First-in-state to elevate community rights over corporate “rights” and recognize rights of nature A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 31, 2017. OREGON: The election results from Lincoln County, OR, are in: Lincoln residents adopted the first-in-the nation countywide Freedom from Aerial Sprayed Pesticides ordinance by 61 votes. Lincoln residents are [...]
Also, In Ironic Charade, PGE Appeals Its Own Permit A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 18, 2017. Mercersburg, PA: Last month, in a revealing display of state power being used to protect corporate interests, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sued Grant Township (Indiana County) and Highland Township (Elk [...]
Current ballot count has the measure passing; final vote count due at the end of May A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 17, 2017. OREGON: Yesterday’s vote in Lincoln County, OR on Measure 21-177 – a first-in-the nation countywide Freedom from Aerial Sprayed Pesticides ordinance – is still undecided though [...]
This article by Chuck Abraham originally appeared in the, Ridgway Record on May 5, 2017. Four environmentalists approached the Elk County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, asking for support in Highland Township's fight against Seneca Resources of Houston over a Class IID wastewater injection well the oil and gas company is placing within a half [...]
The Court Finds the Atrato Possesses Rights to “Protection, Conservation, Maintenance and Restoration” Rights of Nature Movement Gaining Ground as Court Declares Need to Move Away from Legal Systems in which Humans are the “dominator of nature” A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 4, 2017. MERCERSBURG, PA, USA: In November, [...]
This article appeared in El Heraldo on May 3, 2017 In Colombia, it is the first time that rights are granted to a river, to resources as such, beyond people and communities. As a historical landmark, Ximena González described the ruling of the Constitutional Court that declared for the first time that a river “is [...]
Community rights movement grows statewide, despite corporate state efforts to block it A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 1, 2017. Broadview Heights, Ohio: Residents of Portage, Medina, and Athens Counties are asserting the people’s right to local community self-government, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to protect [...]
Youngstown residents propose law to prohibit outside campaign spending A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from April 30, 2017. YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Frustrated by the influence of outside money on local elections, community members in Youngstown are kicking off their petition campaign for a “free and fair elections” law. The measure – known [...]
Secretary of State’s objections to petition denied; judge gives go ahead for signature collection. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from April 25, 2017. SALEM, OREGON: More than one year ago, the Oregon Secretary of State denied petition circulation of a state constitutional amendment that would secure the right of local community [...]
This letter to the editor appeared in, GoErie.com on April 24, 2017 and was published by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. April 27 is shaping up to be a big day for Erie County residents when it comes to environmental justice. From 5 to 7 p.m., the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold a “listening session” at [...]