The Stream, December 22: China Sues Local Environmental Department On Oversight Failure

The Global Rundown

China is pursuing a lawsuit against a local environmental department over its failure to address pollution, the first time the country has sued a government department in a public interest case. India is considering a law to limit groundwater and surface water use, Australia approved the expansion of a controversial coal terminal in Queensland, and the former head of an organization that managed watersheds for the city of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in a corruption case. Researchers found more evidence that drinking water in Flint, Michigan, is related to high levels of lead in local children’s blood. A study of marsh plants suggests coastal marshes may be able to keep up with rising sea levels.

“In order to set parameters over the usage of river water and underground water there is a need for a legislation.”–Uma Bharti, India’s minister of water resources, on a committee that has been created to study possible laws to limit the amount of water taken from rivers and aquifers, as well as laws to regulate the quality of water discharged into rivers. (NDTV)

By The Numbers

$999,000 Amount accepted in kickbacks by the former executive director of the Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation in New Jersey, who pleaded guilty in a corruption case Monday. The organization managed reservoirs and their watersheds for the city of Newark. Bloomberg

Science, Studies, And Reports

Neighborhoods in Flint, Michigan with the highest levels of lead in their tap water are the same neighborhoods where children have the highest levels of lead in their blood, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Researchers say the study provides further evidence that a switch in the city’s water source is sickening children. Associated Press

Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allow marsh plants to create and trap more soil, possibly keeping the marshes above rising sea levels, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings suggest that marshes may be able to withstand climate change better than previously thought. Yale Environment 360

On The Radar

China filed a lawsuit against a local environmental protection department due to its failure to regulate pollution from a sewage company. It is the first public interest lawsuit filed by the country against a government department. Reuters

Australia’s environment minister approved the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal, which will allow more coal to be exported from mines in Queensland. Following strong public opposition, sediment dredged from the project will now be disposed of on land, instead of in waters near the Great Barrier Reef. Guardian

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek