In victory for Tennessee city, Alabama nonprofit abandons lawsuit
August 24, 2026
Springfield, Tennessee; August 24, 2026: The City of Springfield, Tennessee, is celebrating a legal victory after Alabama-based nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper chose to abandon its lawsuit rather than respond to the City’s constitutional challenge in court.
“We are pleased with this quick victory for our client. But our work to end this unconstitutional delegation of power is just getting started,” said Sean Radomski, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. “The Clean Water Act’s ‘citizen suit’ provision wrongfully gives unchecked power to anyone who wants to wield it. We will continue to partner with American towns and businesses to challenge that until the courts lay it to rest.”
Tennessee Riverkeeper filed a “citizen suit” against Springfield under the Clean Water Act, alleging that the City violated a discharge permit. Springfield partnered with Pacific Legal Foundation to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit and strike down the Clean Water Act’s “citizen suit” provision. Springfield’s challenge argued that the Clean Water Act violates the Constitution by delegating the executive branch’s prosecutorial power to unelected private actors.
On August 21, Tennessee Riverkeeper dismissed its case against Springfield. The dismissal marks the second time Tennessee Riverkeeper withdrew a case rather than contend with Pacific Legal Foundation’s argument that the “citizen suit” provision is unconstitutional. In January, PLF represented Luttrell, Tennessee, in its challenge to a suit by Riverkeeper, which similarly ended in a rapid dismissal and victory for the city.
Pacific Legal Foundation represents Springfield at no cost. The case is Tennessee Riverkeeper, Inc. v. City of Springfield, Tennessee.
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About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 21 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.