Water Rights

Sustainable water supplies are essential for every aspect of modern life, including commercial and industrial development, municipal drinking water supplies, residential living, agriculture and conservation. In the western states, where water supplies are scarce and in great demand, water is particularly important for social welfare and economic growth. Climate change also affects water resources in significant ways; it places even greater demands on the allocation and use of surface and ground water and creates a need for adaptation strategies. Our water law attorneys assist clients in meeting the unique challenges associated with water resource management, ranging from participating in major national and international water resource policy issues to obtaining water rights for local development activities. Many of our water lawyers have regulatory and technical backgrounds as well as experience with government affairs representation, litigation at the highest levels, federal and state permitting and administrative proceedings.

Water Rights

In the western states, acquisition and management of water rights are central to any resource development or use activity. Water rights laws are complex and vary from state to state. Our attorneys have experience with all aspects of water rights adjudication and implementation. Working on state and federal governmental regulations, our attorneys have helped to negotiate, defend, enforce and administer interstate water compacts, litigated changes to existing water rights or permits, and developed augmentation and replacement plans in areas where water is overappropriated. We also have experience in the administration and use of the prior appropriation, riparian and regulated riparian systems.