Throughout the West, abandoned mines release toxic pollutants, harming water quality, fish, and recreation opportunities. The private sector has long … More
Category: Property Rights
Endangered species bear the costs of bad incentives
The Endangered Species Act imposes significant regulatory burdens on anyone who owns land where endangered and threatened species or their … More
Supreme Court searches for path through byzantine federal land laws
Federal lands are governed by a complex thicket of laws built up over more than a century, often with too … More
Federal judge in environmental nuisance case: “Less fortunate citizens have property rights, too.”
A $100 million case against North Carolina hog farms demonstrates the critical role property rights play in protecting the environment … More
As fire risks rise, California limits insurers’ ability to react
For California, 2019 was a welcome reprieve from recent record-setting wildfire seasons. According to Cal Fire, approximately 260,000 acres burned … More
How property rights can help address environmental justice concerns
South Florida, like many coastal communities, faces tough decisions about how to adapt to changing coast lines and rising seas. … More
Should property rights give way if environmental cleanups seem too costly?
Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Atlantic Richfield v. Christian, an important case concerning whether property owners … More
How do you measure the value of a state forest?
That’s the implicit question underlying a lawsuit between Oregon counties and the state, in which a jury recently awarded the … More
Should FEMA act as a national zoning board or use market incentives to reduce disaster risk?
Last week, a nominee to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency generated fireworks when, during his confirmation hearing, he said … More
Will Oregon reopen its water market?
Water markets are an essential tool for promoting efficient use of water and increasing water available for fish and other … More
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