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Legal Advocacy

Using the law to protect our natural resources​

CLC is the only Indiana-based environmental law firm serving the public interest. We work alongside Indiana’s environmental organizations, land trusts, and community groups to fight for healthy air, clean water, sustainable land use, and protection of wildlife and wilderness areas, one case at a time. Our team of highly skilled lawyers provides each one of our clients with top-notch legal representation, free of charge, before administrative tribunals and trial and appellate courts at the state and federal levels. Below is a list of our current cases and examples of notable victories where we held polluters accountable and forced government agencies to do their job.
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We litigate to:

Combat pollution of our air and water

Protect endangered species

Advocate for the public’s right to use and enjoy Indiana’s Lake Michigan beaches

Preserve invaluable wetlands

Oppose development projects that threaten the public interest

Program

Program

Environmental Legal Aid Program

The Environmental Legal Aid Program is designed to help residents overcome systemic barriers that have led to these environmental inequities by providing legal, scientific, and technical resources that residents need to more effectively advocate for improved environmental protection in the Region.
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Conservation Law Center Matters & Cases

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  • Services

  • Case Status

Status: Closed

212-year-old Family Farm Preserved

Conservation Law Center helps George Rogers Clark Land Trust preserve 212-year-old family farm utilizing USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
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Status: Active

Standing Up for Communities in Zoning and Land Use Decisions

CLC works alongside community partners to influence environmental regulations and promote policies that protect health and the environment in the Region.
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Status: Active

Influencing Environmental Policy for a Healthier Northwest Indiana

CLC works alongside community partners to influence environmental regulations and promote policies that protect health and the environment in the Region.
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Status: Active

Supporting Research to Reduce Human–Wildlife Conflict in Tanzania

Conservation Law Center is partnering with the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), international NGOs, and academic collaborators to support research and policy development aimed at reducing human–wildlife conflict.
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Status: Active

Strengthening Environmental Safeguards Through Permitting

Through targeted permit advocacy, CLC helps ensure industrial operations in Northwest Indiana meet strong legal standards that protect community health and the environment.
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Status: Active

Conserving Nearly 4,000 Acres in Southern Indiana

Nearly 4,000 acres in Southern Indiana have been permanently conserved in a landmark effort led by the Conservation Law Center’s Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape initiative.
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Status: Active

$426,708 in Federal Funds to Support Clean Water and Indiana Forests

Indiana Forests to Faucets: Native Landscapes for Clean Water project gets new funding
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Status: Active

Ready-Set-Fire in White Oak Woodlands

This Joint Chiefs' Restoration Project will fund prescribed fire along with numerous forest management projects across 16 counties in southern Indiana.
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Status: Closed

700 Acres of Farmland and Forestland Preserved Near Lake Glendora

American Farmland Trust and Navy Partner on First REPI Easements in SISL
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Status: Closed

331 Acres of Farmland Protected

New NRCS Agricultural Land Easement in Harrison County, Indiana
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Status: Closed

Supporting the Fight Against Invasive Species

Assisted SICIM with a successful grant application
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Status: Active

Commission Violates Transparency Laws in Little Calumet River Projects

Gary Lee v. Little Calumet River Development Commission
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Status: Closed

23 Acres on Mud Creek

Land trust support for Mud Creek Conservancy
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Eagle Valley
Status: Active

Protecting the White River from Coal Ash Pollution

Hoosier Environmental Council v. IDEM, AES/Eagle Valley Generating Station
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Status: Closed

400 Acres Preserved in Indiana

Conservation Easement Assistance with Central Indiana Land Trust
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Status: Closed

Free Conservation Tool Provided to All Indiana Land Trusts

CLC created three conservation easement templates to protect natural habitat, including one for working forests and one for agricultural land.
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Status: Active

$25M Committed to Increase Private Land Conservation

Regional Conservation Partnership Program for the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape
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Status: Closed

Supporting Prescribed Fire for Healthy Forests

CLC is drafting proposed legislation to promote prescribed fire.
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Lake edge with trees and rocks
Status: Closed

Victory! Plans to Industrialize Pristine Lake Superior Shoreline for a Rocket Launch Site Thwarted 

Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior v. Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association 
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Status: Active

Maintaining Public Access to Lake Michigan Beaches

Save the Dunes v. Ind. Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), Town of Ogden Dunes 
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Building behind corn
Status: Closed

Stopping More Industrial Pollution in Gary 

Gary Advocates for Responsible Development (GARD) v. IDEM, Fulcrum BioEnergy, LLC
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Status: Active

Support for the threatened Great Green Macaw

CLC works to improve condition in Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama for the Great Green Macaw
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Status: Closed

Success, Hazardous Waste Burn has been Denied

Essroc Cement Corp. v. Clark County Bd. of Zoning Appeals and  Sierra Club
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Bison at Kankakee Sands
Status: Closed

A Win for Wetlands and Government Accountability

Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana Audubon, et al. v. Natural Prairie Indiana Farmland Holdings, LLC and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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Legal Advocacy Updates

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Legal Advocacy Staff

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Christian Freitag

Executive Director, Glenn and Donna Scolnik Clinical Chair

Contact Christian Freitag

Brad Baughn

Director of Policy and Government Affairs

Contact Brad Baughn

Kim Ferraro

Managing Attorney

Contact Kim Ferraro

Allie Gardner

Senior Associate Attorney

Contact Allie Gardner

Rob McCrea

Constance and Terry Marbach Conservation Attorney

Contact Rob McCrea

Michael Zoeller

Senior Attorney

Contact Michael Zoeller

Legal Advocacy Partners

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  • 116 South Indiana, Ste. 4
  • Bloomington IN, 47408
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