“In order to achieve the monumental phosphorus reductions we need to clean up the lake, we need a functioning system to regulate those farms,” said Elena Mihaly, director of the Conservation Law Foundation in Vermont. “We have a lot of concern that the structure right now is not set up for success.”
“As millions of Americans prepare to enjoy Memorial Day Weekend, the Supreme Court has torpedoed protections for treasured waters safeguarded by the Clean Water Act,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “The Court has commandeered the power to curtail Congress’ authority whenever it impinges on the rights of polluters and property owners. The decision is devastating not only for the environment, but also for countless families and businesses whose health, safety, and prosperity depend on wetlands for safe drinking water, flood and storm protection, and a vibrant tourism economy.”
“Epping has utterly failed to operate its wastewater treatment facility safely for several years,” said CLF attorney Heidi Trimarco. “The plant is dumping practically untreated wastewater directly into the Lamprey River, threatening the drinking water for Durham and UNH as well as the health of the iconic Great Bay Estuary. The town’s frequent and repeated Clean Water Act violations cannot be allowed to continue, which is why we’re joining the EPA’s effort to finally bring the town in line with the law.”
Time is running out for us to take significant action in cutting climate-damaging emissions in New England and in the country as a whole. The good news is that we are making progress. But the reality is that we don’t have any more time to wait. Extreme weather is already taking lives and increasing pollution.… Continue reading Conservation Matters Spring 2023: Impact Report
This Earth Day, the U.S. Congress has finally given us a climate milestone to celebrate. How can we ensure that these momentous investments do not get squandered?
Earth Day is almost here! It’s our moment to honor our planet by taking concrete action to preserve the environment and fight climate change. After all, as the saying goes, there’s no Planet B. So, this year, let’s celebrate Earth Day by pairing our small local efforts with BIG collective actions that can really… Continue reading 5 Things To Do On Earth Day
Connecticut just took a big step back in its commitment to recycling. In 2021, legislators voted to modernize and expand the state’s bottle return program by raising the deposit fee and making more types of beverage containers eligible. Last month, these same legislators inexplicably chose to weaken the program by approving a measure that will… Continue reading Connecticut’s New Bottle Law Kicks the Can Down the Road
“EPA has finally set drinking water standards for two of the dozens of toxic PFAS compounds being found in drinking water across the country and adopted a risk-based algorithm for others,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “Applause should be muted. The federal government dithered on this issue decades, as a generation of children drank unsafe water, and EPA did so even as many states acted more urgently to adopt more protective standards.”
Runoff from large parking lots, big box stores, and strip malls is not currently regulated by the EPA. However, these properties contribute significant runoff to nearby wetlands, streams and rivers, CLF officials said.
The derailment of a train carrying toxic petroleum-based chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio in February is a sad consequence of the fossil fuel industry’s deadly plastics push.
