Chesapeake Legal Alliance Inc

The Chesapeake Legal Alliance, Inc. (CLA) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates free legal services for citizens and organizations in their efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. 

Founded in 2009, CLA leverages the legal talents of active and retired attorneys who care about the health of the Bay on behalf of those who cannot afford legal representation.

The problems afflicting the Chesapeake Bay are due largely to inadequate enforcement of the laws designed to reduce pollution and protect the Bay.  The situation is compounded by the fact that the health of the Bay, as well as the human and wildlife populations that inhabit its watershed, are often subject to the agendas of interest groups represented by well-paid attorneys.  CLA seeks to level the playing field by finding lawyers who will help citizens and organizations – FOR FREE (pro bono) – participate in government decision-making processes and enforcement of underutilized laws and regulations.

CLA has secured legal assistance for 66 clients since its inception in 2009.  CLA volunteer attorneys have provided thousands of pro bono hours – valued at nearly $5 million – on 76 matters for various individuals, groups and organizations that share a common concern for the Bay.  In the past year alone, CLA placed 44 new matters with volunteer attorneys – a 144% increase over 2011 placements.

CLA’s volunteer “Lawyers for the Bay” fill the gap where individuals and organizations lack the legal expertise and/or resources to address vital Bay recovery issues.  Projects range from inquiries about the application of the law and maneuvering through county hearings to large scale federal litigation and development of regulations and statutes.  Armed with high quality representation, CLA clients are able to work towards real and lasting change for the Bay.

CLA volunteer attorneys have provided assistance to:

• South Arundel Citizens for Responsible Development with testimony before county
  government tribunals regarding opposition to development of wetlands in Deale, MD, and appeal to Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
• Annapolis Environmental Commission with advice regarding Forest Conservation Act
  requirements associated with property development.
• City of Annapolis with amicus brief preparation in support of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load.
• South River Federation with securing a permit for wetland and creek restoration project.

WINS for the Bay Watershed include:

• Critical Area Protection:  Denial of plans for development that ignored critical area requirements, Forest Conservation Act requirements and zoning laws.  The result was preservation of pristine waterfront areas and protection of wetlands and important forests.
• Remediation:  A lawsuit brought by the State of Maryland against the owner of a closed landfill in Anne Arundel County, and intervention in the lawsuit to clean up the site and prevent offsite migration of pollutants.
• Wetlands Protection: Abandonment of a project to build a large scale energy transmission project that would have involved and impacted negatively the largest, historically, combined area of wetlands located in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Our volunteers work with:

• Individuals
• Waterkeepers/River Associations
• Smart Growth/Land Conservation Organizations
• Ad Hoc Community Groups
• Environmental Organizations
• Homeowners Associations
• Community Groups
• Education, Outreach and Restoration Groups
• Universities, Municipalities and Churches

CLA is funded entirely by donations from people like YOU who share our vision of a clean Chesapeake Bay that can be enjoyed for recreation and responsible food harvest, and that will sustain vibrant aquatic and wildlife populations.

Much work remains to protect the Bay . . . and CLA needs your financial assistance to keep moving forward.   Please support us with your tax-deductible donation.  Thank you!

“As a lawyer and a Riverkeeper, I have long believed that additional legal muscle was needed to back up the efforts of community groups and riverkeepers working to protect the Bay and its tributaries.  I am thrilled that CLA has taken the lead in empowering citizens with the same high quality legal firepower that the industries they challenge have enjoyed.”

Fred Kelly, Severn Riverkeeper