Tribal, State and Local Environmental Programs
Podcasts
ELI's People, Places and Planet Podcast has also released episodes with insights for local governments looking to improve their compliance with federal environmental laws. Check these out as well!
- Water Justice and the Constituent Empowerment Model (September 2022)
- Is the U.S. Government Ready for the Climate Crisis? Examining Federal, State, and Local Climate Adaptation (September 2021)
- Groundtruth: State Stories – Passing Environmental Justice Legislation (June 2021)
- The Enforcement Angle: TCEQ’s Toby Baker (April 2021)
- Groundtruth: New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law (April 2021)
- Remarkable Cities and the Fight Against Climate Change (June 2020)
- Turning a Blind Eye to Small Drinking Water Systems (April 2020)
- Cool Cities: A/C Ordinances—The Hot New Trend in Fighting Extreme Heat? (January 2020)
- Energy Exactions: A New Idea for Local Governments (December 2019)
- Carbon Taxation by Regulation (August 2019)
- Trailblazing Tribes: Agriculture (July 2019)
Webinars
- Defending Our Infrastructure: Creating a Cybersecurity Culture in Small Community Water and Wastewater systems (January 2023)
- Youth Climate Action: How Local Governments Can Learn from Generation Z (November 2022)
- Equity-Centered Local Climate Action Planning (May 2022)
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) 101 for Local and Tribal Governments (May 2021)
- Restoring Land: Fee-to-Trust and Native Sovereignty (April 2021)
(Recording) - FYI Naturalist: Save Food Waste Less in Nashville (February 2021)
- Clean Air Act Regulations for Natural Disaster Management
- How to Set Up a Pilot Community Composting Project to Receive Community Food Scraps - Community Composting for Nashville: Webinar Workshop Series, Part 3 (November 2020)
- Sacred Sites: Balancing Scientific Progress and Native Hawaiian Sovereignty (October 2020)
- What's for Dinner? Achieving Municipal Climate Mitigation Targets through Alternative Proteins (October 2020)
- Swept Away: Safeguarding Tribal Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change (October 2020)
- How to Set Up a Community Compost Demonstration and Education Site - Community Composting for Nashville: Webinar Workshop Series, Part 2 (October 2020)
- What, Why & How to Compost - An Introduction to the Basics & How to Engage - Community Composting for Nashville: Webinar Workshop Series, Part 1 (September 2020)
- Fighting Fire With Fire: Restoring Traditional Indigenous Practices for Ecological Stewardship (May 2020)
- Food Waste Co-Digestion at Water Resource Recovery Facilities: Business Case Analysis (May 2020)
- Jumping Through Hoopa: Complicating the Clean Water Act for the States (March 2020)
- Cool Cities (September 2019)
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Environmental Decision-making (October 2018)
- Tribal Fishing Rights and Environmental Regulation: An Emerging Nexus? (November 2017)
- Emerging Environmental Issues in Native Communities (Part 1 and Part 2) (September 2017)
- Environmental Law in Indian Country 101 (July 2017)
- Arctic Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning and the Role of the Arctic People (March 2010)
Blogs
- New Resource Locator Provides Climate Tools for States (August 2022)
- Analytical Technologies for Climate Resiliency (March 2022)
- Best Practices in Local Climate Action Planning. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 (January 2022)
- Financing Solutions for Small Community Water Systems (August 2021)
- Adaptation to Climate Change: Tribes Are Leading the Way (Part 2) (August 2021)
- Heating Up: Climate Change Impacts on Tribal Communities (Part 1) (August 2021)
- Reasserting Tribal Forest Management Under Good Neighbor Authority (December 2020)
- Disparity, Disease, and Drinking Water: COVID-19 and Safe Drinking Water Access in Indian Country (June 2020)
- Turning a Blind Eye to Drinking Water Risks (April 2020)
- Water Act Rule Poses Challenges for States (January 2020)
- Tribal Regulation of Single-Use Plastics (April 2019)
- Macbeth Report: Cooperative Federalism Reimagined (March 2019)
- WOTUS Proposal Poses Challenges for States (February 2019)
