Now More than Ever: Trends in Environmental Citizen Suits at 30

48 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2009

See all articles by James R. May

James R. May

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law; Widener University Delaware Law School; Haub School of Law at Pace University

Date Written: January 1, 2003

Abstract

This article surveys and analyses trends in the astonishing arena of environmental citizen suits. Environmental citizen suits matter. Borne in a fulcrum of necessity due to inadequate resources and resolve, and borrowing a bit from common law qui tam without the bounty, Congress has experimented by providing citizens the remarkable authority to file federal lawsuits as "private attorneys general" to enforce many of the nation's environmental laws. And enforce they do. Despite ever more cascading burdens respecting notice, jurisdiction, preclusion, actions against EPA and third parties, remedies, SEPs and attorney fees, there are more reported environmental citizen suits than ever. On average, citizens send more than one notice of intent to sue a day, and file more than one lawsuit a week. These efforts help advance the rule of law and keep agencies honest. But there are signs citizen suits are needed now more than ever. EPA is referring fewer cases to DOJ. Trend data shows EPA civil judicial settlement, the value of injunctive relief, judicial and administrative penalties, and SEP values are in overall decline. Even without these considerations, environmental enforcement is losing ground. This article concludes by explaining the need and worth of environmental citizen suits.

Keywords: environmental law, citizen suits

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

May, James, Now More than Ever: Trends in Environmental Citizen Suits at 30 (January 1, 2003). Widener Law Review, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1334221

James May (Contact Author)

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law ( email )

1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
United States

Widener University Delaware Law School ( email )

4601 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803-0406
United States

Haub School of Law at Pace University ( email )

78 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
United States

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