Water Resources Policy

Developing and maintaining reliable long-term water supplies is a nationwide challenge, and is particularly intense during this period of rapidly increasing population and demand for water. Water resources are also the first to experience the negative effects of climate change, forcing adaptation strategies to rapidly address changing water and climate circumstances. Our practice in water resources policy responds to these challenges and is at the forefront of legal assistance provided to major players in the national water supply system. We help them meet these challenges head-on and resolve them.

Our Water Resources Policy practice is centered in Washington, D.C. and integrated with our capabilities in other offices serving clients nationwide, particularly in the Western United States. We address the broad array of federal laws, regulations and programs that are intended to support, fund and regulate water supplies for municipal, industrial, agricultural and environmental purposes. We do so through legal counseling and planning on water resources projects, administrative and regulatory representation, legislation, appropriations and litigation. We cover all laws controlling the development, transportation or regulation of water supplies, including the programs of the Bureau of Reclamation and Corps of Engineers, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act and NEPA. We also participate in litigation concerning any of these laws.

Clients include a coalition of water agencies for the largest cities and fastest growing areas of the Western United States, private entities developing water projects, individual water agencies and tribal entities or those seeking to deal with tribes on water issues. We also work, on behalf of clients, with larger coalitions on issues affecting federal legislation or regulations affecting all water providers or users nationwide.