Mine opponents to ask Minnesota Supreme Court to void permit
November 29, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday on an attempt by environmental groups to cancel a key permit for a long-stalled copper-nickel mine.
Houston lifts boil-water order affecting more than 2 million
November 29, 2022 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — Houston officials lifted an order Tuesday that had called for more than 2 million people in the nation's fourth-largest city to boil their tap water before drinking or using it.
The boil order had been in effect since Sunday, when a power outage at a purification plant caused pressure to drop.
Enbridge will pay $11 million to settle pipeline violations
October 17, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Enbridge Energy, the owner and operator of the Line 3 pipeline project in northern Minnesota, will pay more than $11 million after investigations identified water quality violations and three aquifer breaches related to the pipeline's construction, state regulators said Monday.
NYC housing complex water OK after incorrect arsenic reading
September 10, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Water at a public housing complex is OK to drink after earlier tests incorrectly showed the presence of arsenic, city officials said Saturday.
A tweeted video showed Mayor Eric Adams and another official drinking glasses of water from a tap at the Jacob Riis Houses.
State agrees to upgrade fish hatchery over pollution fears
September 8, 2022 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire has agreed to make upgrades at its largest fish hatchery as part of a proposed settlement following allegations that the facility was polluting nearby waterways, the U.S.
Boil water advisory partially lifted in Baltimore
September 8, 2022 GMTBALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore officials lifted a boil water advisory Wednesday night in some parts of the affected area, days after E. coli bacteria was detected in some samples of the water supply.
The city’s Department of Public Works encouraged residents of the affected area on Monday to boil water used for drinking or cooking after the discovery of the bacteria, which is often spread during contact with feces.
Dead fish in San Francisco Bay Area blamed on toxic red tide
August 31, 2022 GMTOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — An unprecedented red tide in the San Francisco Bay Area is killing thousands of fish and other marine life whose carcasses are washing ashore, creating a foul odor that experts say could get worse during this weekend’s expected heat wave.
Southern California lake closed because of toxic algae bloom
August 21, 2022 GMTLAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) — Southern California's Lake Elsinore has been closed to swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing due to an algae bloom that produces toxins that could be harmful to people and animals, officials said.
US launches process to set Idaho mercury pollution standards
August 11, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing proposed aquatic life water quality standards for mercury pollution in Idaho that could have statewide ramifications.
The agency on Wednesday made public a proposed remedy resulting from a federal court’s 2021 ruling in a lawsuit by the Portland, Oregon-based Northwest Environmental Advocates and the Boise, Idaho-based Idaho Conservation League.
Audit: California too slow to fix contaminated water systems
July 26, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The water that comes out of the tap for more than 900,000 Californians is unsafe to drink and the state isn't acting fast enough to help clean it up, state auditors said in a report released Tuesday.
Washington Ecology, seafood processor agree to $92K penalty
July 12, 2022 GMTOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A seafood processing company west of Aberdeen, Washington, will pay more than $92,000 in a settlement agreement over water quality violations, Washington state ecology officials said.
Grain terminal settles lawsuit over storm water discharges
June 24, 2022 GMTLONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A Longview, Washington grain terminal will pay nearly $1 million after settling a lawsuit with the Columbia Riverkeeper that claimed the terminal operated without necessary permits meant to monitor river pollution.
Oregon hikes Port of Morrow water pollution fine to $2.1M
June 18, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations.
Washington fines Portland contractor for water quality issue
June 14, 2022 GMTOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state ecology officials fined a Portland contractor $135,000 for repeated water quality violations while working at Ridgefield’s Vista Ridge subdivision.
The fines were levied by the Washington Department of Ecology for violations that occurred from September 2021 to February 2022, the Columbian reported.
Oregon county declares emergency over water contamination
June 11, 2022 GMTBOARDMAN, Ore. (AP) — Officials in Oregon's Morrow County along the Columbia River have declared a local state of emergency after private well testing showed high levels of nitrate contamination.
