2024-05-07T04:11:49-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150307587/can-nature-sue-an-architecture-project-a-lake-in-florida-thinks-so Niall Patrick Walsh 2022-04-22T12:12:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/66/66beb12028c5ed640fe63759bae338e0.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>In what has been dubbed a milestone in U.S. legal history, a lake has <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/10002/lawsuit" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a> against a developer in Orange County, <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/7095/florida" target="_blank">Florida</a>. Lake Mary Jane is suing property developers Beachline South Residential in Florida state court over the developer&rsquo;s plans to construct a new development on the north side of the lake, converting 1,900 acres of wetlands and forests into a mixed-use residential, commercial, and office development.</p> <p>The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the lake by attorney Steven Meyers, claims that the development would &ldquo;adversely impact the lakes and marsh who are parties to this action,&rdquo; causing injuries that are &ldquo;concrete, distinct, and palpable.&rdquo; As a <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/18/a-lake-in-florida-suing-to-protect-itself" target="_blank">deep-dive article</a> in <em>The New Yorker</em> notes, the case marks the first time that an inanimate slice of nature has sued an entity in a U.S. courtroom, sparking a debate over the extent to which natural objects have rights.<br></p> <figure><figure><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/60/601417bf1255771b615a79323cab9812.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/60/601417bf1255771b615a79323cab9812.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;w=514"></a><figcaption>The proposed Meridian Parks development. Image via <a href="http://www.cityoforlando.net/city-planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/12/MPBStaffReport2018-12_MPL2018-10073.pdf" target="_blank">City of Orlando</a></figcaption></figure></figure><p>The proposed development, named Meridian P...</p>