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Department of Interior

Grand Canyon bottled water ban starts March 10

Last updated Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 11:12am

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. -- Like so many others who visit the Grand Canyon each year, Jennifer and John Stambaugh of Illinois toted bottled water as they took in the views recently.

These bottles came from the tour company that bused them here from Las Vegas, but many visitors buy bottled water from shops in the park.

Concerned about the volume of plastic bottles in recycling bins and trash cans, not to mention discarded along roads and trails, the National Park Service is banning bottled water sales here as of March 10. The Stambaughs were unaware of that plan, but it made sense to them.

Bottled water, Department of Interior, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks, National Read more Comments

Mining advocates sue over ban near Grand Canyon

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 10:26am

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The National Mining Association and the Nuclear Energy Institute are suing the federal government over a 20-year ban on new hard rock mining claims near the Grand Canyon.

Business, Environment, Department of Interior, Grand Canyon, Ken Salazar, Lawsuit, Mining Read more Comments

Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona.

DOI releases study of coal plant on Navajo land

Felicia Fonseca The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 4:08pm

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Requiring a coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Nation to further regulate pollution would not force its retirement but would increase water rates for agricultural users and American Indian tribes by up to 16 percent, a study to be released Wednesday found.

Business, Air Pollution, Coal mining, Department of Interior, Power plant, EPA Read more Comments

The Orphan Mine is located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon between Maracopa Point and Powell Memorial.

US to limit mining near Grand Canyon

Matthew Daly The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, January 9, 2012 - 11:19am

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Interior Department is moving forward with a plan to ban new mining claims on 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon, even as congressional Republicans try to block efforts to limit mining operations in an area known for high-grade uranium ore.

Business, Environment, Department of Interior, Grand Canyon, Mining, Uranium, National Read more Comments

Feds push solar energy in Utah, West

Matthew Daly The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 1:52pm

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has identified 17 areas in six western states as prime candidates for solar energy projects on public lands.

Business, Department of Interior, Ken Salazar, Solar energy, Wilderness Read more Comments

2 Utah projects highlighted by Interior Department

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 8:07am

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Interior Department is highlighting two projects in Utah that are key parts of a push by President Barack Obama to encourage more outdoor recreation.

Department of Interior, Recreation, Utah Read more Comments

GOP-led bill opens up Grand Canyon area to mining

Felicia Fonseca The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - 11:55pm

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- A group of Republican lawmakers is renewing an effort to open up 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon to new mining claims.

Legislation announced Wednesday would prevent the Interior Department from extending a temporary ban on the filing of new mining claims that expires in December. The group said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's intention to set aside the land for 20 years would eliminate hundreds of potential jobs, create a de facto wilderness area and unravel decades of responsible resource development.

Business, Environment, Arizona, BLM, Department of Interior, Department of the Interior, Economy, Grand Canyon, Interior Department, Jobs, Ken Salazar, Mining, Tourism, Environmental concerns Read more Comments

Interior asks EPA to delay N. Arizona power plant proposal

Felicia Fonesca The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, July 15, 2011 - 2:10pm

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Interior Department is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to delay its decision on pollution controls for a northern Arizona coal plant while it studies the benefits of the plant and impacts of a potential shutdown.

The Bureau of Reclamation under Interior is the majority owner of the Navajo Generating Station near Page. The EPA is considering whether to require future reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions at the 2,250-megawatt plan on the Navajo Nation to improve visibility at places like the Grand Canyon.

Business, Air Pollution, Department of Interior, Power plant, EPA, National Read more Comments

Feds to refine plan on solar development zones

The Associated Press The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 1:22pm

DENVER -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says federal officials will refine a plan for speeding up solar energy development on public land in Utah and five other western states, after receiving roughly 80,000 public comments on the plan.

Business, Department of Interior, Mining, Solar energy Read more Comments