EPA to give $60M to 12 states to help curb water pollution
June 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government said Friday that it will distribute $60 million among 12 states that have waterways that flow into the Mississippi River to help them control farm runoff and other pollution that contribute to a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
Water company fined $1.2M for sewage discharge in New Mexico
June 9, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Environment Department announced Thursday that it has fined El Paso Water $1.2 million for allegedly discharging more than 1 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Rio Grande in Sunland Park.
EPA moves to give states, tribes more power to protect water
June 2, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday proposed undoing a Trump-era rule that limited the power of states and Native American tribes to block energy projects like natural gas pipelines based on their potential to pollute rivers and streams.
Weyerhaeuser settles suit for $600K over water violations
May 12, 2022 GMTLONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Timber company Weyerhaeuser will pay $600,000 after reaching a settlement with conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper, despite denying allegations it had broken Washington state water quality laws.
State regulators approve large hog farm in Crawford County
May 10, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit for a new factory farm in southwestern Wisconsin, a region known for its rolling hills and clear trout streams.
Howard “AV” Roth plans to construct a second hog farm, this one capable of producing up to 140,000 piglets a year.
Mexico closes US gravel quarry that had been pressured
May 6, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government said Friday it has closed a limestone gravel quarry owned by a U.S. company, a move likely to add fuel to an ongoing trade dispute with the firm.
The Environment Department said Friday it closed the quarry owned by Vulcan Materials near Playa del Carmen, on the Caribbean coast.
CEO of Florida’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center resigns
May 4, 2022 GMTJUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The director of a nonprofit research and environmental center in Florida has resigned amid continuing water-quality issues in sea turtle rehabilitation tanks and an exodus of staff.
EPA recommends against reissuing permit for PolyMet mine
May 3, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Federal regulators recommended Tuesday that the Army Corps of Engineers decline to reissue a key permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine, saying the project could raise levels of mercury and other pollutants downstream from the site in northeastern Minnesota.
Maine governor signs bill letting tribe regulate its water
April 21, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Passamaquoddy Tribe reservation in Maine has been granted authority to regulate its drinking water, opening the door to greater sovereignty.
Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law on Thursday that gives the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point the right to secure clean drinking water by drilling wells on tribe-owned land and working with the U.S.
Minnesota Supreme Court to hear challenge in PolyMet case
April 20, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear a challenge by environmentalists over portions of a lower court ruling involving a key permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine.
Cooling pond at North Dakota radar station seeks input
April 19, 2022 GMTCAVALIER, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on a draft environmental assessment of a proposed cooling pond at a military radar station at Cavalier Space Force Station, in remote northeastern North Dakota.
Maine proposal to let tribe regulate drinking water advances
April 13, 2022 GMT(AP) — The Maine Senate on Wednesday joined the House in voting to give the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point the right to regulate its own drinking water following years of complaints about water quality.
Nearly 6,400 acres of forest north of Squam Lake preserved
April 11, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, N.H. (AP) — Nearly 6,400 acres of forest and water resources just north of Squam Lake in central New Hampshire are now protected and will be managed as a working forest while ensuring public recreational access, the Conservation Fund and the state Division of Forests and Lands said Monday.
Ohio legislation eases state regulation of some streams
April 5, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State regulation of streams that flow temporarily after rainfall would be restricted under proposed Ohio legislation months in the works.
Construction companies, the mining industry and other business groups say removing so-called ephemeral streams from regulation would make Ohio's practice consistent with federal law.
Lawsuit settled in Texas child’s brain-eating amoeba death
March 31, 2022 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A Texas city has settled a lawsuit with the parents of a 3-year-old boy who died last September after being infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba that was found at a splash pad he'd visited.
Hydropower eyes bigger energy role, less environmental harm
March 19, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — In southwestern Pennsylvania, eight locks and dams that for decades helped barges move goods along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers will in a few years also generate enough power for 75,000 homes.
Town votes to remove dam on Oyster River
March 9, 2022 GMTDURHAM, N.H. (AP) — The town of Durham has voted to remove a dam on the Oyster River, after more than a decade of discussion and a failed petition effort to save it.
The vote at Tuesday's town elections to remove the Mill Pond dam was approved 1,706 to 596.