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Law: The Canadian Case (December 2018)
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the United States: Contributions to Climate Adaptation and Natural Resource Management (December 2018)
- Tribal Programs
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- Food Sovereignty and Self-Governance: Inuit Role in Managing Arctic Marine Resources (2020)
- Whose Water? A Comparative Analysis of National Laws and Regulations Recognizing Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Rights to Freshwater (2020)
- Handbook: Model Alaska Native Consultation Procedures (2016)
- Strengthening Government-to-Government Consultation Related to Marine Subsistence Resources in Alaska (2015)
- Climate & Communities: Conducting Marine Research in a Changing Arctic (2014)
- Integrated Ecosystem-Based Management of the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment (2008)
- Mapping Indigenous Lands: A Practical Guidebook (2008)
- EPA’s Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Regulation: Impact of the New Standards in Indian Country (1994)
- State and Local Environmental Programs
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- States and Localities Aim to Stem Tide of Fast Fashion Textile Waste (2023)
- Urban Bird Treaty Cities Address Dramatic Avian Population Decline (2023)
- The Time Is Now to Ramp Up Municipal Climate Adaptation (2023)
- New York First State to Curb Footprint of Cryptocurrencies (2023)
- ECOS to Prioritize Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, and PFAS (2022)
- Zoom Without Muting: Leaf Blower Bans, Restrictions Gain (2022)
- Utility Initiatives Aim to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption and Use (2022)
- Most Cities Well Off the Pace to Meet Needed Clean Energy Goals (2022)
- State and Local Efforts to Divert Organic Waste Steadily Advance (2022)
- An Overview of Multilingual Outreach, Translation, and Language Justice Resources (2022)
- Model Ordinance on Mandatory Reporting for Large Food Waste Generators - With Commentaries (2022)
- Compendium of Approaches to Incorporating Climate Change into the CWA 303(d) Program (2022)
- Compendium of Approaches to Incorporating Environmental Justice into the CWA 303(d) Program (2022)
- A Toolkit for Incorporating Food Waste in Municipal Climate Action Plans (2021)
- Model Compost Procurement Policy With Commentaries (2021) (Click here for the policy without commentaries.)
- Mayor Cooper's Sustainability Advisory Committee 2021 Report on the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County's Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan (2021) (Click here for the Executive Summary.)
- Database of State Indoor Air Quality Laws: Complete Database (2020) Pollution Prevention and Rethinking "Waste" (from 49 ELR 10515) (2019)
- Opportunities to Improve Landscape-Scale Mitigation for Energy Projects in the Chesapeake Region (2018)
- The Macbeth Report: Cooperative Federalism in the Modern Era (2018)
- Addressing Environmental Site Hazards at Child Care Facilities: A Review of State Policy Strategies (2018)
- Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating Community Input into Green Infrastructure Projects (2018)
- Ethane Cracking in the Upper Ohio Valley: Potential Impacts, Regulatory Requirements, and Opportunities for Public Engagement (2018)
- Prioritizing Future Floodplain Acquisitions: Maximizing Opportunities for Habitat Restoration, Community Benefits, and Resilience (2017)
- Financing and Incentives Guide for Floodplain Buyouts (2017)
- Green Infrastructure for Chesapeake Stormwater Management: Legal Tools for Climate Resilient Siting (2017)
- Legal Risk Analysis for Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategies in San Diego (2017)
- Floodplain Buyouts: An Action Guide for Local Governments on How to Maximize Community Benefits, Habitat Connectivity, and Resilience (2017)
- Strategic Partnerships and Floodplain Buyouts: An Opportunity for Wetland Restoration (2017) Fast-Tracking Good Restoration Projects in the Gulf of Mexico (2017)
- BP Oil Disaster: Restoration & Recovery: Natural Resource Restoration in Alabama (2017)
