John D. Freshman

Senior Director of Governmental Affairs*

john.freshman@bbklaw.com

At a Glance

John has spent his 30-year career synthesizing, distilling and presenting complex public policy issues to decision makers in Washington, D.C.

John advises clients on legislative, regulatory and permit problems and develops and implements strategies for overcoming those problems.

He authored the only amendment to the federal Clean Water Act for a public agency in Texas, resulting in reduced mass emissions of toxic (priority) pollutants.

Profile
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Authorships
News & Events

John Freshman has worked on all of the major national environmental legislation — the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Solid and Hazardous Waste Acts, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. He has spent his 30-year career synthesizing, distilling and presenting complex public policy issues to decision makers in Washington, D.C. — first in government, and then on behalf of public and private clients. John’s experience includes both houses of Congress, especially the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency, where he was special advisor to the administrator. He has developed relationships across the country in many disciplines, including politics, government, business, law and science.

John advises clients on legislative, regulatory and permit problems and develops and implements strategies for overcoming those problems, including advocating by drafting issue papers, using grass-roots methods, communication plans and direct lobbying.

John’s particular emphasis is water — supply, conveyance, funding projects, quality, treatment and reclamation, and recycling. He develops innovative funding strategies for water and wastewater projects, and has represented municipalities and private entities across the U.S. that are involved in water delivery, wastewater treatment and private sector investments in water. He utilizes his broad experience to assist clients with flood control protection and water supply funding for recycling projects.

While John’s focus has been on water and the environment, he has also handled health, trade and tax issues with success.

John has secured a high level of federal funding for counties and cities in California, including the County of Monterey and the cities of Los Angeles and Sacramento. John’s responsibilities for the County of Monterey and the City of Sacramento were all-encompassing: He coordinated and advocated all of the federal issues for these clients.

John is married with three grown children. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

*Not admitted to the practice of law.

Education

Middlebury College, B.A.
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Legislative, Regulatory and Permits

Achieved only amendment to Federal Clean Water Act for a public agency in Texas, resulting in reduced mass emissions of toxic (priority) pollutants
Worked on all aspects of legislation and implementation of Central Valley Improvement Act
On behalf of a California city, which has a very advantageous pre-Central Valley Project Bureau of Reclamation water supply permit, convinced Bureau not to regulate water allocation between the American and Sacramento rivers
On behalf of a California city, handles all federal strategy with Washington, D.C. office of FEMA for classification and mapping
Negotiated with National Marine Fisheries Service on steelhead issues for Carmel and Salinas rivers
Worked with EPA and Congress to provide extra time for San Diego outfall

Funding and Grants

Helped secure $500,000 in federal funding for water reclamation and reuse projects and studies for the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority's Pure Water Project.
Secured $100 million in funding for water pollution facilities on the West Coast to make more than 800 million gallons per day available for recycling
Obtained an ongoing annual appropriation of $70 million for essential flood protection in California
Worked in bi-partisan way with local congressmen and senators to increase, authorize and obtain funding for American River level hardening, Sacramento River bank stabilization, reop of Folsom Dam and South Sacramento streams
Secured $40 million for Title XVI water reclamation for a California city
Obtained $100 million for appropriations for rural water supply in South Dakota
Secured funding for Orange County water recycling and secondary treatment facility construction
Obtained funding for Monterey County water resources for recycling facility on Salinas River
Obtained initial funding for Riverside-Corona feeder for California water district
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Legal Alerts Dec 12, 2018

Proposed Federal Clean Water Rule Impacts Cities and Residents

Comments Being Sought

Legal Alerts Feb 12, 2018

Federal Infrastructure Outline Released

Details Local Agencies Need are Included

Legal Alerts Jan 31, 2018

A Peek Inside the Trump Infrastructure Plan: What Local Government Agencies Should Know

The State of the Union Address and a Leaked Memo Give the Insight We’ve Been Waiting For

Authored Articles & Publications Nov 01, 2017

The Proposed Tax Plan: What Public Agencies Should Know

By John Freshman and Ana Schwab

Authored Articles & Publications Aug 30, 2017

August 2017 Federal Report: Infrastructure, Debt Ceiling and Budget

By John Freshman and Ana Schwab

Authored Articles & Publications Jul 12, 2017

Tracking Trump’s Appointments

By John Freshman and Ana Schwab

Authored Articles & Publications May 25, 2017

Trump’s Water Resources Budget Requests

By John Freshman and Ana Schwab

Legal Alerts Jan 18, 2017

The Trump Infrastructure Plan

How BB&K Can Help Your Agency Position and Respond

Legal Alerts Nov 15, 2016

The Future of U.S. Infrastructure and Local Control Amid Post-Election Uncertainty

Post-Election Opportunities for Local Government Agencies

Legal Alerts Oct 21, 2015

Surface Transportation: Be Informed and Heard

New Federal Bill for Transportation Funding on the Road to Passage

Legal Alerts Oct 09, 2015

Sixth Circuit Issues Nationwide Stay of EPA “Waters of the United States” Regulation

The Stay Follows A Preliminary Injunction Issued Against the Clean Water Rule in August

Legal Alerts Oct 06, 2015

Deadline Fast Approaching for Positive Train Controls

Failure to Implement Safety Measures Will Result in Interrupted Railway Service

Legal Alerts Jan 15, 2015

Legislative Water Update

Conversations Among Federal Lawmakers May Lead to New Water Legislation

“Looking Ahead: Federal Drought Response,” BBKnowledge, Jan. 13, 2016
“Water Infrastructure Funding,” BBKnowledge, Dec. 7, 2015
“Drought: Congressional State of Play at the End of the Fiscal Year,” BBKnowledge, Oct. 1, 2015
“[VIDEO] Waters of the United States: Implications of EPA’s Regulatory Definition,” BBKnowledge, Sept. 3, 2015
“Dead in the Water: The Western Water and American Food Security Act,” BBKnowledge, July 17, 2015
“The Impact of the California Drought on Water Agencies and Treatment Districts,” BBKnowledge, July 1, 2015
“Changes in Congress Affect California Water Interests,” BBKnowledge, Nov. 10, 2014
“December 3 Deadline for Submitting Federal Water Projects,” BBKnowledge, Oct. 9, 2014
“Highlights from the Build America P3 Infrastructure Investment Summit,” BBKnowledge, Sept. 10, 2014
“President Announces Public-Private Partnership Initiative for Infrastructure Development,” BBKnowledge, July 18, 2014
“EPA Proposes Change to Clean Water Act Rule and Definition of the Term “Waters of the U.S.,” BBKnowledge, June 20, 2014
“Developments in Water Law,” BB&K Legal Alert, June 10, 2014
“WIFIA: New $350 Million Water Project Federal Financing Program*,” BBKnowledge, May 23, 2014

Event Jun 20, 2019

2019 California Water Law & Policy MCLE Conference

Argent Communications Group

Client Successes Dec 14, 2018