Farmer watershed groups invite public to virtual meeting
February 27, 2022 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s three farmer watershed groups are inviting the public, legislators and their members to attend their annual meeting next week that's being held virtually.
The meeting of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance and the Franklin and Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance takes place Thursday at 6 p.m.
Officials: More than 80 starving manatees in rehab across US
February 23, 2022 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — More than 80 rescued Florida manatees are in rehabilitation centers across the U.S. as wildlife officials try to stem starvation deaths by the marine mammals because of poor water quality.
Sewage spill shuts down beaches in Southern California
February 21, 2022 GMTNEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A stretch of Southern California beach was closed Monday to swimmers and surfers after up to 50,000 gallons (189,270 liters) of raw sewage spilled into nearby waters, authorities said.
SeaWorld ramps up care for threatened Florida manatees
February 4, 2022 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The SeaWorld theme park in Orlando is opening new pools to care for Florida manatees that are dying from starvation due to poor water quality in their normal habitat.
The lovable, round-tailed marine mammals had their worst die-off last year, more than 1,100 of them, and there are federal and state efforts ongoing to save the threatened creatures.
Kentucky to receive nearly $104M to clean up abandoned wells
February 3, 2022 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky will receive almost $104 million in federal funding to help clean up abandoned oil and gas wells around the state, officials said.
The funding will come from the Department of the Interior through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, state and federal officials said.
US pushes for better tap water but must win over wary public
January 30, 2022 GMTST. LOUIS (AP) — Angela Stamps won’t drink water from her faucet, showers less and no longer takes the baths she once found relaxing. She doesn’t cook with tap water and sometimes skips rinsing her produce.
Judge: DNR can continue PFAS sampling, but can’t enforce
January 26, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON, Wis. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources can continue to test wastewater for PFAS but can't take legal action against polluters until state lawmakers set water quality standards for the compounds, a Jefferson County judge ruled.
Court offers mixed views on water permit for Minnesota mine
January 24, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota appeals court on Monday issued a mixed opinion in a complicated case contesting one of the key permits that a St. Paul-based company needs to build what would be the state’s first copper-nickel mine.
EPA to review NC permit OKs at hog farms collecting gas
January 14, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal regulators have agreed to investigate whether the North Carolina Department of Environment Quality violated the rights of minority residents and poor people living near farms where it approved plans to capture gas from hog waste.
Environment groups, company settle lawsuit over landfill
January 14, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Two environmental groups have settled a federal lawsuit with a waste management company over allegations the company’s landfill in New Hampshire leaked toxic chemicals into a nearby river.
Judge: Lawsuit can proceed against Flint water contractor
January 10, 2022 GMTFLINT, Mich. (AP) — A judge on Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against an engineering company, which is accused of not doing enough to stop the flow of lead-contaminated water in Flint in 2015.
More beaches reopen after Southern California sewage spill
January 4, 2022 GMTLONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — More Southern California beaches have been reopening after a large sewage spill shut off large segment of the coastline before New Year's Day.
Orange County's health care agency on Monday lifted closures for Seal Beach and Sunset Beach once testing showed the water quality was acceptable, said Julie MacDonald, an agency spokesperson.
West Virginia grants key permit for controversial pipeline
December 31, 2021 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection approved a water quality permit for a controversial natural gas pipeline on Thursday.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline's planned 300-mile route cuts through West Virginia and Virginia.
Herbicides in Lake Tahoe? Invasive plants provoke debate
December 24, 2021 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — As invasive plants encroach on the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, officials are weighing whether to use aquatic herbicides for the first time to contain their growth and prevent them from clouding the waters.
Oregon fines Da Yang Seafood 105K for discharge into river
December 24, 2021 GMTASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — Da Yang Seafood has been fined $105,000 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for improperly discharging wastewater into the Columbia River.
The state says the violations happened 32 times between June 2018 and June 2021 from the seafood processor’s facility at Pier 2 at the Port of Astoria.
Conservation groups to sue EPA over manatee deaths
December 20, 2021 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Three conservation groups filed a formal notice on Monday of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it doesn't take steps to protect manatees from water pollution in Florida.
