Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

Category: Land Use Program


Hyde Park Neighborhood Files Lawsuit Against Industrial Property Owners for Hazardous Conditions

The lawsuit alleges that the properties are being used in violation of the zoning code and concern buildings in disrepair, vehicles blocking sidewalk and street access and illegal dumping, and is in response to years of complaints made to the City by Hyde Park residents. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that industrial waste, toxic chemicals and other forms of improper waste disposal at these properties are in violation of both St. Louis City ordinances and Missouri environmental laws.

Read More

An Update From Our Sustainable Lands Program

We are fighting to close illegal roads in Ozark National Scenic Riverways and opposing a proposed mine along the Eleven Point River.

Read More

Great Rivers Doubles Down in Fight Against Maryland Heights Floodplain Development

The proposed construction site sits adjacent to Creve Coeur Lake Park, abutting wetlands considered by the National Audubon Society to be an “urban oasis” for many migrating waders, waterfowl, and shorebirds, and the bird watchers who come to see them.

Read More

Great Rivers Joins Petition Opposing Weakening of Endangered Species Act Guidelines

A monarch butterfly lands on Echinacea

The proposed changes would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to more easily exclude from protection vital habitat endangered species depend on.

Read More

Citizens and Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Continue Partnership to fight Commercial Development

A neighborhood initiative to prevent construction of a concrete plant enters its sixth consecutive year.

Read More

Great Rivers Files Comments Challenging Legality of Cuts to NEPA

The changes would threaten local natural resources and exacerbate climate instability.

Read More

Great Rivers Files Objections to Reckless Timber Harvest of Shawnee National Forest

As CO2 levels climb daily to new record levels, the last thing we need to do is to clear cut our forests.

Read More

Success! Subsidized Development of 2,409 acres Abutting Wetlands and Creve Coeur Park CANCELLED

When environmental concerns about the development seemed to fall on deaf ears, Great Rivers attorneys Bob Menees and Sarah Rubenstein raised important issues about the legality of the proposed plan.

Read More

Great Rivers Files Comments Opposing Maryland Heights’ Myopic Plan to Develop Floodplain at Taxpayers’ Expense

The City’s proposal for over $85,000,000 in tax incentives would jeopardize downstream citizens, vulnerable wildlife, and the funding of vital community services.

Read More

Great Rivers Works to Help Fight Fracking in Illinois; Court Orders Records to be Made Public

Fracking is harmful to air and water quality. Great Rivers’ intern helped fight fracking in Illinois.

Read More

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Appeals Trial Court Ruling to Missouri Supreme Court Over Legislature’s Unconstitutionally Passing Law Hostile to State Parks

Great Rivers files notice of appeal to Missouri Supreme Court over S.B. 35

Read More

Developer Drops Fight for Silica Sand Mine!

Fight over silica sand mine is over for now.

Read More

Citizens in Jefferson County Get a Voice in Court

A group of citizens has been working hard to preserve the air and water quality near their homes since 2018. Now they’re getting a voice in Court.

Read More

Citizens Forced to go to Court for Third Time in their Fight to Stop a Concrete Plant Proposed for Land near Shaw Nature Reserve

On March 12, 2019, the Franklin County Commission voted to approve a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation allowing a concrete plant to be built near residences. The citizens who live nearby will go to court to fight this decision.

Read More

Franklin County Residents Speak Against Concrete Plant Near Shaw Nature Reserve at Hearing

A dedicated group of Franklin County residents spoke yesterday at a public hearing regarding a developer’s request to re-zone land near their homes so he can build a concrete plant. Great Rivers has represented a group of citizens on this matter since 2014.

Read More

Victory! Developer Abandons Plans to Build Silica Sand Mine in Hillsboro, MO

A developer has shelved his plans to develop a silica sand mine in a residential and agricultural neighborhood in Hillsboro, Missouri.

Read More

Great Rivers Represents Citizens for Third Time in their Fight to Stop a Concrete Plant Proposed for Land Near Shaw Nature Reserve

For the third time, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center is representing citizens in Franklin County who are fighting to prevent a concrete plant on land near residences and Shaw Nature Reserve.

Read More

Citizens File Suit Challenging Zoning Change Allowing Subdivision in Missouri Research Park

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center filed suit in the St. Charles County Circuit Court on behalf of Weldon Woods, Inc., and a citizen of Weldon Spring, asking the Court to void the rezoning allowing a huge subdivision to be built on wooded bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.

Read More

GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER AND THE MISSOURI COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SUE STATE OF MISSOURI FOR UNCONSTITUTIONALLY PASSING LAW HOSTILE TO STATE PARKS

Great Rivers sues the state of Missouri for passing SB35 in an unconstitutional manner.

Read More

Victory for Residents of Franklin County, MO! Planning and Zoning Commission Must Allow People to Speak at Hearings Before Voting – and Construction on a Concrete Plant is Halted!

Court decision upholds citizens right to be heard and halts construction of a concrete plant in Franklin County, Missouri.

Read More