- BP Oil Disaster: Restoration & Recovery: Natural Resource Restoration in Mississippi (2017)
- BP Oil Disaster: Restoration & Recovery: Natural Resource Restoration in Florida (2017) BP Oil Disaster: Restoration & Recovery: Natural Resource Restoration in Louisiana (2017)
- Developing Wetland Restoration Priorities for Climate Risk Reduction and Resilience in the MARCO Region (2016)
- A Handbook for Prioritizing Wetland and Stream Restoration and Protection Using Landscape Analysis Tools (2013)
- Catalyzing Redevelopment: Innovative Approaches and Emerging Best Practices in State Petroleum Brownfield Initiatives (2013)
- State Constraints: State-Imposed Limitations on the Authority of Agencies to Regulate Waters Beyond the Scope of the Federal Clean Water Act (2013)
- A Guide to State Management of Offshore Wind Energy in the Mid-Atlantic Region (2013) Siting Wind Energy Facilities - What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know? (2013)
- Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat, and Flood Hazards in the Cedar River Basin, Iowa (2013)
- At the Confluence of the Clean Water Act and Prior Appropriation: The Challenge and Ways Forward (2013)
- Radon in Homes: Strengthening State Policy to Reduce Risk and Save Lives (2012)
- Gulf of Mexico Habitat Conservation & Restoration: A Look at the Five U.S. Gulf States' Legal and Institutional Frameworks (2011)
- Delaware Offshore Alternative Energy Framework Review & Recommendations (2011)
- racking Implementation of the Special Need Request Process Under the Plant Protection Act (2011)
- State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role (2011)
- Siting Wind Facilities on State-Owned Lands and Waters (2011)
- Status and Trends in State Invasive Species Policy: 2002-2009
- (State Appendix) (2010)
- Habitat Conservation Opportunities in Natural Hazard Areas (2010)
- Analysis of the Numeric Water Quality Criteria Adopted by the Ten States That Border Directly on the Mississippi River (2009)
- The Next Generation of Mitigation: Linking Current and Future Mitigation Programs with State Wildlife Action Plans and Other State and Regional Plans (2009)
- Cooperative Prevention of Invasive Wildlife Introduction in Florida (2008)
- Maryland Farmland Conservation: Supporting Sustainable Use of Land through Tax Policy (2008)
- Planner's Guide to Wetland Buffers for Local Governments (2008)
- Regional and Collaborative Approaches to Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Management in Pennsylvania (2008)
- State Wetland Permitting Programs: Avoidance and Minimization Requirements (2008)
- State Wetland Protection: Status, Trends & Model Approaches (2008)
- The Role of Aquatic Invasive Species in State Listing of Impaired Waters and the TMDL Program: Seven Case Studies (2008)
- Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners: Top Implementation Strategies (2007)
- Environmental Compliance Consortium: A Memo on Measurement for Environmental Managers (2007)
- Halting the Invasion in the Chesapeake Bay: Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Introduction through Regional Cooperation (2007)
- State Wetland Program Evaluation: Phase III (2007)
- State Wetland Program Evaluation: Phase IV (2007)
- State Wildlife Action Plans and Utilities: New Conservation Opportunities for America’s Wildlife (2007)
- Strategies for Effective State Early Detection/Rapid Response Programs for Plant Pests and Pathogens (2007)
- Workshop to Explore Opportunities to Integrate the State Wildlife Action Plans into Improved Wetland Conservation and Restoration: Conference Summary Report (2007)
- Report for Great Lakes Protection Fund: Potential Federal Preemption of Laws in the Great Lakes States (2007)
- State Wetland Program Evaluation: Phase II (2007)
- State Wetland Program Evaluation: Phase I (2005)
- Beyond Enforcement: Enforcement, Compliance Assistance, and Corporate Leadership Program in Five Midwest States (2003)
- An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 2001 Update (2002)
- Role of Local Governments in Long Term Stewardship at DOE Facilities (2001)
- Putting the Pieces Together: State Nonpoint Source Enforceable Mechanisms in Context (2000)
