Teams from seven New Hampshire communities – Concord, Claremont, Franklin, Manchester, Nashua, Rochester, and Somersworth – have come together as a Community of Action to identify local needs and actions to better protect children from lead poisoning.
Dec 5
2019
2019
Nov 13
2019
2019
A Massachusetts Casino Is Making Air Pollution Worse
Since the Encore Boston Harbor casino opened its doors in June, residents of Everett, Chelsea, and Malden have been subjected to toxic tailpipe pollution from Encore’s branded vehicles, which consistently idle for more than 20-minute stretches near schools, parks, and homes. CLF has announced our intent to sue Encore and the companies operating its shuttle buses for their illegal idling, continuing our ongoing fight for cleaner air in our communities.
Oct 25
2019
2019
Latest Trump Administration Rollback Threatens Environmental Justice
The Trump administration government is rolling back a key way to prove discrimination in court, but a set of bills in Massachusetts would make sure those protections remain at the state level. The bills would provide legal safeguards for communities of color and refugee and immigrant communities to ensure that policies addressing the intense heat, dangerous flooding, and extreme weather events of climate change do not discriminate.
Sep 12
2019
2019
In First Statewide Tests for Lead in School Drinking Water, Not All Schools Measure Up
Lead is a toxic substance that is particularly dangerous for children. It permanently impacts behavior and cognitive abilities, among other harmful effects. Last year, thanks to work by CLF and passionate advocates throughout the state, Senate Bill 247 required that all New Hampshire schools test their water for lead. This is a major step forward…
Sep 9
2019
2019
Is Toxic Landfill Wastewater Coming to a Stream or Farm Near You?
The owners of the Coventry landfill are champing at the bit to supersize Vermont’s only active disposal site. But state regulators are holding out on approving one last permit needed for the expansion. This is because Casella has not yet addressed how it will safely dispose of one of the landfill’s most toxin-laden byproducts: leachate.…
Aug 21
2019
2019
Protecting New England Together
On August 15, Massachusetts lost a powerful voice for justice. Michaelann Bewsee was a fearless ally and treasured friend whose passion and selflessness profoundly impacted the lives of her neighbors in Springfield and beyond for generations. In her honor, we want to share this piece, originally published in March of 2015, about her work to…
Aug 13
2019
2019
Getting the Lead Out
When the Flint, Michigan, water crisis made national headlines, it served as a wake-up call for many New England communities. Across the region, cities and towns began looking at the state of their own water systems to ensure they were safe and lead-free. In Claremont, New Hampshire, a city of just over 13,000 near the…
Aug 13
2019
2019
Historic Lawrence Canals in Danger
“Enel continues to extract from the city of Lawrence while refusing to protect these historic canals,” said CLF attorney Phelps Turner. “While the ruling will force the company to improve its practices, it falls far short in ensuring this critical resource is no longer littered with trash and putting residents in danger. We’re looking at all of our options moving forward to hold Enel accountable for protecting this core piece of the Lawrence landscape.”
Aug 8
2019
2019
Conservation Matters Summer 2019: Year in Review
CLF succeeds because we have people like you by our side. In this special annual report issue of Conservation Matters, we are honoring just a few of our many local heroes, people who have devoted their time, energy, and passion to defending our homes, protecting our children’s health, and supporting the vibrancy of our communities.
Aug 2
2019
2019
Big Oil Can’t Shirk Its Responsibility to Communities
Extreme weather caused by climate change may damage coastal infrastructure by degrading equipment containing hazardous chemicals or by flooding storage facilities. But fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil and Shell would rather take their chances and do nothing to ready their facilities. CLF knows, however, that these companies have a legal duty (not to mention an ethical one) to adapt their facilities to the foreseeable effects of climate change.