Litigation is used to not only protect and enforce the current environmental laws but to bring about environmentally friendly change within our legal system. CBF attorneys argue cases in the federal and state courts within the watershed and file amicus curiae—also calledFriend of the Court—briefs in related environmental lawsuits.
Carefully executed litigation serves three primary purposes:
- It spurs enforcement efforts against those who violate laws that were created to protect the watershed.
- It helps define and drive the agenda for public debate over restoration and protection of the Bay.
- It delivers concrete and enforceable progress in resource restoration.
Learn more about CBF's active cases, concluded cases, amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs, and relevant judicial decisions.
Litigation attorneys and staff work directly with CBF's Environmental Protection and Restoration Department to file comment letters on federal regulations. We focus on regulations that will have an impact on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, human health impacts, as well as impacts to low income communities and communities of color that are disproportionally harmed by pollution and other environmental threats. More detail on the regulations and comment letters can be found on our Federal Regulations page.
Blog Posts
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We’re Taking EPA to Court
September 10, 2020
We’re suing the Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to enforce the Clean Water Act. Here’s what you need to know.
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Waters in Jeopardy
August 26, 2020
The unravelling of Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands significantly threatens the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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News Spotlight: Watching Out for the Bay
July 9, 2020
A news roundup of some of the big issues we’re watching this year.
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Putting EPA on Notice
May 19, 2020
We’ve filed a Notice of Intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to enforce the Clean Water Act. Here’s what you need to know.
Podcasts
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No Drill, No Spill
27 Mar 2018 Episode 78 | 00:19:04In this episode, CBF President Will Baker and CBF Litigation Fellow Brittany Wright discuss the dangers of offshore drilling and the current administration's plan to put the Chesapeake Bay at risk.
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No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
19 Dec 2017 Episode 71 | 00:12:11In this episode, CBF President Will Baker talks with CBF Attorney Alayna Chuney about some new developments in the effort to reduce the harmful pollution coming from Baltimore City's Wheelabrator trash incinerator.
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Up In the Air
11 Oct 2017 Episode 66 | 00:17:27In this episode, CBF President Will Baker talks with CBF attorneys Ariel Solaski and Alayna Chuney about recent litigation aimed at reducing the air pollution from neighboring states.
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Environmental Justice
10 May 2017 Episode 55 | 00:25.50In this episode, CBF President Will Baker and Litigation Fellow Alayna Chuney discuss the importance of a healthy environment for all.
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Supreme Court Denies Farm Bureau Attack
01 Mar 2016 Episode 25 | 00:11:26In this episode, CBF President Will Baker and Vice President for Litigation Jon Mueller applaud the Supreme Court's historic decision to uphold the legality of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.
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The Ruling Is In: A Great Win for Clean Water!
07 Jul 2015 Episode 8 | 00:20:02In this episode, CBF President Will Baker and CBF Vice President Jon Mueller dicuss the just-in historic ruling in favor of EPA, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other intervenors.
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Something A Little Different
12 May 2015 Episode 4 | 00:11:23In this episode, CBF President Will Baker interviews Vice President for Litigation Jon Mueller about the litigation over the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.
