Vermont Law School blog articles featuring stories and projects about water conservation, water rights, water law, and more. From opinions on what's really going on with the Flint crisis to controversy and litigation on the Clean Water Act, learn what's going on in the world of water from the VLS perspective.
THE MUDDIED WATERS OF ROCKWEED MANAGEMENT IN MAINE
July 18, 2017
In Maine, the hotly debated issue of whether rockweed constitutes private property has significant ramifications. Read more »
'UNDEVELOPMENT': ADDRESSING SEA LEVEL RISE IN CALIFORNIA
June 26, 2017
The state of California continues to act as a pioneer when it comes to American climate change initiatives, in both the mitigation and adaptation spheres. Read more »
AN OCEAN NETWORK PROTECTED, BUT NOT FROM HARM
May 23, 2017
Despite legal protection, species and habitats found in California’s Marine Protected Areas remain exposed to harmful ocean, land and climate-based stressors. Read more »
STUDENTS DIVE INTO SUMMER OCEAN WORK
May 8, 2017
This summer, spanning the waters of the continental U.S., our students will be tackling the major issues facing our ocean. Read more »
CALL OF THE WILD WITH MEGHAN HOOKER MSEL'05
September 10, 2016
By becoming an advocate for removing old dams, supporting and restoring rivers and improving public access for boaters, VLS alum Megan Hooker MSEL'05 has made the great outdoors her office.
WATER WORKS WITH ALUM BECCA PINCUS MSEL'11
August 1, 2016
VLS alum, Becca Pincus MSEL'11, Chair of Arctic Studies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Professor-In-Residence at the Center for Arctic Study and Policy, works to support the Coast Guard's strategic objectives in the Arctic region.
WATER WORKS WITH ALUM ANDY MEEKS JD/MSEL'03
July 30, 2016
VLS alum, Andy Meeks JD/MSEL'03, Development Director at The Freshwater Trust in Portland, Oregon, calls himself a "disrupter of the status quo" in the fight for clean and abundant fresh water.
WATER WORKS WITH ALUM MARGAUX VALENTI JD'13
July 28, 2016
VLS alum, Margaux Valenti JD'13, Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper in Buffalo, New York, helps gain access, through contractual agreements, to private and public lands to install river restoration projects.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM TOM LEARY JD/MSEL'95
July 26, 2016
VLS alum, Tom Leary JD/MSEL'95, Deputy Legal Counsel to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman at the Department of Defense in Arlington, Virginia dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM MICHELLE BENDER MELP'15
July 24, 2016
VLS alum, Michelle Bender MELP'15, Earth Policy Fellow at Earth Law Center in Redwood City, California, dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM PETER VAN TUYN JD/MSEL'89
July 22, 2016
VLS alum, Peter Van Tuyn JD/MSEL'89, Managing Partner at Bessenyey & Van Tuyn, LLC in Anchorage, Alaska, dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM SARAH MOONEY REITER JD'13
July 20, 2016
VLS alum, Sarah Mooney Reiter JD'13, Ocean Policy Analyst at Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif., dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM ZACHARY LEES JD/MELP'12
July 18, 2016
VLS alum, Zachary Lees JD/MELP'12, Staff Attorney at Clean Ocean Action in Sandy Hook, N.J., dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM STEPHANIE SHOWALTER OTTS JD/MSEL'01
July 16, 2016
VLS alum, Stephanie Showalter Otts JD/MSEL'01, Senior Research Counsel and Director of Sea Grant Programs at the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford, Miss., dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM MEGHAN JEANS JD/MSEL'02
July 14, 2016
VLS alum, Meghan Jeans JD/MSEL'02, Director of Conservation at the New England Aquarium in Boston, Mass., dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
OCEAN VIEW WITH ALUM JIM LANDIS LLM'09
July 12, 2016
VLS alum, Jim Landis LLM'09, Counsel at Lowcountry Counsel Office U.S. Marine Corps in Beaufort, S.C., dives into the legal and policy issues related to protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
A LAWYER ON THIN ICE
July 10, 2016
Betsy Baker, Professor of Law at VLS, is now a go-to expert on the Arctic. Through her work with the U.S. State Department and the Arctic Council, an international governing body for the Arctic, Baker has played an important role in elevating the status and understanding of the frozen north.
CLEAN WATER ACT, WILLIAM TAYLOR JD/MSEL'83
July 8, 2016
Alum William Taylor JD/MSEL'83, Attorney at Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, Maine and Partner, Environmental Practice Group, shares his Clean Water Act (CWA)-related work along with CWA trends and big issues.
CLEAN WATER ACT, ANNE HEDGES MSEL'93
July 6, 2016
Alum Anne Hedges MSEL'93, Deputy Director and Lead Lobbyist, Montana Environmental Information Center, a statewide nonprofit focused on air and water pollution issues, shares her Clean Water Act (CWA)-related work along with CWA trends and big issues.
CLEAN WATER ACT, MICHAEL FORMICA JD'98
July 4, 2016
Alum Michael Woodard JD'98, Assistant VP and Legal Counsel for Domestic Policy, National Pork Producers Council, shares his Clean Water Act (CWA)-related work along with CWA trends and big issues.
CLEAN WATER ACT, LEE WOODARD JD'82
July 2, 2016
Alum Lee Woodard JD'82, Partner with Harris Beach PLLC, shares his Clean Water Act (CWA)-related work along with CWA trends and big issues.
CLEAN WATER ACT, JULIA ANASTASIO MSEL'96
June 30, 2016
Alum Julia Anastasio MSEL'96, Executive Director and General Counsel, Association of Clean Water Administrators in Washington, D.C., shares her Clean Water Act (CWA)-related work along with CWA trends and big issues.
WATER WARS
June 28, 2016
Few question the need for clean waterways and safe drinking water. But the controversy and litigation involved in attaining those goals is increasing and sometimes makes the ultimate objectives harder to reach.
THIRST AND RESILIENCE FROM EAST TO WEST
June 26, 2016
In the face of drought, floods, and sometimes invisible pollution, access to clean water is growing more fraught than ever. The work of VLS alumni in three regions of the country offers a glimpse of how it's all playing out.