Flint residents are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for damages caused by exposure to lead in the city's drinking supply.
"More than 1,700 Flint-area residents and property owners have filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the 'mishandling' of the city’s water crisis in a legal action seeking more than $722.4 million in damages," reports Jim Lynch.
The U.S. EPA cleared the way for the lawsuit when it failed to respond to an administrative claim last year, explains Lynch. The article includes a breakdown of the failings of the EPA, as alleged by the complaint. The $722.4 million figure "is a cumulative figure representing total damages claimed for various property and health issues," according to Michael Pitt, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, who is quoted in the article.
The article also includes a detailed history of the back and forth between the U.S. EPA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regarding the blame for the disaster with Flint's water—as well as the blame for the slow response to the crisis.
"A year ago, former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy vigorously defended her agency before a U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing," according to Lynch. "The crux of her March 17 defense was that the EPA was kept in the dark about details of the water crisis through poor communication from Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality."
Earlier in January, the Associated Press reported that Flint's water system had been restored to minimum federal standards for quality. That news was met with skepticism by many observers of the Flint crisis, however.
FULL STORY: Flint residents seek $722M over water crisis
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie