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.
News
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CBF Issues Statement on Executive Council Meeting
December 15, 2021
The Chesapeake Executive Council met today in Richmond, Virginia, and selected EPA Administrator Michael Regan to be the next Council Chair. Following the meeting, CBF President William C. Baker issued this statement.
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CBF, JRA, and EIP Issue Statement on Henrico Consent Order
December 14, 2021
The State Water Control Board today approved another consent order with Henrico County that fails to solve chronic water pollution violations by its sewage treatment plant and sewage collection system.
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Clean Water Advocates File Federal Lawsuit to Halt Decades of Violations by Henrico Sewage System
December 6, 2021
Three environmental organizations filed a federal lawsuit today to halt decades of water pollution violations by Henrico County’s sewage treatment plant and sewage collection system, including the release of more than 66 million gallons of raw sewage into the James River in the last five years alone.
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Environmental Justice, More Than Just A Check Mark
October 1, 2021
Environmental justice starts in communities, not courtrooms.
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Chesapeake Executive Council Falls Short: CBF Issues Statement
October 1, 2021
The Council’s job is to lead Bay restoration efforts, establish the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Bay and its living resources, and be accountable to the public for progress made under the Bay agreements. By those measures, the Executive Council has fallen short.
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Maryland Environmental Groups File Notice of Potential Lawsuit Against Valley Proteins for Pollution Violations
April 13, 2021
Maryland environmental groups sent a notice of intent to bring a lawsuit against Valley Proteins for violating its wastewater permit. The goal of this action is to bring Valley Proteins into compliance and protect water quality, the environment, and public health.
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CBF Sues EPA for Failing to Protect Watershed Residents and the Bay from Particulate Pollution
January 19, 2021
CBF and environmental and public health partners today sued EPA for refusing to strengthen air quality limits for small, airborne particles (known as particulate matter).
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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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CBF to Sue EPA over Failure to Hold Pennsylvania and New York Accountable for Not Meeting Clean Water Act Obligations
September 10, 2020
Today, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and its partners will file a complaint suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency for abdicating its responsibilities under the Clean Water Act
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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.
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.
