Peggy Miller, a West Missoula herbalist, told the county commissioners a comprehensive USGS-style aquifer study is needed to find vulnerable spots and urged officials to review potential water use by data centers, which she said can consume water equivalent to 50,000–100,000 homes.

After an extended technical review, the Town of Fishkill Planning Board voted 6–1 to have consultants prepare an EAF Part 3 and a draft negative declaration for the proposed Fishkill Commerce Center and set a public hearing for Sept. 10, 2026. Members expressed sharp disagreement over the project's scale and potential aquifer impacts.

Groveland approved a three‑year temporary license allowing National Grid to stage materials at 150 Center Street for a transmission project, starting at $150,000 per year. Residents urged caution, citing wellhead protection (Zone 2), wetland buffers, endangered species habitat and compaction risks; the board recorded a 3‑in‑favor, 1‑opposed, 1‑absent vote and required permitting and inspections.

Commission staff told the Barnstable County Assembly that Cape Cod’s sole-source aquifer recharges about 450 million gallons per day but that seasonal peak demand, permitting limits and limited suitable land complicate meeting summer needs. Staff recommended a dynamic groundwater model and regional aquifer protection planning.

Town liaison and board members said the Suffolk County Water Authority will hold public hearings on a proposed new well and transmission line; they urged public review of the environmental impact statement and said model results should be closely examined for aquifer impacts.

Multiple residents told the planning board they are worried about noise, wildlife and potential groundwater impacts from the proposed battery storage site; the board asked the applicant for a sound study, an emergency response letter from the fire department and a decommissioning plan.

At a lengthy public hearing on the county's water‑use and preservation element, residents urged the commission to include explicit climate projections and stronger protections for sole‑source aquifers; planning staff said the element focuses on demand and conservation and will be revised with public comments.

Council outlines plans for aquifer protection and critical areas in West Plains development.

House Bill 4,459 would let permitted water users enroll in a five‑year averaging program requiring qualified measurement systems (meters or approved pumps/portable metering); members debated whether a 200% one‑year allowance risks aquifer depletion and discussed possible lower caps and fiscal responsibilities for portable metering.

A Seward City Council public hearing on a proposed 13-lot subdivision at 238 and Bluff Road was tabled after residents raised concerns about the Dakota aquifer and the planning commission had previously postponed action pending additional water studies.

A water-resources analyst told Barnstable County commissioners the Cape Cod region remains under a Level 2 drought declaration (based on February data), urging conservation, supplier interconnections and regional planning because Outer Cape freshwater lenses are thin and vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.

The Planning Board authorized the chair to sign an amended MRPC scope of work that shifts the overlay project toward a GIS-based evaluation of existing parcels and light recommendations. At length the board discussed appropriate uses, lot sizes, MBTA zoning implications, aquifer protections, open‑space/clustered development, and strict limits on on

Danner's Creek Development asked the Lawrenceburg City Council and Utility Service Board on Oct. 27 for a grading permit to excavate Borrow Area 6 (about 30 acres) to supply soil to cap a former Tanners Creek fly ash pond. Third-party reviewer Atlas told the board it needs a formal hydrogeologic opinion before the city votes; the council agreed to拿

Chamwe Kaira  SLR Environmental Consulting Namibia, commissioned by Osino Gold Exploration and Mining, has completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for groundwater abstraction from the Kranzberg Aquifer near Usakos in the Erongo Region.  The assessment found that with recommended mitigation measures, the residual impacts are low to very low. SLR said the mitigation plan follows a hierarchy: avoiding sensitive areas first, then reducing impacts, and finally rehabilitating disturbed sites.  The firm considers the EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) robust enough for MAFWLR and MEFT to make informed decisions. Osino is developing the Twin Hills Gold Project about 25 km northeast of Karibib in Erongo. To secure water for mining operations, Osino conducted water supply investigations near the mine and sought alternative sources to reduce pressure on local water in the water-scarce central areas of Namibia. Namibia Water Corporation Limited (NamWater), working with Osino, confirmed the feasibility of abstracting groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer.  This supports expanding the Kranzberg Water Supply Scheme, operated by NamWater, which Osino plans to use for the Twin Hills Gold Mine. The Twin Hills project is expected to contribute significantly to Namibia’s economy. During construction, it will employ between 1 000 and 1 500 people, and about 450 will work during operations.  The mine’s lifespan is estimated at a minimum of 16 years, providing jobs and income for workers and their families.

Commissioners reviewed a draft water preservation element required by the state, debated whether it should focus on demand management or include supply/infrastructure (Cisco, Thompson Springs, Colorado River), and asked staff to coordinate with agencies and return after regional Colorado River negotiations conclude.