News and Press Releases

The Environmental Law Institute is widely respected as “a nonpartisan organization specializing in legal analysis and not known for taking sides in political fights,” as the New York Times has noted. When members of the media, private bar, government, business, and public interest organizations seek expert information on environmental law and policy, they turn to ELI.

Norman Brunswig of Harleyville, South Carolina has won the 2004 National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration. He will be honored at a ceremony on May 20th at the Senate Caucus Room in Washington, DC for his conservation efforts at…

Barbara Salzman of Larkspur, California has won the 2004 National Wetlands Award for Wetland Community Leader. She will be honored at a ceremony on May 20th at the Senate Caucus Room in Washington, DC for her efforts with the Marin Audubon…

Solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as disease and hunger, may come from genetic resources, portions of cells’ DNA extracted from plant, animal, and microbial sources. While valuable genetic resources abound in Africa,…

Six wetlands educators, scientists, and conservationists were selected as recipients of the 2004 National Wetlands Awards for exemplary contributions in conserving or restoring the Nation’s wetlands. They will be honored at a presentation on May…

On June 25th, 1998, the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters was adopted in the Danish city of Aarhus at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in…

While nations and corporations profit from mining operations around the world, local communities often bear the brunt of their impacts. In response, many communities are asserting that such operations are subject to their prior informed consent…

Although the North American Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) environmental side accord includes an innovative public participation component, recent practices threaten to dim this “citizen spotlight” on environmental enforcement issues. So…

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Joint Public Advisory Committee recently convened a roundtable session in Miami, FL to consider the growing problem of invasive species in North America. The JPAC roundtable — "An Unwelcome Dimension…

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 ushered in fundamental changes to our society and system of governance, including both responsive and proactive measures designed to protect Americans from terrorist acts. As the nation builds its homeland…

Beyond the publicity and debate, significant activities are underway to strengthen the protection of the nation’s citizens and resources from terrorist acts. A critical area of focus is drinking water security, which has been the subject of…