Episode 58: Great Lakes Compact
“It would be almost impossible to transfer the kinds of quantities of water from the Great Lakes that you would need for to quench the thirsts in the Southwest. So legally speaking, I think we have a pretty good document”
A conversation with environmental attorney and clinical law professor Oday Salim (National Wildlife Federation, University of Michigan Law School) about the Great Lakes Compact. Released October 25, 2024.
guests on the show
Oday Salim
Professor Salim directs the Environmental Law & Sustainability Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School, where he also co-directs the Environmental Law & Policy Program and teaches Water Law and the Environmental Justice seminar. In addition, he is an attorney for the National Wildlife Federation in its Great Lakes Regional Center and the chair of the American Bar Association’s Environmental Justice Committee. Professor Salim has taught courses on environmental justice, water law, energy regulation, and mineral law. As an attorney, his most recent work has addressed water affordability, oil pipelines, Clean Water Act permitting, stormwater management, and the public trust doctrine. Before joining the clinical program at the University of Michigan Law School, Salim practiced environmental law in Pennsylvania and Michigan, focusing on stormwater management, water quality permitting, water rights, environmental justice, land use and zoning, utility regulation, mineral rights, and renewable energy. He has litigated in administrative and civil courts at the local, state, and federal level, and also has done transactional work for individuals and nonprofits. In 2018, he was named one of the Grist 50 Fixers for his work on environmental and public health protection in minority communities. He gives talks on various subjects, including green infrastructure in urban areas, water affordability and ratemaking, and conferring rights to natural resources.