Since 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency has regulated discharges of pollution to “waters of the United States.” The meaning of … More
Category: federalism
California waives environmental regulations for forest management: will this become more common as wildfires worsen?
California experienced two of its worst wildfire seasons in 2017 and 2018. Deadly fires shook several communities, while also marring … More
Markets for clean water
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency published a memo encouraging states, tribes, and local governments to look to markets for … More
What makes conservation “collaborative”?
One of the chief benefits of embracing free market environmentalism is that it will ensure conservation is more collaborative. Where … More
Another downside to pervasive permitting: what happens when the government shuts down?
One of the lessons of the recent government shutdown (and expected near miss on a second one) is that there … More
Detroiters against free trees?
In 2014, a nonprofit tried to give thousands of trees to Detroit residents, but many declined the offer. A recent … More
Prospecting for conservation: federal mining law encourages environmental conflict rather than free-market negotiation
After President Trump reduced the size of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument, environmentalists feared the lands would be opened up … More
Environmental restoration requires better incentives
A driving force behind technological innovation and prosperity is “creative destruction.” Old enterprises and technologies are constantly replaced by new … More
How far upstream should federal regulation extend?
Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers published their proposed rewrite of the “waters of the United … More
Property rights can resolve conflict over Chesapeake Bay oysters
The Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary, with a watershed that includes six states. Because of its size and … More
