Programs
Environmental Justice Project
The Environmental Justice Project provides legal services to community and nonprofit organizations working to remove threats to public health and safety and gives Baltimore City grassroots organizations stronger voices in the land use and permitting decision-making processes.
The concept of environmental justice seeks equal protection from environmental, public safety, and health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture, and social class and includes the meaningful involvement of impacted citizens in decision-making processes. Environmental justice means that no groups should bear a disproportionate share of negative consequences resulting from industrial uses, land use planning and zoning, municipal, and commercial operation, or the execution of federal, state, local, and municipal decisions, programs, and policies.
The Community Law Center provides legal representation to nonprofit and community organizations with environmental justice issues, including:
- Working with state and local government agencies in the enforcement of environmental, zoning, and transportation laws;
- Representing communities in administrative hearings and judicial review;
- Monitoring industries to ensure their compliance with the law;
- Assisting communities faced with environmental pollutants or disruptions;
- Advocating for or against proposed state and/or local projects that would impact communities;
- Assisting communities with developing and implementing land reuse plans;
- Forming, reviving, or maintaining a nonprofit organization, including bylaws, incorporation, and tax-exemption (501(c)(3)) applications; and
- Helping communities "clean and green" vacant land.
To apply for assistance, please submit an application with the nonrefundable $100.00 application fee and all requested information to the Community Law Center. Beyond the nonrefundable $100 application fee, generally no fees are charged for the attorney's time, but clients are responsible for direct expenses (filing fees, postage, copying expenses, etc.) related to their cases. If you are requesting help in applying for tax-exempt status, please also submit the Supplement for Tax Exemption Application.
Community organizations and nonprofits are encouraged to purchase the Community Law Center's manual "How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in Maryland" to get their organization started as well as to keep their organization running efficiently and effectively. Community associations are also encouraged to purchase the Community Law Center's manual "Revitalizing Baltimore's Neighborhoods: Legal Tools for Community Associations" for in-depth information on strategies community associations can use to make their neighborhood a place everyone would want to call home!
