As the Houston area begins its long recovery from the devastating floods triggered by Hurricane Harvey – and with Hurricane Irma now barreling toward Florida’s coast – we wanted to know how Boston would fare in the face of such high waters and heavy rains. So we turned to CLF’s Director of Environmental Planning, Deanna Moran,…
Sep 7
2017
2017
Sep 6
2017
2017
CLF Urges Court to Impose Significant Penalties in Carlos Rafael Case
Summary: On March 30, 2017, New Bedford-based fishing magnate Carlos Rafael pled guilty to 28 criminal counts against him, including conspiracy to evade federal fishing quotas and profit from the sale of misreported fish, and falsified reporting to the federal government. Rafael’s egregious crimes inflicted severe damage within New England’s fishing community, which has rippled…
Aug 24
2017
2017
Secretary Zinke Withholds Monument Recommendations from Public
“The fate of these treasures shouldn’t be left hanging in the balance,” said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel for Conservation Law Foundation. “Some 3 million people — more than 98 percent of commenters — voiced their support for keeping our national monuments intact. Submitting recommendations that defy the will of the American people and then withholding these recommendations from the public is utterly unacceptable. The president has no legal authority to alter national monuments, and we will take him to court if he tries.”
Aug 14
2017
2017
There’s Still Time to Speak Up for New England’s Marine Monument
I recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where I met with senior officials at the Departments of Commerce and Interior to urge the continued preservation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument – the only such monument in the Atlantic and an ecological gem of immense significance. Our Nation’s Natural Treasures…
Aug 3
2017
2017
Commerce Department Sets Dangerous Precedent in Overrule of Fishery Commission
President Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, is making waves in fisheries management—and setting a dangerous precedent that may undermine future efforts to protect vulnerable fish stocks in the Northeast. Earlier this month, Secretary Ross took the unprecedented action of overruling a fisheries management action made by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The Commission…
Jul 28
2017
2017
Whale Watch
The story of North Atlantic right whales is a sadly familiar one. Historically, they were targeted by whalers because they were commercially lucrative and easy to kill. Today, with barely 500 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet, they face threats from warming waters, which push their food sources north, as well as fishing net entanglements and ship collisions.
Jul 26
2017
2017
Conservation Matters Summer 2017: Year in Review
Fighting Big Gas How One Community’s Fight Could Shape the Future of New England Restoring Lake Champlain Reasons for Hope after Decades of Degradation Local Food 2.0 Training a New Generation of Farmers in Western Massachusetts Whale Watch Saving North Atlantic Right Whales from Extinction Measuring Community Health A New Research Model Puts the Community…
Jul 24
2017
2017
Marine Reserves are Climate Reserves – and We Need More of Them
I’m riding on a small ferry to an island off the coast of Maine when the captain suddenly slows the boat. He comes over the loudspeaker and speaks in a quiet voice. “On the left of the boat, next to the rocks is an Atlantic Puffin,” he says. Craning our necks, my fellow passengers and…
Jun 29
2017
2017
Full Speed Ahead for Offshore Wind in New England
Today marks an incredible milestone for Massachusetts, and a monumental step forward toward a clean energy economy in New England. Massachusetts’ three biggest electric companies issued a ground-breaking request for bids for offshore wind energy. Wind developers will now compete to sell Massachusetts residents at least 400 megawatts (and up to a whopping 800 megawatts)…
Jun 15
2017
2017
An Open Letter to Interior Secretary Zinke as He Visits New England
Dear Interior Secretary Zinke: Welcome to New England! We’re glad you’re visiting New England this week and hope you enjoyed your tour of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We treasure our national monuments and care deeply about the value they provide. You were able to experience the wondrous views of Mount Katahdin and…