Tips
- There is so much legalese, jargon, technical stuff and spreadsheets. Press for the simplification and translate all this for your readers.
- Build a reference stockpile of links.
- Knowing the legal and logistical requirements help you keep those involved accountable.
- You have to prove yourself and your knowledge to environmental sources. If you can get them to trust you, you can get sources who will give you a heads up when something is wrong.
- Ask for emails and phone records of public officials.
Environmental Law
- Federal environmental statutes
- Clean Water Act
- Clean Air Act
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
- State regulations
- Permits
- Enforcement
- Notice / Public Comments
- Administrative Review
- City / Council zoning ordinances
- Notice / Public meetings
- Judicial review
- Common law
- Nuisance
- Negligence
- Trespass
- Freedom of Information Act and state open-records legislation
Resources
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- Poynter Institute – Primers on Environment
- Society of Environmental Journalists
- Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Panel
Gitte Laasby, environmental reporter for the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana
Kim Ferraro, founder of the Legal Environmental Aid Foundation of Indiana, Inc.
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