Summary:  A group of clean air activists have joined forces in the “50 States United for Healthy Air” campaign initiated by Earthjustice, the American Nurses Association, the Hip Hop Caucus, the National Council of Churches and Physicians for Social Responsibility. The group members, who call themselves Clean Air Ambassadors, are concerned citizens from 50 different states who are challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce air pollution caused by ozone, soot and greenhouse emissions.

As noted in a recent Scientific American article, this effort is a part of Earthjustice’s “Right to Breathe” campaign. “Every year, many people young and old get sick because of air pollution,” reports Earthjustice, which specializes in litigating on behalf of environmental causes. “Clean air should be a fundamental right.”

  Full Article:  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=clean-air-ambassadors"

  Summary:  The federal 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals turned down a developer’s plans to build two new roads into Yosemite National Park. The developer wanted to build a resort and use the two roads for direct visitor access to the resort through the park.

"We're certainly very pleased," said George Torgun, an attorney for Earthjustice, who represented environmentalists in this case. "Yosemite is a national treasure. It's a place we don't want to see more roads constructed.”

  Full Article:  http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/01/4682180/developer-cannot-build-new-road.html"

  Summary:  The U.S. House passed a bill last week, designed to make it easier for presidents to override environmental regulations set by their predecessors and allow industry polluters to intervene in environmental settlements reached in court. The legislation was proposed by Rep. Ben Quayle, R-Ariz., as part of a massive anti-regulatory force driven by Republicans, in response to the EPA’s regulations requiring Arizona and other states to reduce air pollution that creates haze in national parks and wilderness areas.

Environmental groups strongly oppose the bill and warn that this effort by Republicans to save money and help their industry allies will undermine critical environmental and health protections. "This is not only a public threat, it's a giveaway to polluters and others who break the law," said Joan Mulhern, legislative counsel for Earthjustice.

  Full Article:  http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/Valley%20&%20State/2012-07-27-PNI0727met-politics-enviro-billPNIBrd_ST_U.htm"

  Summary:  A coalition of environmental groups is suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dumping polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, which is causing toxic algae blooms throughout the Caloosahatchee River near Fort Myers. Algae blooms have plagued the Caloosahatchee eight of the past 11 years, and last year's algae bloom lasted for eight weeks. During that time officials warned residents to avoid contact with the river water and not to eat the fish. What the Corps is releasing from the lake is so polluted it forces the shutdown of a water plant that is supposed to use the river to quench the thirst of 40,000 people.

So the environmental groups—including the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Earthjustice—want a federal judge to order the Corps to stop holding water back and instead allow the water to flow all year long. "We want them to get off their butts and open the gates," said David Guest of Earthjustice.

  Full Article:  http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/slime-covered-river-prompts-florida-environmental-groups-to-sue-corps-of/1241781"