February 2007
Spreading the Word about Conservation Lobby Day
On Wednesday, February 21, join citizens from across Wisconsin at the State Capitol to tell legislators that you expect them to vote well on natural resource issues. This year, there are four Conservation Priorities: 1) Keep the Great Lakes Waters in the Great Lakes-pass and improve the Great Lakes Compact; 2) Stewardship for Wisconsin's Future- reauthorize Wisconsin's premier land preservation program; 3) Restore Conservation Integrity-pass the Hunter, Angler, Trapper Bill of Rights; and 4) Clean Energy for a Bright Economic Future-lower public school energy bills and promote manufacturing and jobs in renewable energy technologies. Legislators need to continue to hear from you! Help demonstrate that the majority of citizens in Wisconsin value clean air, clean water, special places, and sporting opportunities! For details, please visit the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters or contact Francie Gary at (608) 661-0845. To sign-up electronically, visit http://www.conservationvoters.org/.
Seeking New MEA Staffers-Legal Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, and Environmental Attorney
Midwest Environmental Advocates is looking for talented individuals with a commitment to environmental advocacy to expand our team. Applications are now being accepted for the positions of Legal Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, and Environmental Law Attorney. Applications are due February 19th.
Midwest Environmental Advocates seeks a talented and dedicated Legal Assistant to provide legal and administrative support for up to 12 people, as well as be a reliable anchor for our smooth internal day-to-day office operations. Our Legal Assistant provides general support primarily to the management aspect of our office, with occasional advocacy and litigation support as needed. The Legal Assistant is responsible for a wide variety of critical administrative support. Primary responsibilities include: front desk reception and schedule management, human resources management, computer system maintenance, bookkeeping, fundraising assistance, and administration of our law school externship program. Creativity, comfort with a fast- paced work environment, ability to both work independently and take directions, respect for confidentiality and a good sense of humor are all essential for a successful applicant. Learn more.
Midwest Environmental Advocates seeks a Litigation Paralegal to provide legal support to up to five attorneys and provide community organizing support in a variety of communities. We work on a diverse caseload, from protecting our waters and air to ensuring the government is accountable to the public interest. The Paralegal will be immersed in all phases of advocacy and litigation. Our Paralegal will be expected to do general factual research and analysis of administrative records; comment on proposed permits; edit, proofread, assemble, and file legal documents; know court procedures; maintain litigation calendars; and maintain legal files, faxing, photocopying, and other legal support duties. Learn more.
Midwest Environmental Advocates seeks an Environmental Law Attorney, who is a smart self-starter, to complement our successful environmental law practice. Applicants must have excellent legal research and writing skills with experience drafting pleadings, discovery, and briefs. The Attorney will work in a team environment on all facets of environmental litigation, collaborating with other attorneys and supervising law students. The applicant should understand and enjoy public policy and strategic advocacy that involves media, legislative, policy analysis, and organizing conducted in conjunction with effective legal advocacy. Successful applicants will show creativity and innovation in their demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy. Learn more.
Suing the DNR to Ensure Proper Environmental Review on Crude Oil Pipeline
In an effort to protect thousands of acres of valuable wetland, forestland, and waterways, a group of Wisconsin conservation organizations ended 2006 by taking a stand against the DNR's rapid approval of a 322-mile crude oil pipeline across Wisconsin. On December 21, 2006, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Friends of St. Croix Headwaters, represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates, filed suit challenging the DNR's determination that impacts from the proposed Enbridge Energy L.P. pipeline would be "insignificant." The determination allowed the DNR to approve waterway and wetland dredging permits without preparing an Environmental Impact Statement.
In the suit, brought pursuant to Wisconsin's Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), the organizations seek a full environmental assessment of pipeline impacts, including analysis of construction site runoff impacts, impacts to wetland function along the construction route, the impact of nearby ATC power lines, and more. By properly analyzing the pipeline impacts before construction, the organizations hope that all unnecessary environmental impacts are avoided and vital natural resources are protected. Learn More .
Developing the Wisconsin Environmental Justice Coalition
Madison is home to many environmental justice projects and activists. However, trying to find them and staying connected to their work is no easy task. As MEA Managing Director Pacyinz Lyfoung researched and met with different environmental justice resources and experts in the community, she heard over and over that it would be great to start a coalition to facilitate more gatherings to exchange information and be more effective in our efforts. From various fields, the Wisconsin Environmental Justice Coalition members have long worked on making progress towards environmental justice. Coalition members include longtime environmental and civil rights organizations, environmental law professors, law students, and other faculty members. The next generation of environmental attorneys that MEA trains through its clinical program will be encouraged to pursue that approach. The Coalition is a good start in strategic connection for multi-disciplinary collaboration aiming for effective environmental justice work: MEA will host the web page for the Coalition-watch for news and announcements! Learn More.
Welcoming New Intern
Midwest Environmental Advocates is happy to welcome Alan Turnquist as our spring intern from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Through our Semester Clinical Program with UW, law students have the opportunity to earn credit while working at Midwest Environmental Advocates and participating in our weekly seminars on environmental law. For more information or to apply for the Semester Clinical Program click here.
Annual Report 2006 Soon Available
Later this month, look for a copy of Midwest Environmental Advocates's Annual Report 2006 in your mailbox or view it online at www.midwestadvocates.org. It covers our fiscal year, September 1, 2005-August 31, 2006. We hope you find it as inspiring as we do!
Join our advocacy community by donating today. Your donation will be a powerful statement of your commitment to public interest environmental law. Your act of giving will help make environmental justice a reality. You can donate by mail here or you can donate online with Community Shares.
551 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53703, Telephone: 608.251.5047, Fax: 608.268.0205
Email: advocate@midwestadvocates.org Web: www.midwestadvocates.org
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