Summary
In 2007, CELDF drafted an ordinance for Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania called Peach Bottom Township Sustainable Agriculture and Community Self-Government Ordinance. The ordinance declares that: “Natural communities and ecosystems possess inalienable and fundamental rights to exist and flourish within the Township of Peach Bottom” and that “Township residents, natural communities, and ecosystems shall be considered to be “persons” for purposes of the enforcement of the civil rights of those residents, natural communities, and ecosystems.” (6).
The ordinance emphasizes local self-government and need to protect the health and general welfare of citizens and natural environment of the township by establishing sustainable agriculture policy and banning corporations from engaging in agriculture and the land application of sewage sludge. The ordinance also recognizes residents’ rights to a healthy environment.
The ordinance was defeated in a vote by the Township Supervisors.
Involved Organizations
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/peach-bottom-township-sustainable-agriculture-and-community-self-government-ordinance/.
When using our data, please follow the FAIR and CARE Principles for data governance outlined in our Ethics Statement. We are doing our best to be correct in the information we provide, but if you notice any omission or inaccuracy, please report this to us immediately at info@ecojurisprudence.org so we can correct it.
Eco Jurisprudence Tracker is licensed under CC BY 4.0
