In a time when extreme climate events are occurring with escalating regularity, there’s been increasing attention turned to one of nature’s monumental living landmarks – the Giant Sequoias of California’s Sierra Nevada. Known for their resilience to wildfires, these colossal trees are now facing a growing threat, as the intensity and frequency of forest fires…
Minnesota has embarked on the comprehensive rulemaking process for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), marking a substantial development in state regulation. The state’s move can be traced back to May, when it enacted a PFAS statute that not only defines PFAS, but also creates a reporting requirement, and bans the sale or distribution of particular…
In a recent ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a decision denying the Lummi Nation fishing rights in the waters of Washington’s North Puget Sound. The court’s verdict was based on the interpretation of a 1974 court decree relating to tribal fishing rights. The Lummi Nation had been asserting rights…
In recent years, a string of high profile cases has come to the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”), prompting renewed examination of the longstanding Chevron doctrine. This doctrine, taking its name from the landmark decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, proposes that when it comes to interpreting ambiguous statutes, courts should…
In the constantly changing and complex landscape of Venezuelan law and business, professionals need to keep abreast with the most recent developments. In this context, Holland & Knight’s Venezuela Focus Team has released an update dated September 13, 2023, discussing the latest news, trends, and changes in Venezuela that impact businesses across all industry sectors….
In terms of contentious land use and its relationship to sustainable development, California’s latest development is worth noting. On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission approved a significant settlement with San Diego’s Paradise Point resort. The focus of this resolution was to rectify years of Coastal Act violations that have seriously hindered public access to the…
A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the State of Utah’s Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, and the Division of Water Rights. The groups allege that these agencies have failed to properly manage the water levels of the Great Salt Lake, placing crucial ecosystems at…
The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) of Colombia has issued Resolution 839 on the 28th of August, 2023, replacing Resolution 941 of 2009. This new piece of legislation brings about amendments pertaining to the Information Subsystem on the Use of Renewable Natural Resources (SIUR) and the Unique Environmental Register (RUA). This action entails…
In a recent development regarding air enforcement, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) and Liberty Aggregates, LLC, (“Liberty”) have entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (“AOC”). This consent agreement has been established in response to alleged violations of the Missouri Air Regulations, which have ignited considerable discussions within legal circles. JDSupra provided insights…
Cuatrecasas, a renowned Spanish law firm, has expanded its practice in Peru with the addition of two partners. The firm’s expansion strategy is geared towards harnessing the increasing global demand for copper and other natural resources, as Peru is notably mineral-rich. The newly recruited partners include Ina María Drago, who has been appointed to spearhead…
In today’s legal and environmental landscapes, there is a growing focus on water resource management, highlighted starkly by the American Water Works Association’s social media campaign, ‘Value of Water’. This initiative makes use of an impactful slogan, ‘No Water No Beer’, which is more than just a catchy phrase, it brings to the forefront a…
In a bid toward sustainable housing, the City of Los Angeles’s Planning Department is proposing an expansion of the city’s adaptive reuse policies. The proposal is a revision and an expansion of Sections 12.03, 12.22 A.26, 12.24 X and 16.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) and the Adaptive Reuse Incentive Areas Specific Plan…
In a sustained effort to reduce pollution and protect both human health and natural ecosystems, the European Parliament has proposed amendments to existing legislation that governs Europe’s various water bodies. These bodies include inland, transitional, and coastal surface waters, as well as groundwater. This move is seen as part of furthering the European Commission’s Zero…
The Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the United States Army, Pine Bluff Arsenal (U.S.) have reportedly entered into a Consent Administrative Order (CAO) as of July 13. This action is specifically in response to issues arising from dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contamination. The Consent Administrative Order…
Protests erupted in Belém, Brazil this past Sunday, coinciding with a Brazilian government environmental conference titled The Amazonian Dialogues. The focal point of the demonstrations were against Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company’s proposal to begin offshore drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River. This proposed project would be in the deep waters off…
The recent Mining Reform in Mexico has placed new obligations on mining concessionaires. Among these obligations, one of the most significant is the requirement to request a change of water use from the National Water Commission. This change in the Titles of Concession of National Waters must go from “industrial” to “industrial in mining”. Notably,…
In a recent development, the U.S. Geological Survey has raised alarms over the quality and sustainability of tap water in the United States. This study mentions that up to 45 percent of the water supply could possibly be contaminated with Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. Motivations behind the research include rising domestic…
Thousands of indigenous individuals from Jujuy, a northwestern Argentine province, arrived in Buenos Aires recently. Their long cross-country journey culminated in a large protest against a provincial constitutional reform that expands lithium mining on the lands they call home. The protest was staged due to concerns that the increased extraction of lithium may lead to…