There was a problem adding this course to your account. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, you can contact our support department at (877) 880-1335.
Adding Registration, Please wait...
You must be logged in to perform this action.
Log in
Cancel
2022 Environmental Law at Yosemite®: Unhoused Encampments, Environmental Quality, and the Human Right to Water
In California, more than 160,000 people are experiencing homelessness, and many unhoused people live in encampments near waterways or public spaces without access to clean drinking water or adequate sanitation. These encampments have adverse environmental impacts on water quality and riparian habitats, pose solid and liquid waste disposal issues, increase fire and flood risks, and contravene land use policies and regulations. State and local agencies have jurisdiction to enforce laws to protect public health and the environment, and some funding is available to address homelessness (for example, the Newsom administration’s proposed 2022-23 budget includes $2 billion for temporary housing and clearing encampments). However, these tools may be ineffective, lack an appropriate responsible party, and pose equity concerns. This panel focuses on legal and policy hurdles and tools, both existing and forthcoming, for lessening the environmental impacts of encampments while treating unhoused individuals with respect and meeting their human right to water.