Interior Newswire Report News


Comer Threatens Subpoena to Obtain Information on John Kerry’s Role in the Biden Administration

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a final letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken requesting all documents and information related to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry’s role within the Biden Administration. John Kerry continues to negotiate deals with foreign governments, including the Chinese Communist Party, that potentially undermine the United States’ interests and the Biden Administration has refused to respond to Committee requests for information on Kerry’s powerful, unchecked position.


Wenstrup Leads Response to Attempted Interference in COVID-19 Origins Investigation by Chinese Embassy

Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and all Republican members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic are requesting the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China make five Chinese scientists available for in-person, transcribed interviews related to the origins of COVID-19. Earlier this month, the Chinese Embassy contacted Chairman Wenstrup’s staff expressing firm opposition and “grave concern” with the Select Subcommittee’s COVID-19 origins hearing and called on Chairman Wenstrup to conduct an investigation based on “science.”


Reclamation reopens Angels Creek Launch at New Melones Lake

The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled the reopening of Angels Creek Launch in New Melones Lake’s Glory Hole Recreation Area on Saturday, May 6. Significant precipitation during the winter and spring of this year increased reservoir elevations allowing usability of the boat launch ramp after several years of drought. New docks are presently being built for the launch and should be available soon.


Streamflow in Big Thompson Canyon expected to be above average in spring, early summer

The Bureau of Reclamation anticipates allowing the majority of Big Thompson River water to pass through Lake Estes this spring and early summer, resulting in higher-than-average streamflows in the Big Thompson Canyon during the 2023 snowmelt season.


Reclamation releases Yakima basin May water supply forecast

The Bureau of Reclamation’s May 2023 water supply forecast for the Yakima basin indicates the water supply will be adequate to meet irrigation demands this season. The May–September total water supply available would provide senior water rights 100% of entitlements and junior water rights 86% of entitlements, an increase from last month.


Reclamation continually monitoring Hyrum Dam spillway; ready to take action if needed

Because of record snowpack and projected record high runoff into Hyrum Reservoir, the Bureau of Reclamation is conducting around-the-clock monitoring of the spillway at Hyrum Dam, as operators are releasing a high volume of water through the spillway to help manage the reservoir’s water level as warm temperatures have significantly increased snowmelt and runoff into the reservoir.


Biden-Harris administration to replace Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant

The Bureau of Reclamation announces a $56 million investment from the President’s Investing in America agenda for the construction of a replacement Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant. Originally built in 1991, the plant removes heavy metals from contaminated water caused by mining operations in the Leadville area. It has since reached its service life, and this investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will ensure the plant continues to protect water supply.


Biden-Harris Administration breaks ground on Boone Reach trunk line of Arkansas Valley Conduit

The Bureau of Reclamation today broke ground on the Boone Reach trunk line of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), a major infrastructure project under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that will bring clean, reliable drinking water to 39 communities in southeastern Colorado.


Temporary road closure at Canyon Ferry Dam to help facilitate required maintenance and repairs

The Bureau of Reclamation will close access to all traffic across Canyon Ferry Dam on Montana State Highway 284, May 8-11, from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. The temporary road closure will allow Reclamation to safely conduct operations necessary to complete project work on the dam infrastructure.


LA District enters 50-year shoreline protection agreement with City of San Clemente

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District commander joined U.S. Rep. Mike Levin and San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan to sign a ceremonial project partnership agreement May 4 to protect the San Clemente shoreline.


Percy Priest superheroes tool around for recreation

A team of superheroes at J. Percy Priest Lake are known for tooling around campgrounds and recreation areas while repairing and maintaining facilities, often saving the day by unclogging a restroom sink, fixing a leaky water line, or restoring power at a campsite.


Ribbon cutting planned for Clover Island Improvement Project

The Community is invited on Friday, May 12, to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, and its partners, the Port of Kennewick, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, City of Kennewick, Benton County, and Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office in celebrating the completion of the Clover Island Improvement Project. Festivities include a ribbon cutting, a public reception at the lighthouse plaza and scenic overlooks. Participants should RSVP to the port office.


Fort Peck releases to decline during maintenance

Releases from Fort Peck Dam will be reduced from 9,000 cubic feet per second to 6,000 cfs on May 22. Releases will be increased back to 9,000 cfs on June 2. If the maintenance work is completed early, releases will return to 9,000 cfs as soon as possible.


U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to increase activity on Jana Elementary property

The public will start to see an increase in activity on Jana Elementary School property in the next few weeks as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Louis District prepares to start remediation work in the banks of Coldwater Creek under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).


USACE announces virtual BBSEER Project Delivery Team Meeting May 18

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District invites Project Delivery Team members, stakeholders, partners, and members of the public to attend a virtual Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration (BBSEER) Project study on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m.


USACE seeks comments on proposed work in Lighthouse Pond in Edgartown

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District received a permit application to conduct work in waters of the United States from the Town of Edgartown for proposed work in Lighthouse Pond near North Water Street in Edgartown, Mass.


USACE announces public comment on proposed alum treatment system for C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir pursuant to Section 408

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District announces a 30-day public comment period for the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the approval of construction of an aluminum sulfate (alum) treatment system during the construction of the authorized C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir (WBSR) in Hendry County, Florida. The Corps is evaluating the request from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to modify the C-43 WBSR Federal Civil Works project pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408.


Workshop tackles recent energy policy updates, changes

Attendees at the 2023 U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Resource Efficiency Managers workshop received their marching orders to meet Department of Defense policy changes leveraging resources to mitigate carbon emissions and contribute towards net-zero goals.


NAVIGATION NOTICE SWL 23-21 McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System

The tow haulage equipment at Arthur V. Ormond Lock (No. 9) NM 176.9 is currently out of service. Double cut tows will have to be locked the conventional way (without the use of tow haulage). A subsequent navigation notice will be issued when the tow haulage equipment is back in service.


New York District Contributes to New York State Hurricane Evacuation Study

A comprehensive New York State (NYS) Hurricane Evacuation Study is being conducted by a partnership between the National Hurricane Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and the State of New York. The study aims to provide data, resources, and technical assistance for hurricane evacuation planning and response for state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal government partners.