Environmental and Natural Resources Law

Environmental and land use issues affect everyone. Our experience encompasses the diverse range of our clients - from business owners, to municipal and special purpose governments, and large national corporations. We handle land development and environmental projects, respond to regulatory actions, perform due diligence work, develop risk management strategies and obtain needed permits.

One of our best attributes is our ability to use our experience and creative problem solving in helping clients achieve their goals -- often working with regulators, government officials and consultants to achieve cost effective "win-win" solutions. We vigorously litigate when necessary, and know how to pursue insurance coverage and contractual indemnities when needed.


Land Use and Development

We assist in project planning, pre-development review and approvals, project entitlements and permitting, and related litigation. We have significant experience advising private and public clients on substantive and procedural land use and development law, including zoning, comprehensive plan amendments; conditional use and variance permits; and residential subdivision and commercial development.


Environmental Issues

We draft environmental regulatory programs; help clients navigate the maze of federal, state and local environmental regulations; negotiate prospective purchaser agreements; assess and manage environmental risks; take our clients through the sometimes daunting task of complex environmental cleanups; and advise on environmental restoration projects.


Independent Power Production

We have worked with landowners, generators, and other stakeholders on an array of power projects, ranging from traditional hydropower and gas-fired turbine plants to wind farms and other alternative energy projects. This has enabled us to assemble an experienced team of attorneys who can effectively address the variety of siting, development and permitting issues associated with power production plants.


Sensitive Areas Issues

We know the law on wetlands, steep slopes, restricted use lands, critical areas, and storm water drainage, and apply our knowledge to solve problems – whether in the context of pre-development planning or post-development regulatory or enforcement actions.


Brownfield Redevelopment

We use an integrated approach to the redevelopment of "brownfields" property, combining the experience of our Real Estate Development Group with the Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resource Group to facilitate the reclamation and reuse of environmentally impacted properties.


Insurance

We have significant expertise in insurance coverage assessment and litigation to recover environmental expenditures. We also have expertise in evaluating and utilizing newly available environmental insurance products to actively manage the risks associated with environmental liabilities.


Litigation

We handle all phases of litigation, from public hearings before local governmental bodies, to administrative appeals of land use and environmental decisions, to trials and appellate court actions. Our attorneys have a long history of making new law and successfully representing our clients in court.


Governmental Representation

We have unparalleled experience in serving as special counsel to regional and local governments throughout Washington and the country. This unique expertise is invaluable in understanding the interplay of public and private rights and finding successful solutions to seemingly intractable problems.


Tribal Environmental Law

Our attorneys have unparalleled experience in serving as special environmental counsel to tribal governments in helping tribes to protect the quality of the Reservation Environment. We pride ourselves on our work with Tribal program staff and Reservation attorneys. This unique expertise is invaluable for non-tribal clients interaction with tribal governments, tribally chartered corporations, and other tribal instrumentalities. Our tribal practice includes:
• Environmental Grants and Funding
• Environmental Program Development
• Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements
• Legislative Counseling
• Natural Resource Damage Claims
• NEPA Compliance
• Tribal Business Regulatory Compliance
• Tribal ESA Issues
• Tribal Reserved Water Rights
• Pollution Prevention in Economic Development


Short Cressman & Burgess Tribal Environmental Seminars

February 3, 1999: The Role of Tribal Governments in FERC Hydropower Dam Relicensing Proceedings. Hosted by SC&B and Dames & Moore.

March 8, 2001: A Seminar for Tribal Environmental Professionals and Resource Managers. Hosted by SC&B and Industrial Economics, Inc.

March 6, 2002: Protecting Tribal Reserved Water and Environmental Quality Rights for Future Generations. Hosted by SC&B.

Richard A. Du Bey and Scott M. Missall, Co-Chairs