HPPR Environment

A new oil and gas study suggests that hundreds of traditional vertical oil wells in Oklahoma have been damaged by more recently drilled horizontal wells, dug for the purpose of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”

As a southwest Kansas farmer does his part to extend the life of the Ogallala Aquifer, his daughter is following suit - through an FFA project. 

As Kansas Agland reports, Dwane Roth of Holcomb changed his mind about the use of irrigation to water his corn crop a few years ago, after realizing that even though the top couple of inches of soil was dry, the water beneath it was sufficient to water his crop.

Some farmers and soil scientists are starting to realize that the most important thing you can do is view topsoil itself as a living thing.

As Politico reports, since the invention of the plow, farming has focused on tillage - disrupting the soil to make it productive.

Five Kansas universities will collaborate on an agricultural research project examining the role that microorganisms play in the environment.

As the Topeka Capital-Journal reports, the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University and Haskell Indian Nations University will cooperate on the $20 million research project, being funded by the National Science Foundation.

Nine southwest Kansas horses have tested positive for equine infectious anemia that requires euthanasia.

As The Garden City Telegram reports, equine infectious anemia or EIA is described by the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health as a an incurable, infectious viral disease that can be transmitted by blood-contaminated syringes, needles and surgical equipment, or by transfusion of infected blood, biting flies and mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, anemia and edema.

A southwest Kansas lake has been closed and two have been issued public health warnings due to blue-green algae blooms.

As the Topeka Capital-Journal reports, officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Thursday that Hodgeman State Fishing Lake, in Hodgeman County, was closed and Lake Scott State Park in Scott County and Sam’s Pond in Hamilton County were each issued public health warnings due to harmful algal blooms.

Barns are as much a symbol of the High Plains as the plains themselves and while many old barns are being replaced with metal sheds and outbuildings, there are ways to give barns a new shot at life.

According to the Center for Rural Affairs, financial assistance through state and federal tax credits may be available to help aid in the process of restoring an old barn.

There are several steps to be taken, however.

Friday was the official start of Colorado’s dove hunting season and because the Arkansas Valley of southeast Colorado is so vast, scouting for the birds is essential – at least according to two hunters.

Plans for the largest wind farm in the U.S. to be built in the Oklahoma Panhandle were recently announced by developers, but military air bases are pushing back.

As State Impact reports, the western part of Oklahoma is an ideal place for military flight training because of its wide open skies.

The deer population in south-central Kansas is being tested for a fatal disease.

As The Wichita Eagle reports, two deer from Stafford County tested positive for chronic wasting disease – or CWD -  a contagious disease that’s always fatal to deer, elk and moose.

A new law in Texas would allow hunters to shoot feral hogs and coyotes from hot air balloons. But now, balloonists in the Lone Star State are refusing to offer the opportunity to participate in the activity, citing logistical problems.

The Texas Tribune recently spoke with many balloonists and insurers across the state, and they all said they hadn’t heard of anyone planning to hunt hogs from hot air balloons.

Beethoven loved being close to nature, and often left Vienna to work in the country. These rural sabbaticals inspired Beethoven's only programmatic work: Symphony No. 6, also known as the "Pastorale." We'll hear this monumental work this week on Amarillo Symphony Presents.

The Texas Panhandle may be headed for an ecological disaster.

As The Texas Observer reports, the Llano Estacado could be undone by conservation efforts put in place to save the region from the Dust Bowl. At issue is the Texas Panhandle’s natural predilection for encouraging wildfires.

Traditionally, Evangelicals in America have been one of the most resistant groups to the idea of climate change and global warming. In fact, according to The Guardian, only one in four evangelicals believes that there is consensus in the scientific community regarding climate change.

Tiny mussel larvae in Colorado’s Green Mountain Reservoir has water managers concerned that the invasive species will impact not only water-based recreation, but also drinking water, statewide.

Hurricane Harvey and the massive flooding in Texas are driving up gas prices in Kansas and nationwide.

At least 10 oil refineries near the Gulf Coast, representing about 15 percent of the nation’s refining capacity, are shut down.

If you’ve passed a gas station lately, you’ve seen it. Gas prices are inching up.

Jennifer Haugh with AAA Kansas says they’re tracking changes daily.

"Overall Kansas average, we’ve gone up a nickel so far," Haugh says. "We are definitely still behind the national average that’s jumping too, so we are still in a good place."