Coastal

Jury Deliberates in Groundbreaking $2.6 Billion Chevron Trial Over Louisiana Coastal Restoration

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Pointe à la Hache, La. — A profound legal clash that could see Chevron facing up to $2.6 billion in damages is unfolding as a Plaquemines Parish jury deliberates the fate of Louisiana coastal wetlands, marking a significant moment in environmental and corporate accountability. The four-week trial centered on allegations that Texaco, acquired by Chevron in 2001, disregarded state environmental laws, contributing to severe land loss and pollution in Breton Sound. The case, initially filed by Plaquemines Parish in November 2013, has finally reached the jury after a series of legal maneuvers including attempts by … Read more

Maine Surfriders Rally for Reform: A Crusade to Simplify Age-Old Coastal Access Rules

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PORTLAND, Maine — In Maine, the fight for public coastal access has intensified, with the Maine chapter of the Surfrider Foundation leading a spirited campaign to challenge and ultimately reform longstanding and restrictive shoreline access laws. This push aims to balance property rights with public freedom to enjoy the state’s picturesque beaches. For decades, Maine’s coastal access laws have been a complex web of regulations. Unlike in many other states where the public can freely roam beaches up to the high tide line, in Maine, the law restricts access above the low tide line, essentially … Read more

Coastal Battle: Homeowners vs. California Coastal Commission in Fight Over Sea Wall Construction

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HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — A battle over coastal property rights is brewing in Half Moon Bay, California, as rising sea levels pose a growing threat to the state’s cherished coastline. Last winter, severe storms caused extensive damage along California’s coast, and while most of the destruction has been repaired, a different kind of turmoil is stirring in this residential area. Homeowners in the Casa Mira complex are fighting for the right to build sea walls to protect their properties from further erosion. The trouble began in 2016 when a severe storm caused 20 feet … Read more