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 called Friend of the Court—briefs in related environmental lawsuits.
Carefully executed litigation serves three primary purposes:
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It spurs enforcement efforts against those who violate laws that were created to protect the watershed.
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It helps define and drive the agenda for public debate over restoration and protection of the Bay.
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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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10 Sep 2020
We’re Taking EPA to Court
We’re suing the Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to enforce the Clean Water Act. Here’s what you need to know.
Topics:
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26 Aug 2020
Waters in Jeopardy
The unravelling of Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands significantly threatens the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Topics: Advocate, Federal Regulations,
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09 Jul 2020
News Spotlight: Watching Out for the Bay
A news roundup of some of the big issues we’re watching this year.
Topics: Advocate, Air Pollution, Atlantic Coast Natural Gas Pipeline, Atlantic Menhaden, Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, Conowingo Dam and Chesapeake Bay, Federal Regulations, Fisheries, Water Quality
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19 May 2020
Putting EPA on Notice
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.
Topics: Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint,
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15 Jan 2020
Environmental Justice Court Win Comes at Pivotal Time in Virginia
A major court win last week for the people of Union Hill could help move the needle in the right direction for Virginia to meaningfully apply environmental justice.
Topics: Air Pollution, Atlantic Coast Natural Gas Pipeline, Natural Gas
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13 Jan 2020
Maryland Is Suing to Restore the Bay. What Now?
Breaking news last week has spurred many questions about the Bay clean-up effort. Here’s what you need to know.
Topics: Water Quality
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06 Nov 2019
Defending Clean Air and Water for Union Hill
Last week, CBF challenged a key permit for a proposed natural gas-burning compressor station in court, defending the right of people in the historic African-American community of Union Hill to continue to breathe clean air.
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29 Oct 2019
Watershed Watchdogs
CBF's Litigation Department may not be the largest division within the organization, but it has earned a nationwide reputation for taking on the intractable issues which impede the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and ensure a pollution-free environment for every community in the watershed.
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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.
