Clean Water: Still Relevant at 50 — Webinar April 8

The Clean Water Act at 50: Requiem or Resurrection? is the topic of this year’s annual symposium presented by Lewis & Clark Law School’s Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Program, in collaboration with the Environmental Law journal. Occurring April 8th, 2022 via a live webinar, the symposium is free for students and members of the general public, and has a nominal fee for attorneys and those interested in CLE credits.

The symposium connects a diverse group of industry players, stakeholders, and legal scholars as they consider the legacy of the Clean Water Act over five decades. The Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and sets quality standards for surface waters. Congress enacted the precursor to the CWA in 1948 with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Congress significantly reorganized and expanded the Act in 1972 and [the] “Clean Water Act” became the Act’s common name. Fifty years later, the CWA has had successes and challenges.

This conference commences with a welcome from Janice Weis, Associate Dean, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, and will examine four issues: TMDLs, Waters of the United States and wetlands, agricultural and non-point source pollution, and environmental justice issues. Speakers will address how these areas have evolved over time and suggest ways to make the CWA as effective in meeting its goals as possible.

EPA Regional Administrator, Region 8, Kathleen (KC) Becker sets the stage for the day long program. Following her remarks the first panel, “Water Quality and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)”, features Jamie Saul, Staff Attorney, Earthrise Law Center, Lewis & Clark Law School and Sarah Buckley, Trial Attorney, US Department of Justice, Environmental & Natural Resources Division (appearing in her personal capacity).

The second panel, “Waters of the United States and Wetlands”, features Professor Pat Parenteau, Vermont Law School, Laura Kerr, Stoel Rives, Kevin Cassidy, Senior Staff Attorney, Earthrise Law Center, Lewis & Clark Law School; and Professor Victor Flatt, University of Houston Law Center.

The third panel, “Agricultural Pollution/Non-Point Source Pollution”, features Kevin Minoli, Alston & BIrd, Tarah Heinzen, Legal Director, Food & Water Watch and Nina Bell, Executive Director, Northwest Environmental Advocates.

The fourth panel, “The CWA and Environmental Justice”, features Professor Rachael Salcido, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Professor Cliff Villa, University of New Mexico School of Law, and Professor Craig Johnston, Lewis & Clark Law School.

For additional information on the program and the speakers, please click here.