- Locating Livestock: How Water Pollution Control Efforts Can Use Information from State Regulatory Programs (1999)
- Almanac of Enforceable State Laws to Control Nonpoint Source Water Pollution (1998)
- An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 1998 Update (1998)
- Enforceable State Mechanisms for the Control of Nonpoint Source Water (1997) Fresh Air: Innovative State and Local Programs for Improving Air Quality (1997)
- An Independent Review of the State-Federal Environmental Partnership Agreements for 1996 (1997)
- Comparison of Federal-State Allocation of Responsibility in Five Environmental Statutes (1996)
- Federal Regulations and State Flexibility in Environmental Standard Setting (1996) An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 1995 Update (1996)
- An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 1993 Update (1994)
- ELI Research Brief #2 – Reauthorizing Superfund: Lessons from the States (1993)
- New State and Local Approaches to Environmental Protection (1993)
- State Radon Legislation – Issues and Options (1993)
- The Tools of Prevention: Opportunities for Promoting Pollution Prevention Under Federal Regulations (1991) The New Air Permitting Program: The Role of the States (1992)
- An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 1991 Update (1991)
- Environmental Gatekeeping in State Laws (1991)
- Survey and Analysis of State Groundwater Classification Systems and Program Options (1990)
- Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study, 1990 Update (1990)
- An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50-State Study (1989)
Around the States Columns from The Environmental Forum
The Environmental Forum, ELI’s award-winning membership journal, delivers more than soundbites with in-depth articles, columns by the profession’s thought leaders, and the inside story on today’s critical challenges and tomorrow’s sunrise issues.
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- 2024
- 2023
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- States and Localities Aim to Stem Tide of Fast Fashion Textile Waste (November/December 2023)
- Urban Bird Treaty Cities Address Dramatic Avian Population Decline (July/August 2023)
- The Time Is Now to Ramp Up Municipal Climate Adaptation (May/June 2023)
- New York First State to Curb Footprint of Cryptocurrencies (March/April 2023)
- State Right to Repair Legislation Gains Momentum Across Nation (January/February 2023)
- 2022
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- ECOS to Prioritize Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, and PFAS (November/December 2022)
- Zoom Without Muting: Leaf Blower Bans, Restrictions Gain (September/October 2022)
- Utility Initiatives Aim to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption and Use (July/August 2022)
- Local Governments Tackle Energy Efficiency of Rental Properties (May/June 2023)
- Most Cities Well Off the Pace to Meet Needed Clean Energy Goals (March/April 2022)
- State and Local Efforts to Divert Organic Waste Steadily Advance (January/February 2022)
- 2021
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- Developments May Influence Track of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Job (September/October 2021)
- States Are Striving to Implement Full Potential of Energy Storage (July/August 2021)
- Can the Impossible Burger Lower Municipalities' Carbon Footprints? (May/June 2021)
- A New Era of Federal Engagement Begins With States and Localities (March/April 2021)
- Voters Support Green Measures in Reduced Popular Referendum Field (January/February 2021)
- 2020
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- Cities Compete for Businesses by Decarbonizing Their Grids (November/December 2020)
- Pro Bono Lawyers Draft Deep Decarbonization Model Laws (September/October 2020)
- State, Tribal, Local Citizen Science Forwards Environmental Protection (July/August 2020)
- The Wheels on the E-Bus Go Round and Round - And Reduce Carbon (May/June 2020)
- The Global Covenant of Mayors Supports Cities' Voluntary Efforts (March/April 2020)
- 2019
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- First-of-its-kind Regional Transport Program in Works for State Group (September/October 2019)