Iowa, Nebraska get millions in EPA water improvement funds
December 2, 2021 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is getting $110.7 million and Nebraska $63.4 million from the federal government to upgrade water systems and improve water quality, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday.
EPA outlines $7.4B for water infrastructure headed to states
December 2, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — States, Native American tribes and U.S. territories will receive $7.4 billion in 2022 to improve water quality and access, the first installment from the infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law last month, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday.
Funding awarded to 10 projects to improve water quality
November 30, 2021 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Ten projects that aim to improve water quality in eastern Kentucky have received funding, officials said.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday that more than $2.5 million would go to one city and six utilities for projects in Floyd, Magoffin and Johnson counties.
Settlement: Old toxic cables to be removed from Lake Tahoe
November 25, 2021 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — AT&T’s Pac Bell subsidiary has settled a lawsuit conservationists filed under a U.S. law more typically cited in Superfund cases, agreeing to spend up to $1.5 million to remove 8 miles (12.9 kilometers) of toxic telephone cables that were abandoned on the bottom of Lake Tahoe decades ago.
Indiana environmental chief leaving for federal agency job
November 20, 2021 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The head of Indiana’s environmental oversight department for the past five years is leaving that position for a job with the federal government.
The governor’s office announced this past week that Bruno Pigott is resigning as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management effective Dec.
Gov DeSantis proposes over $1.5B for environmental projects
November 16, 2021 GMTNAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday proposed spending more than $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration, coastal resiliency efforts and other environmental projects in the coming state budget.
Water quality grants available to Vermont farmers
November 14, 2021 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Grant funding is available to Vermont farmers for capital improvements that benefit water quality, according to a state program.
Water quality grants of $5,000 to $40,000 are available to eligible farmers for supporting long-term success by enhancing manure management, reducing runoff and promoting soil health, the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program said.
Grant will fund post-Ida water quality study by Tulane
November 13, 2021 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tulane University has been awarded a grant to study how pollutants from Hurricane Ida flood waters may have affected south Louisiana ground water and water systems.
The university says in a news release that the National Science Foundation grant will fund work by Samendra Sherchan, associate professor of environmental health sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
North Carolina AG sues 14 companies over fire suppressant
November 4, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Lawsuits filed by North Carolina's attorney general against 14 manufacturers of a fire suppressant claim the makers caused a public nuisance, created a design defect, failed to warn their customers and fraudulently transferred corporate assets to shield their profits, a news release said Thursday.
State OK’s open-pit mine site’s reclamation plan near Tucson
October 31, 2021 GMTTUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A reclamation plan for a proposed new copper open-pit mine's site on the western slope of the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson has received state approval over opponents' objections that Hudbay Minerals Inc.
Plan to heal Barnegat Bay, which has been ‘loved to death’
October 26, 2021 GMTBERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Governments, academics and scientists are proposing an ambitious effort to improve the health of Barnegat Bay, the fragile New Jersey waterway that “has been loved to death.”
State seeks input on clean water spending priorities
October 24, 2021 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont residents are being asked for their input on how to spend about $46.9 million to clean up water pollution in the state.
Kentucky man, firm charged again with water quality offense
October 17, 2021 GMTBOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man and a company face a federal charge claiming a water quality offense in a sinkhole similar to what they pleaded guilty to in 2013.
California’s ‘Surf City USA’ beach reopens after oil spill
October 11, 2021 GMTHUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Surfers and swimmers returned to the waves Monday at a popular Southern California beach that was shut for more than a week after an undersea pipeline leaked crude oil into the ocean.
Public meeting on ANR’s plans for COVID relief funding
October 3, 2021 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is hosting a public meeting to discuss a variety of environmental topics, including the agency's plan to invest about $100 million in COVID-19 relief funding on water infrastructure projects.
Springfield water commission receives $250M EPA loan
September 16, 2021 GMTSPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has received a $250 million federal infrastructure loan.
The loan is designed to help the agency improve water quality and reliability by rehabilitating aging infrastructure throughout the system.
Conservation group creating oyster reef off Phippsburg
September 12, 2021 GMTPHIPPSBURG, Maine (AP) — A group wants to create an oyster reef off the coast of Phippsburg to improve water quality, protect a shoreline from storm surges and act as a habitat for other smaller shellfish.
