District Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction to Halt EPA “WOTUS” Rule

On August 27, 2015, a North Dakota Federal District Court Judge granted a preliminary injunction to halt the implementation of EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ new rule expanding the definition of “waters of the United States,” which was slated to take effect August 28, 2015. The action was brought […]

Increased Oversight of Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Needed to Protect Water Resources

On July 16, 2015, the Office of Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency released the report Protecting America’s Waters: Enhanced EPA Oversight and Action Can Further Protect Water Resources from the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing. The report evaluated how the EPA and states use existing authorities to regulate […]

The Food Sector and Global Water Risks

In May, Ceres issued the report Feeding Ourselves Thirsty: How the Food Sector is Managing Global Water Risks, which addresses the challenges faced by the food industry from growing threats of water scarcity and pollution. The food sector uses approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater resources. Competition, climate change, aging […]

Livestock Production in the Public Eye: Losing a Market Through Popular Media

In an age where vast amounts of information are available at the touch of a button, the public is looking for low-priced food that meets a media driven feel-good standard. Agriculture must strike a balance, and using traditional and social media, create and reinforce a message that will inform and […]

Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals on Drinking Water

On June 4, 2015, EPA issued the Draft Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources. The Report is open for public comment and peer review. Since its release, EPA also released a supporting draft database that contains information on the 1,173 […]

The War of Escalating Bans: A look at the King bills filed in response to Denton, Texas

    As you know, the City of Denton, Texas voted to enact an ordinance banning the use of hydraulic fracturing as a completion method within the city limits.  That ordinance is now in effect but subject to two pending suits filed by the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) […]

Keeping it Wild

Texas recently made an enormous acquisition of a key tract on the Texas coast.  The Powderhorn Ranch comprises more than 17,000 acres of pristine areas for fishing, birds, hunting and just dropping into the green expanse.  Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation took the lead but there are many many partners […]