Annual Red Clay Conference to focus on emerging environmental issues affecting Georgia

Abstract

Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia School of Law will host the 32nd Annual Red Clay Conference Feb. 21. "Overcoming Toxic Relationships" is the title of the daylong event, which will address coal ash disposal, brownfield redevelopment in Georgia and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

"We selected this theme because we wanted to cover emerging environmental issues affecting Georgia," conference organizer and second-year law student Christopher J. "Chris" Bertrand said. "Also, to recognize the 40th birthday of Superfund, we included a panel on brownfield redevelopment. We encourage anyone interested in environmental issues and law in the Southeast to attend and contribute to important discussions with environmental experts, attorneys and practitioners as well as stakeholders and likeminded citizens."

The Peter Appel Lecture will be delivered by environmental activist Lois Gibbs, who is known for her work with New York's Love Canal. Her efforts led to the creation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as Superfund. Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this fund is used "to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants." Gibbs is the founder and executive director of the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (formerly known as the Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste) that trains and supports local activists with efforts to combat environmental crises in their communities.

Starting at 9 am, the conference will be held in the Larry Walker Room of Dean Rusk Hall on UGA's North Campus. Registration for the conference is required, and lunch will be provided. The event is free for members of the UGA community. For attorneys seeking four continuing legal education credits, the cost is $60. The fee for all other entrants is $12.

The annual Red Clay Conference represents the law school's commitment to preparing its students for real-world practice by connecting them to policymakers, practitioners and legal leaders seeking to improve our state and society, according to law school Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge.

Organized by law students who are members of Environmental Law Association, the Red Clay Conference aims to increase public awareness of environmental issues of regional, national and international significance through a series of educational presentations and open forum discussions. For more information please visit www.law.uga.edu/environmental-law-association. Registration can be found under the Red Clay Conference tab.

This event is associated with UGA's Earth Day 50th Anniversary Celebration.

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Writer/Contact: Heidi M. Murphy, 706-583-5487, hmurphy@uga.edu

UGA School of Law
Recognized as the best value in legal education in back-to-back years, the School of Law is also consistently regarded as one of the top law schools in the nation. Since 1859, the school has been preparing the next generation of legal leaders. It currently offers three degrees - the Juris Doctor, the Master of Laws and the Master in the Study of Law. The school's accomplished faculty includes nationally and internationally renowned scholars, and its more than 10,500 living graduates are leading figures in law, business and public service throughout the world. Connecting students to these thought leaders and opportunities to serve state and society is central to the school's mission. For more information, see www.law.uga.edu.

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