Turning Points--by Watershed Legal Counsel

  A practical guide for individuals, businesses, and public entities navigating AI use in legal decision-making Artificial intelligence has become the first stop for a lot of legal questions. I see that firsthand in my practice almost every day. Many clients come to us after they’ve already run an issue through AI. Some have gone further—submitting comments to an administrative agency or even filing things in court based on AI-generated content without involving an attorney or other appropriate expert. Even after we’re retained, we sometimes recognize the hallmarks of AI in client emails responding to draft work we’ve shared. It’s a fair assumption that those drafts are being run through an AI tool to generate comments or revisions before coming back to us. None of that is unusual. And in many cases, it starts from a good instinct—trying to understand the issue and engage more effectively. But it also reflects something I see regularly: people are getting information without alwa...

The recent sewage spill into the Potomac River began with the structural collapse of a 72-inch interceptor sewer line built in the early 1960s — a major trunk line carrying wastewater toward regional treatment facilities. The failure released hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage before emergency bypass pumping could be installed. Response efforts continue, with federal assistance joining local and state crews. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has supported stabilization and site protection. Investigations into the cause remain underway. Even so, public debate has already shifted toward assigning responsibility — with elected officials, river advocates, and commentators pointing fingers across agencies and jurisdictions. At the same time, the utilities and government entities involved have pivoted toward cooperation under established interjurisdictional agreements and defined operational roles. More than simply a news story, this is a case study in how regional system de...

  A year into the current federal administration, organizations working on climate resilience , watershed restoration , and infrastructure are operating with different expectations. The work continues, but the context has shifted. Federal funding is less predictable. Regulatory alignment often requires more explanation. Public conversations feel more charged, even as the underlying challenges—flooding, land loss, grid reliability—remain familiar. In Maryland, these shifts are playing out in real time. Some federal grants awarded to local governments and nonprofits have been cancelled or suspended, with disputes unresolved and reinstatement uncertain unless projects can be clearly defended as consistent with current national priorities. Energy policy, in particular, has become a flashpoint. Litigation continues over a planned offshore wind project near  Ocean City , while rising electricity demand—driven in part by  data centers  and electrification—has pushed r...

The first cool mornings of September, the shift in the light, and the sound of school buses on the road all signal that fall is here. Trees start to turn, migratory birds gather, and gardens wind down. In nature, fall is a season of transition and preparation—and the same can be true for nonprofits. This year, social media has given that idea a new spin with something called “The Great Lock-In.” It’s a Gen Z trend about focusing hard from September through December—locking in on goals to finish the year strong. Environmental nonprofits don’t need TikTok accounts to participate. But the idea of a fall lock-in is right on point: dedicating time and energy now to shore up the policies, training, and practices that will sustain your mission through winter and into the next growing season. Here are a few things worth “locking in” this fall: 1. Review Your Core Policies Take a fresh look at the backbone documents that keep your organization strong: Bylaws – Do they reflect your current boar...