Historians and other scholars of US environmental politics will find a scrupulously narrated account of the political milieu from which this legislation emerged, along with its evolution over recent decades, in the bookâs first four chapters. Assembled from an impressive array of interview notes and archival texts, these accessible chapters detail the original objectives for and later impacts of this important statuteâŚ. Baierâs detailed policy history of the EAJA should be of interest to scholarly and lay readers alike.
Environmental History
We have here a book of truth and power. Lowell Baier in his thoughtful and powerful publication shows our historyâfirst of abuse and more recently of our effort to protect this magnificent country and world.
- Representative John D. Dingell, (D) Michigan,
This masterful work of scholarship flawlessly proves that todayâs new paradigm of cooperative conservation and federalism in endangered species conservation is a far more responsible endeavor with measurable results than can ever be achieved by combative saturation litigation and court intervention.
- Theodore Roosevelt, IV, Honorary Chair, League of Conservation Voters and Governing Council, The Wilderness Society,
Lowell E. Baier's Inside the Equal Access to Justice Act is an important history of how American land conservation battles have played out in courts. All environmentalists should read this well written book. Highly recommended!
- Douglas Brinkley, Rice University, author of Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America and Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America,
With more than 1,100 species currently under court-ordered consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act, Lowell Baierâs powerful research forces all conservationists to question the efficacy of the current system and whether a more scientific and collaborative approach would produce better results for wildlife in the 21st Century.
- Collin O'Marra, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation,
Minutely and extraordinarily researched, masterfully written in a voice that rings with authority from a tremendous depth of knowledge, it will transform your view of environmental litigation and its politics and players.
- Jack Ward Thomas, Chief Emeritus, U.S. Forest Service,
This book is the story of how decades of aggressive environmental litigation have eroded the core missions, expertise and effectiveness of Americaâs land, wildlife and water management agencies. It poses the serious question of how the public land mass comprising one-third of the United States can be effectively managed in the 21st century, and the consequences the remaining two-thirds will suffer from unchecked litigation.
- Representative Cynthia M. Lummis, (R) Wyoming,
Lowell Baier has been a lifelong champion for conservation, carrying on the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. This book on Americaâs lands litigation is a must read for all who care about the conservation of our wonderful national crown jewels.
- Kenneth L. Salazar, Former Secretary of the Interior and Senator (D) from Colorado,
âBaier has produced an intellectual tour de force with the publication of Inside the Equal Access to Justice Act. The focus of this book is the need to reform the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) because of unintended provisions that incentivize and reward environmental litigants for filing suit against federal regulatory and land management agencies, and consequentially hinder proactive cooperative efforts. . . . Baier, a seasoned lawyer, political scientist, historian, and one of Americaâs leading conservationists, peels back layers of proverbial onion to reconstruct a fascinating story about how this law came into existence and the twist of fate that led to a seemingly minor provision being inserted that eventually opened the floodgates of environmental litigation.â
- John F. Organ, Chief, Cooperative Fish and Research Units, U.S. Geological Survey (appearing in Fair Chase Magazine),