In December 2009, Steve Combs, on behalf of Surfrider Foundation Atlanta Chapter, traveled to Washington D.C. to hear oral arguments at the US Supreme Court on a public beach access case affecting one of Atlanta's closest surf destinations. In case you missed the news earlier this summer--WE WON! SCOTUSblog.com has a short analysis here. Below is some additional information on the case.
- From the Surfrider Foundation Press Release 12/1/2009:
“Private landowners should not have the right to unilaterally act in a manner that negatively impacts coastlines or public access to the beach. The State of Florida has adopted a reasonable approach that balances these important public and private rights,” says Steve Combs of the Surfrider Foundation Atlanta Chapter who travels to Florida beaches on the weekends. Read the entire press release here.
- From the Surfrider Foundation Legal Blog:
"Surfrider Foundation and our pro bono counsel from McDermott Will & Emery celebrate a substantial victory from the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court, in Stop the Beach Renourishment v. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, upholding the constitutionality of the Florida state's beach management program and solidifying public beach access rights." Read the entire article here.
- Read more in the Surfrider Foundation Press Release 6/22/2010:
"The Surfrider Foundation won an important victory on June 17th when the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled (with Justice Stevens abstaining) in Florida Department of Environmental Protection v. Stop the Beach Renourishment to reject the challenge by private homeowners, uphold the constitutionality of Florida’s beach management program, and hold that the beach belongs to the public after beach renourishment has occurred." Read the entire press release here.