Understanding and Protecting Natural Resources

Abstract

"Over the years, environmental pollution has spawned a great deal of public and private litigation and related governmental investigations. One type of claim, however, has seen little contemporary litigation: claims for natural resource damages (NRD). The relative dearth of NRD claims being pursued is unusual given the breadth of available legal theories and the compelling public interest at stake. The goal of this article is to explain the importance of NRD programs and evaluate the process of bringing and defending NRD claims in the United States."