As a young environmental law student at Vermont Law School in the late 1980s, I learned of the effort to clean up Boston Harbor – then regarded as one of the filthiest waterways in America. Labeled the “Harbor of Shame” by the Boston media, the Harbor was avoided by the city and still used as…
Mar 21
2016
2016
Mar 21
2016
2016
Video: Boston Harbor Clean Up Reaches New Milestone
CLF Senior Counsel Peter Shelley filed the lawsuit that led to the clean up of Boston Harbor in 1983. Watch as he reflects on the 33-year fight to restore the “dirtiest harbor in America” to the people of Boston.
Mar 21
2016
2016
Federal Court Honors Milestone in CLF Fight to Clean Boston Harbor
“In the 1980s, Boston Harbor was a dumping ground for an unfathomable volume of sewage and industrial waste, and many thought it was a lost cause when CLF took up the mantle,” said CLF senior counsel Peter Shelley.
Taking Back Boston Harbor
CLF took back Boston Harbor from polluters.
Feb 25
2016
2016
No More Free Passes for Water Polluters: CLF Sues EPA to Force Clean Up of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Waters
The Charles River is one of New England’s most iconic waterways – it also may be our most notorious thanks to its history as one of the dirtiest rivers in the country. Decades of efforts to clean up the river have brought some gains, yes, but the Charles is still far from achieving the water…
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a state of extraordinary range – from our miles of coastline to the western mountains, our dense hardwood forests to our working farms, our thickly settled city neighborhoods to our rural village greens.
Clean Water
Here in New England, water is a way of life. Our rivers, streams, lakes, and ocean boost our economy, inspire our play, and enrich our heritage.
Jun 5
2015
2015
Defending the Charles
The Charles River was once one of the dirtiest rivers in the country. Today, thanks to CLF and Charles River Watershed Association, Massachusetts’ iconic river is on the mend. But despite these decades-long cleanup efforts, we still have a ways to go to rejuvenate the Charles River.
Apr 10
2015
2015
It’s Possible
A walk along Boston Harbor today reveals a waterfront that’s both beautiful and vibrant. Water taxis and sailboats skim its waters; tourists and locals stroll along its shores; fishermen catch striped bass right off the docks; and waterside restaurants brighten the evening. It’s hard to believe that, barely a generation ago, this same harbor was…
Mar 12
2015
2015
Defending the Charles River from Stormwater Pollution
In February, CLF and the Charles River Watershed Association filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA for failing to uphold the Clean Water Act and requiring large, privately owned stormwater polluters to obtain permits for their dirty discharge. EPA’s responsibility is clear: to ensure that our waterways are safe for drinking, swimming, and fishing. The…