- ECOS Chief Strives for "Efficient" Alignment of State, Federal Roles (May/June 2019)
- Concern Over Increased State Pre-Emption of Some Local Initiatives (March/April 2019)
- Ballot Measures Meet with Limited Success in Face of Large Spending (January/February 2019)
- 2008-2018
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- Recycling Increased in Red States, but Blue States Still Recycle More (November/December 2018)
- Bans of Single-Use Plastics Rise in Popularity, Protecting the Oceans (September/October 2018)
- Mulch Ado About Waste Handling: Community Composting Takes Off (July/August 2018)
- Amid Urban Growth, Funding Cuts, Local Parks Face New Challenges (May/June 2018)
- States Step Up Regional Climate Change Gas Mitigation Markets (March/April 2018)
- Reports: Cities Need to Plan Now for Flooding From Sea-Level Rise (January/February 2018)
- NYU Legal Center to Assist State AGs in Battling Trump Rollbacks (November/December 2017)
- State Role in Autonomous Vehicle Rollout Key to a Green Outcome (September/October 2017)
- Attorneys General Key Players As States Chime in on Federal Policy (July/August 2017)
- Private Funding is Boosting City Resiliency Against Array of Threats (May/June 2017)
- With New Computer Standards, California Again Takes the Lead (March/April 2017)
- "No" votes mean an electoral win for solar energy in Sunshine State (January/February 2017)
- Cities are Talking Trash Again – And This Time it's Zero Trash (November/December 2016)
- Are State Agency Budgets Rising Enough to Meet New Challenges (September/October 2016)
- States and Localities are Finding a Huge Potential in Green Bonds (July/August 2016)
- Cities and States Struggling With Mitigation of Urban Heat Islands (May/June 2016)
- State Pension Plans Green Firms Through Shareholder Initiatives (March/April 2016)
- After 25 Years, States are Doing More While Facing Familiar Issues (January/February 2016)
- Increasing Federal Outreach to States (November/December 2015)
- Hawaii's New 100% Portfolio Standard (September/October 2015)
- Coordination a Key to Further Progress (July/August 2015)
- Stringency Laws Widely Adopted (May/June 2015)
- States, Cities Take on Food Waste (March/April 2015)
- Combined Sewer Overflow Notices (January/February 2015)
- Groundwater Issues Present Challenges (November/December 2014)
- State Adaptation: A Work in Progress (September/October 2014)
- A Multi-State Zero Emissions Plan (July/August 2014)
- Are State Climate Efforts on Wane? (May/June 2014)
- Cities Embrace Bike Systems (March/April 2014)
- Portfolio Standards Entrench Across U.S. (January/February 2014)
- Embracing Technology (November/December 2013)
- Urban Agriculture Initiative Grow (September/October 2013)
- Plastic Bags Laws Proliferate (May/June 2013)
- roups of Public Officials in Flux (March/April 2013)
- Ballot Measures All Over the Map (January/February 2013)
- Literacy Initiatives Flourish in States (November/December 2012)
- And the Winner Is (September/October 2012)
- Building Building Energy Codes (July/August 2012)
- Partly Sunny for Residential Solar (March/April 2012)
- States Adapting to Climate Change (January/February 2012)
- Greening the Power of the Purse (November/December 2011)
- States Bat Cleanup on AFO Pollution (September/October 2011)
- Will Mayors Hit Climate Targets? (July/August 2011)
- Enforcement: It's the Funding, Stupid (May/June 2011)
- Broad State Efforts on Toxic Controls (March/April 2011)
- A Critical Juncture in Fed-State Roles (January/February 2011)
- So Long, But State Innovation Goes On (November/December 2010)
- Texas Tailors the Tailoring Rule (September/October 2010)
- EPA, States Need to Cooperate on Bay (July/August 2010)
- Growth and Agency Roles in the States (May/June 2010)
- Arizona Pulls Out of Climate Initiative (March/April 2010)
- Fostering Efficiency and Renewables (January/February 2010)
- States Respond to Fed Energy Moves (November/December 2009)
- Funding a Home Energy Revolution (May/June 2009)
- Stimulus Could Boost Efficiency (March/April 2009)
- States Have Led But Still Need Feds (January/February 2009)
- States Collectively Manage Waters (September/October 2008)
- Climate Measures Now Commonplace (July/August 2008)