U.K. Ratifies High Seas Treaty to Protect Marine Biodiversity
The United Kingdom ratified the High Seas Treaty on July 10, advancing an international framework for protecting vulnerable marine habitats and species beyond national waters.
Environment & Weather
Weather, climate, pollution, air and water quality, conservation, wildlife, natural resources, and environmental policy.
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Western wildfires complicate emergency response as Utah crash site remains inaccessible
A Utah wildfire blocked emergency responders from safely reaching a helicopter-crash site as fires in Washington and Oregon prompted closures, threatened communities and continued to spread.
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Virginia drought deepens as state tracks record-low water indicators
Virginia is averaging 7.8 inches below normal rainfall, while the Roanoke region faces emergency-level drought conditions and record-low readings in some wells.
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Texas keeps wildfire, drought and flooding disasters active across dozens of counties
Texas lists six active disaster declarations, including designations covering 50 counties for drought, 15 for Hill Country and Central Texas flooding, and 11 for wildfire.
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SDSU Extension urges South Dakota livestock producers to test water as drought raises salt concerns
South Dakota State University Extension is offering free water testing after recent tests found some ponds, creeks and streams may contain unsafe salt levels for livestock.
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Rhode Island enters statewide drought watch amid historically low water levels
Gov. Dan McKee issued a statewide drought watch July 1 after officials reported unusually low groundwater, reservoir and streamflow conditions. Water advisories, a second West Nile detection and a shellfishing closure followed during July.
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Oregon secures federal assistance for three wildfire responses as 2026 fire season intensifies
Oregon approved three federal Fire Management Assistance Grants in July, while state officials mobilized resources to the Town Gulch Fire on Aug. 6 amid severe drought and low snowpack.
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North Carolina Helene recovery plan adds wildfire crews, aviation tools and watershed work
A quarterly update on Western North Carolina’s Helene recovery outlines debris removal, stream restoration and new wildfire-response capacity, including four planned fire-equipment operators.
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New York adopts cybersecurity requirements for wastewater systems, with grants available to help utilities comply
New York has adopted statewide wastewater cybersecurity rules requiring operator training, incident reporting and emergency planning. A $2.5 million grant program will help utilities assess and upgrade their systems.
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Vermont administration advances wetlands-rule changes despite legislative objections
Gov. Phil Scott’s administration is continuing to pursue changes that could reduce wetland buffers for some housing projects, despite a legislative oversight committee’s formal rebuke in May.
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Utah keeps emergency powers active after wildfires trigger flooding and infrastructure damage
Gov. Spencer Cox declared an emergency for Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties after post-fire flooding damaged roads, homes, irrigation systems and drinking-water infrastructure.
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U.N. prepares August 17 desertification summit in Mongolia as drought resilience takes center stage
The 17th session of the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification is scheduled to open August 17, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with a focus on drought resilience, land degradation and sustainable land management.
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Interior Reports 356 Billion Short Tons of Coal Resources Beneath Federal Lands
A new Interior Department assessment identifies 356 billion short tons of available coal resources beneath federally managed public lands, but it does not authorize mining or approve new leases.
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NOAA Confirms El Niño Has Emerged, With Strong Event Possible by Late 2026
NOAA said July 9 that El Niño conditions are present and strengthening, with a 97% chance of lasting into early spring 2027 and an 81% chance of becoming very strong in late 2026.
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UNICEF Report Says 1.1 Billion Children Face Three or More Overlapping Climate Hazards
UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 says nearly half of the world’s children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, with more than 4 million potentially facing six.
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Trump cuts Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by about 90% each
President Donald Trump signed proclamations reducing the two southern Utah monuments from more than 3.2 million acres combined to less than 303,000 acres, reversing protections restored by the Biden administration.
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Storm flooding again covers Lindenhurst streets near the waterfront
A July 6 storm flooded streets south of Montauk Avenue, including Surf Street and Beach Street, while residents described recurring inundation and moving vehicles to higher ground.
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Danvers moves to Level 5 outdoor water restrictions as water rates rise
Danvers began Level 5 outdoor water restrictions July 21, while FY2027 water and sewer rate increases began appearing on bills issued in July.
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Hancock cancels Key Ingredients street fair over air-quality concerns
Hancock canceled the 10th annual Key Ingredients Street Fair on July 16, one day before the Quincy Street event, citing air-quality concerns from wildfire smoke.
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Clark County submits Las Vegas Valley ozone plan to EPA
Clark County submitted a federal ozone-attainment plan for the Las Vegas Valley in July 2026, covering monitoring, transportation and emissions controls.
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Raleigh Keeps Stage 1 Water Restrictions in Place as Drought Continues
Raleigh’s Stage 1 water restrictions remain in effect after a July 9 update, affecting water use as the city manages continuing drought conditions and growth.
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Minnesota confirms zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake near Crosby
The Minnesota DNR confirmed zebra mussels in Manuel Mine Lake near Crosby on July 13, 2026, adding a new invasive-species concern for local lake users and recreation.