Grasslands are considered a vital component of South Dakota's landscape. But on the heels of new research, an expert suggests they might not fare as well if the rate of drought patterns keeps intensifying.

Scott Collins, a University of New Mexico biology professor, helped co-author a new study that compared grasslands in North America and China, and their ability to recover from a drought. He said the areas they looked at in the United States performed better, despite some being in drier climates.

However, Collins warned that research is still evolving, and said if a warming planet produces more droughts, this is something grassland-heavy regions need to pay close attention to.

"Grasslands are underappreciated. They store a lot of carbon, they harbor a lot of biodiversity," he said. "We really need to think about their future under the climate regimes we're anticipating."

Research authors have said these findings could have broad implications for land management practices under the threat of climate change. Collins said South Dakota's grasslands are more comparable to China's than to the southern Plains states they studied. That means their productivity might suffer more if future drought predictions are accurate.

Collins said the group of researchers who teamed up for this project looked at impacts based on just one drought cycle. No matter how sensitive a grassland is to these conditions, he said, prolonged stretches of no rain -- with few gaps in between -- will eventually overwhelm the vegetation.

"As that happens," he added, "then you'll see a dramatic decline in production, and probably substantial changes in the composition of those grasses. "

Grasslands also contribute to agriculture, especially for livestock grazing. Such groups as the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition are working with area farmers to prepare for these scenarios. That includes tips from experts on how to better manage cattle on drought-stricken lands.

Minnesota has its own carbon emissions reduction goals in place but under a changing federal Environmental Protection Agency, it is an open question how stalled pollution enforcement will affect the Great Lakes region.

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are taking steps to limit the reach of the EPA, including loosening regulations for laws like the Clean Air Act, along with staffing cuts. Watchdogs said new federal cases targeting pollution violators have ground to a halt.

Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center and a former environmental crimes prosecutor who worked under both Republican and Democratic leadership, said it is unusual.

"The environmental laws require EPA, working with the states, to protect the environment," Learner explained. "Those laws apply regardless of who the president is."

States can try to fill gaps but Uhlmann noted history has shown the federal government sets the tone in going after violators. He argued diminished enforcement hurts communities' health and creates a competitive disadvantage for companies complying with federal orders. The agency's new leaders have said overhauls save taxpayers money and align with the President's promise to "unleash American energy."

Minnesota is one of six states in the EPA's Region Five, which Uhlmann described as one of the more active parts of the country for enforcement. He pointed out the Great Lakes have come a long way from their reputations as big, polluted waterways in the 1970s.

"Year in and year out, there's more enforcement cases brought in Region 5, and some of the biggest cases are brought in Region 5," Uhlmann emphasized. "Not because Region 5's more polluted than the rest of the United States, but EPA has committed more resources to the area. The population density is significant, the amount of industry is significant."

The Environmental Law and Policy Center said public polling indicates most Americans want clean air and water. Uhlmann underscored the bipartisan sentiments trace back to the Nixon White House creating the EPA. But with political forces now a factor, he urged private companies to hold firm.

"They need not to take advantage of this moment and put us at even greater risk," Uhlmann asserted. "They need to step up and say, 'You know what? The private sector has a responsibility here, too.' They need to be good stewards of the environment."


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CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story did not capture the correct scope of economic benefits identified in the Jacksonville University study. This update more accurately represents the study's findings on job creation and annual savings. (12:20 p.m. MDT, May 28, 2025)

The Florida Legislature's failure to pass a budget before adjourning has left key environmental projects in limbo, including a Senate-approved proposal to restore the Ocklawaha River by dismantling the Rodman Dam.

For residents like Samuel Carr, president of the Bartram Trail Society who fished the river before the dam's 1971 construction, the more than $6 million project represents a chance to revive what he called a "free-running wild river" from what he said he believes turned into "a mud hole."

"Since they put that dam in, 150 million gallons of fresh water doesn't come into the St. Johns River now per day, as it did before 1971," said Carr. "So, the restoration would literally turn the faucet back on to get that cool, clear water to the St. Johns River."

Carr noted the dam blocks 20 springs and forces periodic pollution releases into the St. Johns, which he said has suffered catastrophic algae blooms and lost critical eelgrass.

Lawmakers will reconvene sometime after June 2 to resume budget talks. The Senate has already approved the funding, but House approval remains uncertain amid broader disputes over tax cuts.

A study a study commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts and authored by a work group of subject matter experts, estimates the project would create hundreds of jobs during construction and ultimately generate nearly $20 million annually in outdoor recreation revenue - from fishing, kayaking, and wildlife tourism.

Former Putnam County Commissioner Linda Myers frames the restoration as an economic imperative for rural Florida.

"This area of northeast Florida has so many rivers that connect to the St. Johns and this specific structure, the dam, has actually eliminated some of that connectedness," said Myers. "So, opening that up would just give the opportunities - and here in Florida, we know the tourism dollars, we know how important they are."

Ecologically, the study also shows it would reconnect over 200 miles of river habitat and bring back 20 natural springs that have been drowned under the reservoir for decades. Myers believes the project aligns with lawmakers' stated priorities of water quality, conservation and leveraging Florida's tourism industry.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.



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There are more than 20,000 abandoned oil and gas wells scattered across West Virginia, putting communities at risk for water contamination and increased exposure to environmental pollutants.

State lawmakers said a new law will make it easier to fill those wells. Previously, state code required removal of mining infrastructure before wells could be plugged with cement and other materials.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey said at a recent news conference the new law will allow operators to fill wells without removing the largest mine shaft.

"This will provide operators with greater flexibility, especially when dealing with older wells in poor structural condition," Morrisey explained.

West Virginia historically has only been able to plug just a few wells a year because of lack of funding. Federal investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 has led to the plugging of around 275 wells within the last three years. The state's new well plugging law goes into effect July 10.

Morrisey noted safely plugging a well can cost between $60,000 and $200,000 but argued doing so is necessary because untreated wells can expose communities to harmful chemicals.

"Abandoned and orphan wells can pose a significant threat and safety risk and can potentially impact surface and groundwater drinking water sources, land and air quality," Morrisey outlined.

According to advocacy group West Virginia Rivers, more than half of West Virginians live within a mile of an active oil and gas well.


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