NRDC Document Bank: Water
The working materials in the NRDC Document Bank are listed in reverse chronological order. For additional policy materials including reports and issue papers, see the Issues section of the main NRDC site.
Photos of Ghost Fleet
Photos taken during January 2009 NRDC inspection of Ghost Fleet
- wat_09111705a.pdf Photo rusty deck of Ghost Fleet ship
- wat_09111705b.pdf Photo of paint flaking off hull of Ghost Fleet ship
- wat_09111705c.pdf Photo of large pieces of paint flaking off hull of Ghost Fleet ship
Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Motion for Partial Summary Judgment of Liability
Submitted by Michael Wall to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Arc Ecology, et al. v. United States Maritime Administration, et al., Case No. 2:07-cv-2320, Oct. 10, 2009
Plaintiffs' Brief In Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
Submitted by Michael Wall to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Arc Ecology, et al. v. United States Maritime Administration, et al., Case No. 2:07-cv-2320, Sept. 29, 2009
Plaintiffs' Opening Brief in Support of Motion for Partial Summary Judgment of Liability
Submitted by Michael Wall to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Arc Ecology, et al. v. United States Maritime Administration, et al., Case No. 2:07-cv-2320, Sept. 15, 2009
Support Letter for SB1 7x, as Introduced on October 23, 2009
A package of water policy bills that represents the most ambitious and comprehensive approach to state water management in more than a quarter century
Letter in support of the FRAC Act to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act , signed by 160 national, regional, state, and local organizations
A September, 2009 letter signed by 160 national, regional, state and local organizations, including conservation, faith, sportsmen and community organizations, urging members of Congress to co-sponsor S. 1215/ H.R. 2766, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act. This important legislation would repeal an exemption in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for an oil and gas technique called hydraulic fracturing. It would also require public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Letter to Army Corps of Engineers Regarding Nationwide Permit for Gregory Canyon Landfill
Joining a diverse coalition of advocates for Native American rights, clean drinking water, and habitat preservation, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on September 10, 2009 urging the Corps to reject a request to fast-track its review of a proposed landfill on the banks of the San Luis Rey River. The landfill applicant, Gregory Canyon Ltd., has requested that the Corps forgo full environmental review of a massive 308-acre landfill in unspoiled Gregory Canyon in San Diego County.
The Atlantic Coast's Ancient Submarine Canyons and Seamounts
Nestled into the Atlantic Coast’s continental shelf are a series of deep submarine canyons and soaring seamounts, resembling the canyons and mountains of the American West.
These unique habitats provide critical natural refuges for a diversity of marine life, from colorful deep sea corals to giant sperm whales. Relatively undisturbed for thousands of years, these sanctuaries are now in danger of irreversible damage from advanced fishing technologies and renewed oil and gas exploration.
Investigations of the Feasibility and Benefits of Low-Impact Site Design Practices (LID) for Ventura County and the San Francisco Bay Area
These two analysis were written by Richard R. Horner for NRDC.
NY State Ballast Water Challenge Decision
The New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, dismissed a challenge to permit conditions issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under the Clean Water Act to control discharges of invasive species from ocean-going vessels into the freshwater ecosystems of the Great Lakes. Shipping interests had argued that the State’s restrictions were both illegal under state law and unconstitutional, largely because they were more strict than those in U.S. EPA’s nationwide Clean Water Act general permit. This decision affirms New York’s decision to join California and Michigan as leaders in setting high standards to regulate biological pollution in vessels’ ballast water. Our litigation challenging U.S. EPA’s general permit, which was issued in the final days of the previous Administration, remains pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
NRDC Comment Letter to the Navy on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for the Northwest Training Range Complex
This is a comment letter to the Navy regarding its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Northwest Training Range Complex, which encompasses waters off Washington, Oregon and northern California. In sum, the Navy's environmental analysis falls far short of what federal law requires: the Navy fails to explain potential environmental and cumulative impacts, to analyze all reasonable alternatives, and to delineate measures that may actually mitigate harm.
Congressional Letter to Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy dated February 13, 2009
Letter sent by six of the seven Oregon delegates to the Navy requesting an extension of the public comment period for the Navy’s Northwest Training Range Complex. The letter also chastises the Navy for misrepresenting its obligations under a recent settlement agreement with NRDC.
NRDC Asks the Navy to Extend the Public Comment Period for the NW Training Range Complex
The public's opportunity to comment on the NWTRC Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been frustrated by numerous naval web site issues, preventing the public from providing feedback on the NW Training Range Complex.
January 20, 2009 Letter to Michael Payne, National Marine Fisheries Service
NRDC’s final comments regarding the U.S. Navy’s request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction of and training activities in an Undersea Warfare Training Range (“USWTR”) proposed off the coast of northeastern Florida. The letter urges NMFS to deny the Navy’s request because of the proposed site’s proximity to North Atlantic right whale critical habitat and calving grounds. Siting USWTR next to this critical habitat could affect the survival of this critically endangered species.
NRDC Keyport Range Complex Extension Comment Letter
This letter summarizes NRDC's response to a massive naval extension proposed of the Keyport Range Complex in Washington state. The proposed expansion would extend the Quinault Underwater Tracking Range site over 1700 square nautical miles in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, a region of extraordinary biological diversity that provides habitat or migratory area for 29 species of marine mammals including eight threatened or endangered species of whales such as the highly endangered Southern Resident killer whales, otters and pinnipeds. NRDC believes the Navy fails to consider a variety of other options, alternatives, and common sense mitigation measures -- some employed by other navies -- that would reduce the impacts.
