Defenders' Experts
Media Contacts
Please direct media inquiries to:
Marine and Freshwater Docket
The nation's waters and wetlands provide vital habitat for many of our most imperiled fish and wildlife. Vigorous enforcement of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act is critical to the survival of these species and the fragile river and wetland ecosystems upon which they depend.
California Vernal Pool Critical Habitat
Consolidated lawsuit in which Defenders challenged the Fish and Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers' critical habitat exclusions for 15 vernal pool species in central California, while also intervening to defend FWS's designations from a challenge brought by developers.
Nevada Ground Water
Litigation regarding the Nevada State Engineer's refusal to provide for public participation in relation to groundwater development proposals in southern and eastern Nevada, the largest of which is the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project.
Arizona Public Trust
Challenges to Arizona Navigable Streams Adjudication Commission determinations of non-navigability for Arizona rivers that disclaim all of the state’s public trust interests in the beds of several rivers in the state.
Federal Wetlands
Amicus brief filed in U.S. Supreme Court case addressing whether the Commerce Clause permits Congress to regulate intrastate wetlands and tributaries under the Clean Water Act.
Sunrise-Douglas Vernal Pool
Litigation against the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for failing to initiate or complete ESA or National Environmental Policy act analysis in connection with adoption of the Sunrise-Douglas Community Plan Area Strategy.
Rio Grande Silvery Minnow
Litigation to compel federal agencies to manage federal water projects along the Middle Rio Grande in a manner that provides adequate flow for the health of the river ecosystem and the survival of the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, southwestern willow flycatcher and other fish and wildlife.
South Florida WMD - Everglades
In September 1988, the U.S. filed suit against South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, seeking enforcement of state water quality laws protecting Everglades National Park and the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Coal Combustion Waste Campaign
Coal combustion waste – also known as “coal ash” or “fly ash” – is a hazardous toxic byproduct of coal-fired power plans and is notorious for its contamination of groundwater and surface water. In cooperation with the Environmental Integrity Project, Defenders is pursuing a multi-faceted campaign to address the issue of unregulated coal ash. Securing strong effluent limitations for these toxic pollutants is critical.
