two and a half hours from Cannon Ball, where protesters are camped out in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline."

"The California water bill now ready for the president's signature dramatically shifts 25 years of federal policy and culminates a long and fractious campaign born in the drought-stricken San Joaquin Valley."

"After a weeklong battle over last-minute policy riders, the Senate passed a major water bill in the early morning hours Saturday that includes emergency aid for Flint, Mich., and drought relief for California."

"The House [Thursday] afternoon passed water projects legislation and a continuing resolution to keep the government funded into next year, but the Senate path is unclear."