Colombia joins New Zealand and India as countries that have recognized the legal status of rivers in recent months.
"In a landmark verdict, Colombia’s Constitutional Court has recognized the Atrato River basin as having rights to 'protection, conservation, maintenance and restoration,'" reports Sarah Bardeen for the International Rivers site.
The river is the third around the world to receive legal protections, after the Whanganui River in New Zealand was granted the status of a human entity in March. The ruling on the legal status of the Atrato River actually came earlier, in November 2016, but has only recently been publicized. As explained by Bardeen, Colombia's decision regarding the Atrato River doesn't include the same language about the river's human or living status. The decision does, however, "offer protection to the Atrato River while simultaneously guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the communities that inhabit its banks. Under this new paradigm, known as 'biocultural rights,' the Court has asserted that the most effective way to protect ethnic communities’ rights is through biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration."
In March, the Yamuna and Ganges rivers in India were also granted legal status as living entities, following the lead set by New Zealand.
FULL STORY: Colombian River Gains Legal Rights
Lawsuit Would Recognize the Human Rights of the Colorado River
Corporations have rights in the United States, and an organization called Deep Green Resistance is going to federal court in Colorado to argue that rivers should too.
River Given Human Status
A New Zealand river revered by the Maori people is granted the status of a living being by the country's parliament.
Bill Would Double Protections for Montana Rivers
The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act would double the number of wild and scenic rivers in the state of Montana.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service