Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

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Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper Send Notices of Intent to Sue Under the Clean Water Act to Two Missouri Sewage Plants for Visible Water Pollution

Water treatment facilities in rural Missouri and the state’s largest metro area both accused of violating bedrock federal environmental law.

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Protection Won for Missouri Youth

With the passage of the GET LEAD OUT OF DRINKING WATER ACT on July 1, 2022, Madeline’s work bore tremendous fruit. The bill requires any public school, private school, or provider of an early childhood education program that receives state funding to test for lead in their institution’s drinking water fixtures and to install filters to remediate those sources that are compromised.   

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Concerned Groups Move to Block Coal Mine Pollution From Being Dumped Into Big Muddy River

Great Rivers is representing Sierra Club Illinois and Prairie Rivers Network in an appeal of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency decision to grant a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to Williamson Energy LLC, the owner of Pond Creek coal mine. In the newly granted permit, the IEPA declined to even consider placing a proper limit on chloride releases from the Pond Creek coal mine, despite the harmful impact excess chloride can have on wildlife in the river, and allows level of iron, sulfate and other pollutants that will harm the environment and potentially public health.  

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Meet Great Rivers’ 2022 Interns

Meet Great River’s talented 2022 interns.

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St. Louis on the Air Features President Bruce Morrison

St. Louis on the Air host Sarah Fenske sat down with Bruce Morrison, President of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, and Steve Taylor, press secretary for the Global Justice Ecology Project, to discuss new federal funding designated to remediate Superfund sites in Missouri. The conversation focused on the factors the EPA considers for site selection, the impact of site remediation on Missouri residents, and the importance of environmental justice and citizen advocacy.

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Resolution to Increase Solar Opportunities Reached; Advocacy for Accelerated Coal Retirements Continues

Great Rivers has reached a joint resolution with Ameren Missouri to identify opportunities benefiting underserved communities through the deployment of renewable resources, efficient electrification, and energy savings programs.

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Combatting the Threat of PFAS

Great Rivers, Sierra Club, and Prairie Rivers Network threaten a citizen suit against Sugar Camp Energy and American Consolidated Natural Resources.

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Cleaning Up the Hyde Park Neighborhood

Great Rivers is working to improve the quality of life in St. Louis’s Hyde Park Neighborhood.

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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.

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President’s Letter

An update from Great Rivers’ president.

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Will We Freeze This Winter? A Response to Spire.

Spire isn’t telling the whole truth, which is that it’s scare mongering to escape a dilemma of its own making. Via Henry Robertson.

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Notice Filed of Intent to Sue Coal Mine Operator over Illegal Discharge of PFAS-Laden Foam

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are highly persistent “forever chemicals” that, when ingested, can lead to serious health problems including cancer and organ and immune system damage.

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Protecting the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Great Rivers has raised legal concerns about a National Park Service plan to manage illegally created roads and trails within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

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How to Make the Most of Nature: Activities and Outings for Families to Prevent Nature-Deficit Disorder

Spending time in nature has proven to be a lifesaver during the pandemic — after all, exploring local parks, hiking trails, or even just relaxing in your backyard are all safe ways to escape being stuck inside while maintaining social distancing guidelines. But as it turns out, being outside has a whole host of physical and mental health benefits that will last long after COVID has passed.

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Attorney Spotlight – Sarah Rubenstein

Great Rivers Attorney Sarah Rubenstein reflects on what inspires her work, what she hopes to accomplish, and what cases have been the most difficult – and rewarding.

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Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Selected to Best Law Firms in America 2021

Best Lawyers®, the oldest and most highly respected peer review guide to excellence in the legal profession, has named Great Rivers Environmental Law Center to its 2021 edition of The Best Law Firms in America in the practice area of Environmental Litigation.

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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.

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