College of Law
2014-2015
Natural Resources and Environmental Law In this fifth annual newsletter, we are proud to report on our expanding capacity in the area of natural resources and environmental law (NREL) at the University of Idaho College of Law. Over the past year, to broaden our focus on the integration of law and science, we added a field course and a peer-reviewed, NREL edition of the Idaho Law Review. These additions build on an already vibrant program and community of students who work with seven law faculty and numerous other natural resources and environmental science faculty across campus committed to helping students further their knowledge and skills in solving the difficult NREL problems facing us in the coming years. Together, with the strong emphases on public service and pro bono activity at the UI College of Law, we are committed to promoting the knowledge and skills students need to contribute to sustainable and equitable stewardship of the environment. For more information, please visit the College of Law’s NREL website: uidaho.edu/nrel.
Environmental Law Society The Environmental Law Society (ELS), one of the most active student groups, had a productive 2014-15 academic year. We began with the annual law school community rafting trip, braving the rapids along the beautiful, wild and scenic Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho. The fall semester also included two visitors. Dr. Tom O’Keefe, an aquatic ecologist who works for the nonprofit, American Whitewater, presented on the removal of low-economic value dams in the Pacific Northwest, and Murray Feldman, an attorney at Holland & Hart in Boise, who discussed climate change considerations and the Endangered Species Act. So as not to interfere with final exam preparations, we wrapped up the semester in early November by co-sponsoring a hike to Kamiak Butte State Park with the Idaho Law Health & Fitness student organization. After winter break, the ELS immediately sponsored
a live streaming of the CLE, Science in Litigation: Admission of Evidence and Working with Experts, to the courtroom. March and early April were very busy. The ELS had its annual elections, and along with the Veterans Law Association, Palouse Land Trust and Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, we showed two documentaries: School’s Out and Fight No More Forever, free of charge, at the Kenworthy. The ELS also donated funds so Dr. Jerome Montague, a natural resources analyst for the U.S. military, could speak at the Native American Law Conference. He also gave a separate presentation on the Ecology of Climate Change. In April, we showed Under the Dome, a documentary on air pollution in China, moderated by Professor Anastasia Telesetsky. To finish out the year, we co-hosted, with the Student Bar Association, a cleanup of Highway 95 a few miles south of Moscow.