Research & Publications

Research conducted by the Marine Affairs Institute focuses on timely legal and policy issues raised by the development and use of the oceans and coastal zones.

The Institute presents research results through a variety of programs and symposia including a lecture series, an international symposium, faculty exchanges, and scholarly publications.

The Institute also works closely with the Maritime Law Society and Environmental Law Society, student organizations comprised of students with interests in admiralty, maritime, and environmental law.

Nature Conservancy Report
The Institute partnered with The Nature Conservancy to review submerged lands law and policy related to conservation leasing and ownership of submerged lands.

A fact sheet and the Final Report, Towards Conservation of Submerged Lands: The Law and Policy of Conservation Leasing and Ownership, on this research are available below:

• Final Report
• Fact Sheet
• Practitioner's Toolkit for Marine Conservation Agreements

Sea Grant Law Fellow Publications
Law Fellows have authored the following articles for Sea Grant publications:

2008

• Alicia Schaffner, National Security vs.Whales: The Navy and the Natural Resources Defense Counsel Battle Their Way to the Supreme Court, 1:2 Sea Grant Law and Policy Journal 82 (2008).
• Alicia Schaffner, Ninth Circuit Grants Partial Reprieve to California Sea Lions, 7:3 The SandBar 22 (2008).
• Alicia Schaffner, No Sanctions for Vessel Carrying Shark Fins, 7:2 The SandBar 9 (2008).
• Alicia Schaffner, Court Denies Regulatory Taking in Designated Port Area, 7:1 The SandBar 7 (2008).
• Alicia Schaffner, Court Grants Stay of Injunction in Navy Sonar Case, 6:4 The SandBar 4 (2008).

2007

• Jonathan Lew, First Circuit Interprets Rapanos to Determine Which Test to Apply, 5:4 The SandBar 1 (2007).

2006

• Tory Randall.  Sea Grant Law Fellow marks International Maritime Court "first",  41° North 3(2) (2006).  
• Jonathan Lew, When is a Wetland Not a Wetland, 28(2) The Coastal Society Bulletin 4 (2006).
• Jonathan Lew, Florida Court Limits Rule to Red Grouper, 25:4 WaterLog 2 (2006).
• Benjamin Spruill, Alabama Court Allows Taxpayer to Challenge Ruling, 25:4 WaterLog 3 (2006).
• Jonathan Lew, Ninth Circuit Upholds the Corps’ Adjacency Jurisdiction Over Wetlands, 4:4 The SandBar 6 (2006).

2005

• Jonathan Lew, D.C. Circuit: Nationwide Permits are “Final Action”, 25:3 WaterLog 3 (2005).
• Benjamin Spruill, Court Defers to Corps’ Final Findings in Terminal Project, 25:3 WaterLog 10 (2005).
• Benjamin Spruill, Court Preserves Public Access to Newport's Historic Waterfront, 4:3 The SandBar 2 (2005).
• Jonathan Lew, Rhode Island Court Resolves Palazzolo, 4:3 The SandBar 4 (2005).
• Benjamin Spruill, Federal Maritime Jurisdiction Pushes Inland, 4:1 The SandBar 7 (2005).
• Lance Young, Makah Tribe Entitled to Percentage of Pacific Whiting Harvest, 4:1 The SandBar 12 (2005).
• Jonathan Lew, Court Grants No Leniency for Maritime Lien Claim, 25:2 Water Log 6 (2005).

2004

• Terry Boardman, Framework Adjustment 14 Does Not Violate Magnuson-Stevens Act, 3:3 The SandBar 6 (2004).
• Lance Young, Federal Circuit Reverses $37 Million Award to Fishing Vessel, 3:3 The SandBar 20 (2004).
• Lance Young, Ninth Circuit Affirms Water Use Restriction to Protect Fish, 23:4 Water Log 6 (2004).
• Terry Boardman, Forest Service Must Reevaluate Spotted Owl Decision, 23:4 Water Log 7 (2004).
• Lance Young, SCUBA Shellfishing Ban Withstands Challenge, 3:2 The SandBar 2 (2004).
• Terry Boardman, New Lobster Regulations Do Not Violate Atlantic Coastal Act, 3:1 The SandBar 10 (2004).