Resources

Maryland Legislative Roundup 2023

Maryland Legislative Roundup 2023

April 12, 2023

Maryland’s 2023 legislative session did not end with quite the bang as the 2022 session. There was no generational climate legislation, nor a major transformational shift in the way water pollution is regulated.

Standing Last in Line: The Hurdles to Bringing Environmental Accountability Lawsuits in Maryland

Standing Last in Line: The Hurdles to Bringing Environmental Accountability Lawsuits in Maryland

December 5, 2022

In the United States, courts are a central part of the system designed to address the threats that pollution poses to both public health and the environment.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastics Packaging: Opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastics Packaging: Opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

November 30, 2022

Chesapeake Legal Alliance and the Chesapeake Bay Commission have released a joint policy report examining policy considerations for the proper disposal of plastics packaging

Maryland Legislative Roundup 2022

Maryland Legislative Roundup 2022

April 19, 2022

The 2022 Maryland legislative session will be remembered as a landmark year for environmental legislation.

State Structures of Government: Embracing Our Differences

State Structures of Government: Embracing Our Differences

July 14, 2020

Waterways don’t respect state lines, but regulations often do. Understanding the unique structure of each Bay state helps us create and enforce policies that effectively protect local water quality.

Groundwater Permit and Spray Field Advocacy Opportunities in Maryland

Groundwater Permit and Spray Field Advocacy Opportunities in Maryland

April 30, 2020

This advocacy guide offers an overview of the key legal and policy frameworks that govern groundwater discharge permits in Maryland.

Can a Government Meeting be “Open” When We Are All at Home?

Can a Government Meeting be “Open” When We Are All at Home?

April 26, 2020

According to EPA’s Public Participation Guide, public participation “consists of a series of activities and actions by a sponsor agency over the full lifespan of a project to both inform the public and obtain input from them.

Water Cooler Chat Series – Episode 2: Advancing Public Interest Work

Water Cooler Chat Series – Episode 2: Advancing Public Interest Work

October 24, 2025

Celebrate Pro Bono Week with the Chesapeake Legal Alliance! Join CLA Staff Attorney and Pro Bono Coordinator Morgana Omaleki for a 30-minute Water Cooler Chat exploring the evolving landscape of pro bono environmental law. Learn how CLA’s Pro Bono Program supports public interest work, empowers communities, and creates opportunities for volunteer attorneys to make a difference.

Water Cooler Chat Series – Episode 1: Public Participation in Rulemaking

Water Cooler Chat Series – Episode 1: Public Participation in Rulemaking

September 26, 2025

Join CLA's Associate Director of Education & Virginia Policy, Jackie Goodrum, for a 30-min conversation on crafting effective public comments, capturing agency attention, and building coalitions to influence policy regulations.

CLA Presents on Citizen Suit Enforcement of Construction Stormwater Violations

CLA Presents on Citizen Suit Enforcement of Construction Stormwater Violations

December 11, 2023

On November 28, 2023, Patrick DeArmey (Staff Attorney, CLA) and Fred Tutman (Patuxent Riverkeeper) joined the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance.

Clean Water Act Fundamentals Webinar

Clean Water Act Fundamentals Webinar

December 6, 2023

This webinar, presented by CLA Senior Attorneys Angela Haren and Molly Brown, explores the history of the Clean Water Act (CWA), its fundamental statutory components, and its influence on state laws and local water quality.

CLA Presents: The Most Important Fish in the Bay – Where Did the Bay’s Menhaden Go and Why Does It Matter?

CLA Presents: The Most Important Fish in the Bay – Where Did the Bay’s Menhaden Go and Why Does It Matter?

October 26, 2023

On October 26, CLA’s Executive Director David Reed and Staff Attorney Will Halnon hosted a webinar highlighting the critical role of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and their impact on local economies.

CLA Helps Environmental Lawyers Navigate the Permitting Process

CLA Helps Environmental Lawyers Navigate the Permitting Process

August 1, 2023

Patrick DeArmey and Morgan Johnson, along with Jim Hecker of Public Justice, participated in the Environmental Law Institute and Pro Bono Clearinghouse’s CLE series on community lawyering for Environmental Justice.

CLA Presents: Sackett v. EPA—What Does It Mean for the Bay?

CLA Presents: Sackett v. EPA—What Does It Mean for the Bay?

June 22, 2023

On May 25th, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, narrowing the scope of federal authority under the Clean Water Act.

CLA Presents: Learning Land Use – How You Can Influence Local Development!

CLA Presents: Learning Land Use – How You Can Influence Local Development!

October 6, 2022

Join us for a virtual webinar with CLA’s Russ Stevenson, who will guide you on how to get involved in and influence local development in your community!

CLA and BWB Talk Wastewater Woes on NPR

CLA and BWB Talk Wastewater Woes on NPR

April 12, 2022

In a recent interview with Midday WYPR, CLA’s Angela Haren and colleagues explained why addressing pollution at Maryland’s two largest wastewater treatment plants is essential for protecting public health.

Embracing our Differences—How the Structures of our State Governments Influence Policy Making (Recording Available)

Embracing our Differences—How the Structures of our State Governments Influence Policy Making (Recording Available)

May 20, 2021

Cohosted by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and Chesapeake Legal Alliance, this webinar, presented by CLA’s Molly Brown, provides a behind-the-scenes comparison of how the government structures of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia influence policy making.

Exploring Maryland’s Environmental Policy Act

Exploring Maryland’s Environmental Policy Act

October 14, 2020

This webinar explores the Maryland Environmental Policy Act, a long-overlooked statute with significant potential as a tool for environmental protection.

Clean Water Act Enforcement Webinar

Clean Water Act Enforcement Webinar

July 28, 2020

This webinar explores how community members can use the law to protect their local waterways. CLA attorneys Angela Haren and Patrick DeArmey present an overview of legal tools and strategies that empower citizens to safeguard their water resources.