The Effect of Sovereign Immunity on Environmental Protection Suits Against Government Officials

A number of excellent articles have been published on the general subject of federal sovereign immunity in recent years, but most of them have been substantially concerned with legislative or judicial reform of this and related doctrines. The growing importance of environmental values as significant social and legal interests compels an examination of the relationship between sovereign immunity and the environmental protection suit. This article will trace the past and recent development of the immunity doctrine and consider its present and potential impact on environmental litigation.