The Stream, August 12: Philippines Suspends Mines For Environmental Violations

The Global Rundown

A national review of mines in the Philippines led to the suspension of operations at nearly a dozen locations due to environmental concerns. It will take more than $6 billion to reach pollution reduction targets meant to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef, according to an Australian taskforce. Air strikes cut off water supplies to Raqqa, Syria, a stronghold of the Islamic State. A plan to install water meters could help farmers in Bangladesh pay less for irrigation. In Oklahoma, an agreement between the state and two Native American tribes resolved a five-year dispute over water rights.

“This is a big deal for our state. Having a sufficient and reliable supply of water is essential. It provides certainty for future development.” –Mary Fallin, the governor of Oklahoma, announcing a new agreement between the state and the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations ending a five-year legal battle over rights to water in Sardis Lake. The deal allows Oklahoma City to use water from the reservoir, but requires state officials to meet water level conservation requirements set by the tribes. (Associated Press)

By The Numbers

10 mines Number in the Philippines closed over the past month amid an environmental audit. Operations at the mines, most of them nickel ore producers, have been suspended for a variety of environmental violations, including degradation of coastal waters and deforestation. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

A report commissioned by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce estimates it will take $6.3 billion to meet pollution reduction targets set last year to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef. The targets call for a 50 percent reduction in sediment runoff and an 80 percent reduction in nitrogen by 2025. The Conversation

On The Radar

Water supplies were cut off to the Syrian city of Raqqa Thursday after a water pumping station was damaged by Russian air strikes, according to an activist group. The city is considered the capital of territory held by the Islamic State militant group. BBC News

The Bangladesh government plans to install more than 800 water meters over the next three years as part of a 60,258-hectare irrigation project. The meters will allow farmers to pay for the water they actually use, rather than paying a flat rate to private water pump owners for irrigation access. Reuters