Law Commons^™

The Right To Flourish, Regenerate, And Evolve: Towards Juridical Personhood For An Ecosystem, Nicholas Bilof

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

This article will examine two at-risk American rivers through a comparison of the different legal approaches brought by the citizens and conservation groups fighting to protect them. Through analysis of the two lawsuits, this article will highlight the flaws of the traditional approach, and introduce a novel proposal for a shift in the lens under which nature is considered in American jurisprudence.

Part I will survey the Suwannee River and a citizen suit against a poultry-packing plant accused of illegally fouling its waters through repeated violations of an EPA-issued permit governing wastewater discharges. This suit represents the congressionally-created traditional avenue …

Taking A Breath: Lessons For The Port Of Oakland From The Clean Trucks Program At The Ports Of Los Angeles And Long Beach, Julia Chernova

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

This article first discusses and explains the laws that govern air quality at the major California ports. Then, it explores the Clean Truck Program (CTP) implemented by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to improve port-related air quality and address public health issues in low-income areas caused by drayage trucks emissions. Next, it discusses a comparison of truck air pollution regulations at the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. Finally, this article argues that it is necessary for the port of Oakland to adopt measures used by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to …

Powering Mary Jane: Marijuana And Electric Public Utilities, Ryan Dadgari

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

The discourse surrounding legalizing marijuana use and cultivation is full of political, legal, and economic voices. While some discussions address the high electricity consumption of marijuana grow operations and their effects on the energy grid, few—if any—discuss whether or not public utilities could be held federally liable for supplying power to marijuana grows and incentivizing growers to use more energy efficient methods. Just as banks, doctors and lawyers could be at risk for providing their services to this emerging industry, so too could public utilities. In some cases, utilities that refuse to provide service to state-legal marijuana grow operations experience …

A Battle Over Oysters: Drakes Bay Oyster Co. V. Jewell And Its Aftermath, Elena Idell

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

This comment summarizes the saga of Drakes Bay Oyster Company (DBOC), located in Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco. Owned and operated by the Lunny family, DBOC battled the National Park Service (NPS) in an attempt to compel the NPS to renew its special use permit (SUP). The SUP allowed DBOC to operate within Point Reyes National Seashore. This conflict pitted environmentalists against each other. Supporters of local, sustainable agriculture were on one side of the environmental debate. Traditional environmentalists, representing the other side, advocated for returning uninhabited areas to an untouched …

Cherishing The Coast: California Goes Long, Ariel Rubissow Okamoto, Nate Seltenrich, Lisa Owens Viani, Jonathon Gurish

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

This article focuses on the California Coastal Conservancy. It explores the Conservancy’s uniquely proactive approach to coastal zone management through both oral history (collected via telephone interviews) and literature research. In general, being proactive has involved the Conservancy in activities such as identifying coastal areas or wildlife habitats in need of protection; developing plans and priorities for acquisition or restoration; assembling and supporting local stewards and partners; leading and shepherding collaborative projects to fruition; and often providing significant funding.

Front Matter

Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal

Front Matter includes Masthead, list of faculty and staff, and Table of Contents.