NRDC's Brief for Respondents in US Supreme Court Sonar Case
On September 8, 2008, NRDC filed its brief in response to the Navy's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Navy has asked the Court to vacate the preliminary injunction issued and affirmed by the lower federal courts with respect to the Navy's two-year program of sonar training exercises off the Southern California coast.
Federal Appellate Court Upholds Decision to Keep Water Safe From Construction Pollution
Opinion and court order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, affirming the decision from the lower court that EPA has a mandatory duty to set technology-based standards to control water pollution from the construction and development industry.
Testimony of Mae Wu on Bottled Water
NRDC Attorney Mae Wu testifies before a Senate subcommittee that the bottled water that millions of Americans drink each day is allowed to contain more toxic chemicals than tap water. Wu calls for testing bottled water and labels that would let the public know what they're actually drinking.
Final Settlement Agreement Outlining U.S. Navy's Use of LFA Sonar in Pacific Ocean, 2008
NRDC v Gutierrez outlines the specific longitude and latitude of the Western Pacific and Hawaii regions permissable for Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar tests and training exercises conducted by the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy is required by federal law to apply for renewal of their LFA permit every five years. NRDC made a similar agreement with the Navy during the 2002 permit process and engaged in negotiations in March and May of 2008 regarding the 2007 permit process.
Hunt's Point Sewage Facility Map
NRDC filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mothers on the Move, a Bronx community group who seek remedy for the foul odors emanating from two sewage facilities in the New York borough's Hunt Point district. The two facilities and the locations of each plaintiff's home are highlighted in the map above. Also shown is the location of Barretto Point Park, the district's main public greenspace, which is sandwiched between the two sewage facilities.
A Common Vision for Environmentally Sustainable Seafood
By identifying a clear and consistent vision for sustainable seafood, NRDC and other members of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions seek to ensure a long-lasting seafood supply and preserve the health of ocean and freshwater ecosystems.
- wat_08050801a.pdf Common Vision
- wat_08050801b.pdf Frequently Asked Questions
- wat_08050801c.pdf Seafood Facts for North America
- wat_08050801d.pdf Key Impacts of Commonly Farmed Fish
Ninth Circuit Opinion
Appellate Court upholds protections for marine mammals in training with high intensity sonar.
Court Order Granting Preliminary Injunction in LFA Sonar Lawsuit
Opinion and court order, issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, granting in part a motion by NRDC and other plaintiffs for a preliminary injunction limiting the U.S. Navy's peacetime use of low frequency sonar, known as Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System ("SURTASS") Low Frequency Active ("LFA"), for training, testing and routine operations.
Court Order Denying Presidential Waivers on Sonar
February 4, 2008 court order reaffirms an injunction issued early in January, requiring the Navy to reduce harm to whales and other marine mammals from sonar training.
Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Opposition to Application to Vacate Preliminary Injunction or to Partially Stay Pending Appeal
Brief filed January 22, 2008 in response to the Bush administration's attempt to exempt the Navy from the National Environmental Policy Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
Order for Temporary Partial Stay in NRDC v Winter
Two-page order by Judge Florence-Marie Cooper temporarily staying part of her own injunction requiring the Navy to protect whales from high-intensity sonar during upcoming training exercises in Southern California waters.
Order in NRDC v Winter
This January 16, 2008 order from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sends the Navy's sonar appeal back to the trial court where the injunction originated.
Sonar Injunction in SOCAL Naval Exercises
This January 3, 2008 injunction by a federal district court acting on remand from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, orders the Navy to implement a series of mitigation measures to protect marine mammals from harm caused by mid-frequency sonar, which the Nanvy plans to use during nearly a dozen exercises scheduled off of Southern California in the coming months.
NRDC Policy Statement on the Cosco Busan Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay
The November 7 oil spill in San Francisco Bay is a tragic reminder of the fragility of our coastal ecosystems as well as the risks of relying on fossil fuels. This Novemebr 17, 2007 statement contains NRDC's recommendations for oil spills in California.
Court Order from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Limiting Sonar Use Off Southern California
The federal appeals court ordered the U.S. Navy not to use a dangerous form of high-intensity sonar in its future training exercises off Southern California until serious questions over likely harm to marine mammals can be resolved.
The 35th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act: Successes and Future Challenges
Testimony of Peter Lehner, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, House of Representatives on October 18, 2007.
Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change
Meeting the growing demand for conveniently located homes in walkable neighborhoods could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation's carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices, according to a team of leading urban planning researchers. In a comprehensive review of dozens of studies, published by the Urban Land Institute, the researchers conclude that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.
NRDC v. Johnson, Order Granting Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
Court order ruling in NRDC's favor that EPA has failed to published new or revised water quality criteria by the October 2005 deadline established in the BEACH Act.
Suit Against the U.S. Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Training Exercise in Hawaii
Filed June 28, 2006 in U.S. District Court against The U.S. Navy and National Marine Fisheries Service
The U.S. Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Training Exercise Poses Significant Danger to Hawaii's Environment and Marine Life
Letter to NMFS Re: Proposed Incidental Take Authorization for the U.S. Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Training Exercise, May 24, 2006
Trash Impairs the Anacostia Watershed, 24 Groups Ask Maryland Authorities to Take Action
Letter to Maryland Department of the Environment, March 1, 2006
Time to Demonstrate Commitment to a Coordinated, Comprehensive National Ocean Policy
This September 17, 2004, letter from NRDC executive director Frances Beinecke to President Bush urges the president to act quickly on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's call to restore our nation's ocean health.
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