Mid-Atlantic States Join Forces to Advance Offshore Wind Energy
June 2013

(Washington, DC) — In coordination with the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) has released A Guide to State Management of Offshore Wind Energy in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The guide provides an overview of the issues affecting offshore wind energy projects in the region and identifies the basic elements of state authority to address resource concerns and competing uses such as navigation and fishing.

State Agencies Seeking to Protect Wetlands and Streams Face Hurdles — From Their Own State Laws
May 2013

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) has released a new 50-state study (*) identifying laws that limit the ability of state agencies to protect wetlands, streams, and other water resources. The study finds that over two-thirds of all U.S. states still have laws that restrict the authority of state agencies to fully protect their own water bodies.

Environmental Law Institute Recognizes Seven National Wetlands Award Winners
April 2013

(Washington, DC) — The Environmental Law Institute announced today the recipients of the prestigious National Wetland Awards—individual stewards from across the country who have been recognized for their exceptional and innovative contributions to wetlands conservation. “I congratulate the extraordinary individuals selected for the National Wetlands Awards for demonstrating how citizens and communities can—and do—make a difference,” stated ELI President John Cruden.

Ecolabelling Guidelines Misused as Certification Standards
July 2012

(Washington, DC) — The Environmental Law Institute today released a study clarifying that international fisheries and aquaculture ecolabelling codes of conduct and guidelines cannot be used as seafood certification standards. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) maintains a Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Management designed to assist governments in creating fisheries management policy, as well as institutional and substantive guidelines that provide a framework for the proper structure and operation of seafood ecolabelling and certification systems.

Dockside Enforcement Vital for Enforcing Catch Share Systems
June 2012

(Washington, DC) — Environmental Law Institute (ELI) staff today published a study in Marine Policy providing quantitative evidence that the introduction of catch shares for fisheries management results in significant changes to enforcement practice and compliance behavior. Catch share programs are replacing effort-based fisheries management because they provide fishermen with incentives to support sustainability.

Updated Handbook Helps Navigate Post-Rapanos Clean Water Act
May 2012

(Washington, DC) — In a year marking the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, federal courts across the country continue to struggle in determining jurisdiction and applying the fractured Supreme Court’s 2006 ruling in Rapanos v. United States, which has now been interpreted, applied, or cited in over 90 different cases arising in 35 states. Six years after the decision, the legal battle over federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction shows no signs of abating.

Seminars & Workshops

ELI facilitates dialogue among professionals working in environmental law, policy, science, and management. The Institute seeks to improve environmental protection by offering a forum for diverse interests to discuss, debate, and resolve timely issues. ELI also frequently holds trainings to educate professionals on specific topics. These workshops and seminars are organized programmatically as follows:

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