Clean Water, Clean Limits: The Supreme Court Sets New Boundaries Under the Clean Water Act
April 16th, 2025 — by Katie Shaw — Category: Water Quality
In 2019, the city of San Francisco found itself in a legal battle over two newly added provisions to its wastewater facilities’ permit. These provisions require the city to ensure that the Pacific Ocean meets water quality standards without specifying pollution limits that would make that possible.
U.S. Fishery Management Council Power to Veto Severed
April 3rd, 2025 — by Steven Young — Category: Fisheries
The Third Circuit Court of Appeal's recent decision in Lofstad v. Raimondo represents a significant shift in the legal framework governing U.S. Fishery Management Councils with broad implications. Lofstad, 117 F. 4th 493 (3rd Cir. 2024). The court held that the Fishery Management Councils wield significant authority and are unlawfully Officers of the United States.
SpaceX and California Coastal Commission Dispute over Rocket Launches along Central California Coast
April 1st, 2025 — by Jon Scoggins — Category: Miscellaneous
Nestled in Santa Barbara County, California, is Vandenberg Space Force Base—the world’s second busiest spaceport. At Vandenberg, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) leases land and has invested over $540 million in developing launch infrastructure.
