Generally, environmental statutes that have "citizen suit" provisions also provide for the governmental agency being sued to cover court costs...but not necessarily all of them.

Also, almost any settlement that comes after lengthy (i.e., expensive) negotiations, especially if they've been at all contentious, comes with attorney's fees.

It's a double edged sword. It's intent is so that if the government is not following the law, regular folks can step in and make them stop without having to worry about how to pay for it.

In lots of cases that's a good thing. It adds incentive to the government to follow the laws, and encourages suing them if they don't.

In other cases, it's not so good. Sometimes an agency is flat out unable to comply, and it taxes their already limited resources.

All in all, I agree with attorney fees provisions. They err on the side of the law being followed.

Fish on...

Todd.