Sensors provide a real-time glimpse at Chicago River quality
September 2, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Rowers, kayakers and other users of the Chicago River are getting a real-time look at one measure of water quality in the system that weaves through downtown and several neighborhoods.
Minnesota court deals yet another setback to pipeline foes
August 30, 2021 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed a decision by state pollution regulators to issue a water quality certification for Enbridge Energy's Line 3 crude oil pipeline, the latest setback for opponents who are trying to stop the project as it nears completion.
Maine Democrats break with governor in fight over dam
August 26, 2021 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Members of the Maine Legislature have proposed a bill to block Gov. Janet Mills’ administration from enforcing regulations that they say threaten to shutdown a key dam on the Kennebec River and a local mill nearby.
Lake Tahoe ski resort expansion blocked by appeals court
August 26, 2021 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — A California appeals court has blocked the expansion of Lake Tahoe’s famed Squaw Valley ski resort because the development plan fails to adequately address potential harm to air and water quality, as well as increased noise levels and traffic in the area.
USDA head visits Vermont, hears about farm runoff reductions
August 19, 2021 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont officials told the U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary on Thursday that farm efforts to reduce phosphorus runoff and federal money to support that work are paying off to improve the water quality of Lake Champlain.
Drought threatens Hungarian lake with environmental crisis
August 14, 2021 GMTGARDONY, Hungary (AP) — Lake Velence, a shallow, freshwater lake in central Hungary, is a haven for over 100 types of birds, dozens of species of fish and throngs of tourists who come to bathe in its waters for relief from the hot summers.
Agency officials OK restoration plan for forest, grasslands
July 31, 2021 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Forest Service officials in New Mexico have approved a plan for restoration of wetlands and areas along waterways in the Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe national forests and the Kiowa National Grasslandx.
State investigating common carp deaths in Michigan lake
July 31, 2021 GMTLAKE ORION, Mich. (AP) — State officials are investigating the deaths of hundreds of adult common carp at an Oakland County lake.
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources said between 250 and 500 of the fish have been found dead since mid-July in Lake Orion, northwest of Detroit.
Meeting planned to discuss options for dam on Elkhorn Creek
July 28, 2021 GMTGEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — A public workshop is planned to discuss options for an aging dam on the north fork of Elkhorn Creek, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said.
Warnings issued for 2 ponds with high bacteria, 1 with algae
July 24, 2021 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Swimmers are being urged to avoid ponds in Foster and Kingston that have high levels of bacteria, the Rhode Island Department of Health said Friday.
The department recommended the closure of Dyer Woods Campground Beach in Foster and Larkin’s Pond Beach Club.
Critics bid to overturn approval of Tahoe resort expansion
July 23, 2021 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — Environmental lawyers are urging a California appellate court to overturn a pair of district court rulings that handed significant victories to the Squaw Valley ski resort as it moves forward with expansion plans critics say will dramatically increase traffic in the area and harm Lake Tahoe’s air and water quality.
Des Moines water officials lift water-use restriction
July 15, 2021 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials at the public water system for the city of Des Moines have lifted a call for customers to limit lawn watering by 25% as drought conditions have eased.
Des Moines Water Works lifted that call on Thursday after implementing it last month when the flow of its major water source, the Raccoon River, dropped to less than 300 cubic feet per second — a drastic drop from the river's median flow of 4,000 cubic feet per second.
Rehabbed mama manatee and her calf set free in Florida river
July 15, 2021 GMTORANGE CITY, Fla. (AP) — A baby manatee and its injured mother are now swimming in Florida's St. Johns River after undergoing four months of rehabilitation at Sea World Orlando.
They were released Wednesday near Blue Springs State Park, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
Unwanted pets: Giant goldfish turn up in Minnesota waterways
July 13, 2021 GMTBURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Officials in Minnesota said they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes.
Slovenian PM says water referendum defeat no reason to quit
July 12, 2021 GMTLJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia's right-wing prime minister has brushed off opposition calls for his government to resign in the wake of a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly rejected proposed changes to a water management law seen as harmful to the environment.