Environmental Law Clinic

Legislative Work

The Environmental Law Clinic was recently instrumental in the researching and drafting of a Maryland bill which broadened the ability of citizens, including organizations, to challenge environmental permits. This standing legislation is critical to providing citizens input into a wide variety of environmental permits.

Standing-Miscellaneous Environmental Protection Proceedings and Judicial Review Act Signing Ceremony

Due in part to the extensive research of Clinic students and testimony by their clients, the Standing-Miscellaneous Environmental Protection Proceedings and Judicial Review Act, HB1569/SB1065, passed in the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley on May 19, 2009.

During the 2006-2007 term, Clinic students provided legal advice and drafted legislation for a coalition of non-profit organizations working to strengthen the enforcement provisions of Maryland's Critical Areas Law. This work was an outgrowth of the Clinic's May 2006 report entitled Enforcement in Maryland's Critical Area: Perception and Practice. This report examined the enforcement of the Maryland Critical Area Act, a 1984 law that seeks to preserve the shoreline environment while accommodating growth. The report, prepared on behalf of the West/Rhode Riverkeeper and other Maryland Waterkeepers, was featured in articles in The Baltimore Sun and The Capital. Summary of Critical Area Report findings �.

In response to a request by Senator Brian Frosh, the 2002-2003 Clinic students prepared a report entitled "Keeping Pace: An Evaluation of Maryland's Most Important Environmental Problems and What We Can Do to Solve Them."

More about the Clinic's ongoing activities and past successes:

Environmental Law Clinic

Legislative Work

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