Event Jan 08, 2021
Planning, Zoning and Development Law: What's New from California's Judicial and Legislative Branches
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program's 35th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
Preserving the environment while attempting to accommodate a growing population requires legal knowledge, regulatory finesse and the ability strategize, litigate and negotiate to overcome many hurdles.
Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice is a nationally recognized leader in advising both public agency and private clients on the maze of legal, regulatory and political challenges they face. From sustainability and clean technologies to water conservation projects, recycling facilities, air emissions concerns and a host of other issues, BB&K helps clients resolve environmental concerns, enabling them to move their projects forward and plan for the future.
Regulatory Compliance
Our environmental attorneys are adept at managing the interplay of environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, state and federal clean water, clean air and endangered species acts, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Reliability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act, among others. With long-standing, effective working relationships with the federal and state agencies that administer these laws, we can streamline assessment reviews, efficiently and cost-effectively obtaining necessary approvals and permits.
Whether a development project involves water rights, water quality, endangered species, air quality or hazardous materials or another environmental issue, we have the regulatory, transactional and litigation experience to resolve matters so that our clients can meet their land use goals while protecting the environment and assuring compliance with all legal requirements and regulatory restrictions.
Strategic Guidance
We provide practical strategies to both public entity clients, such as cities and water districts, and private entities, including landowners and developers. We assist with:
A Leader on Water Issues
BB&K is counsel of choice for public agencies that collectively provide water to more than two-thirds of California’s population. Our water law reputation is so substantial that we have brokered water rights disputes between states and have developed water policies internationally.
Environmental Litigation
With so many competing interests, disputes often arise regarding development of lands and the use of limited natural resources. BB&K’s Environmental Litigation team is among the strongest and most experienced teams in the nation, handling precedent-setting litigation in the defense of environmental project approvals in court and asserting and defending our clients’ interests before the Environmental Protection Agency, the California Public Utilities Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, land use authorities and other local, state and federal agencies.
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program's 35th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
Part 2: New Laws Impacting California Public Agencies for 2021
California’s AB 168 Adds Requirements to Approval Process
Clarity Provided for New “Functional Equivalent” Test
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual Adjustments
Orange County Cities Seeking Guidance, According to News Reports
Palm Springs Life Magazine Recognizes Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves
Argent Communications Group
Association of Environmental Professionals
Annual U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers List
Riverside County Bar Association Honors Long-Term Community Service
Designation Impacts Local Ordinances and Developments Involving the Tree
BB&K Attorney Rod Walston Successful in Public Trust Doctrine Dispute in Nevada Supreme Court
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Firm Leadership Renews Commitment to Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
San Diego Daily Transcript Recognizes Young Professionals
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Proposes New Rule Regarding Exclusion of Lands from Critical Habitat for Federally Listed Species
Stakeholders Have Until Sept. 21 to Review and Comment
Significant Changes begin Nov. 3
Decision in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus Case
Three Named “Lawyers of the Year” and One Included on “Ones to Watch” List
BB&K Remains in the Top 25 of the Annual Ranking
Guidance Brings Heightened Scrutiny
Nine BB&K Attorneys Serving on LCC City Attorney Committees
BB&K Attorneys Honored by Legal Industry
Changes to Clean Water Act Section 401 Certifications
BB&K Free Webinar
County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund
International Municipal Lawyers Association
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers New “Waters of the U.S.” Definition Takes Effect on June 22*
Including San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Star Recognition
Joint Plan Aims to Meet Rising Water Demands
BB&K Free Webinar
Land Use, Telecommunications, Environmental and More
New Thresholds Impact Wider Swath of Public Water Suppliers
Public Comments Due March 10
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Give New Waters of the U.S. Definition
A Change in Methodology Will be Required Statewide July 1
Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4723
Nine BB&K Attorneys Earn Recognition
New Public Agency, California Public Records Act, Education and Labor & Employment Laws
Part 3: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020
Calif. Supreme Court: San Diegans for Open Government v. Public Facilities Financing Authority of the City of San Diego
Additional Changes at Firm Reflect Growth, Diversification
Water Law Veteran Honored by Law360
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual Adjustments
BB&K Free Webinar
What California Cities Need to Know to Comply with SB 205
U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America Annual List Recognizes Many of the Firm’s Premier Practice Areas
BB&K Webinar
BB&K Free Webinar
WOTUS Definition Court Challenges Continue
New California Law to Help Achieve SGMA Requirements
BB&K Webinar
BB&K Free Webinar
BB&K Successfully Defends Water District
International Municipal Lawyers Association
New Response Thresholds and Regulations in the Works for Public Water Suppliers
Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Inc. v. City of San Diego
Recognized for Land Use Planning, Water Quality and Municipal Law Work
Including Seven Named as “Lawyer of the Year”
Federal and State Governments and Courts Concerned About Toxicity and Water Contamination
Sustainable Groundwater Planning in California
New Risk, Resilience and Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Community Water Systems
Calif. Appellate Court Decision May Also Apply to Other Types of Water Providers
Growth Attributed to a Niche Public Law Focus and Great Results
Annual List Acknowledges Attorneys for Professional Achievements
Argent Communications Group
Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves Selected by Palm Springs Life Magazine
San Diego Business Journal’s 2019 Ranking
Law360 Annual Ranking Reflects Firm’s Continued Recent Growth
Partner Gene Tanaka Discusses a Flip in the States’ Rights Discussion in Municipal Lawyer
Comments Accepted Until May 30
Eric Garner’s Updates to Text on Historical, Legal and Policy Issues Affecting California Water Use
The Attorneys Argued About Short-Term Rentals and the Clean Water Act in the Ninth Circuit
Representing Desert Water Agency, BB&K Attorneys Won Partial Dismissal of Case
All Are Returning to the Annual List
SWRCB Votes to Adopt Regulations that Could Impact Permitting Procedures
BB&K Makes Top 40 on Orange County Business Journal List
Association of Environmental Professionals
Argent Communications Group
BB&K’s Charity Schiller and Amanda Daams Warn Why Businesses Should Heed CEQA’s Changing Processes
Firm Expands to Meet Client Demand
BB&K Leads Water Agencies’ Defense
Comments Due by April 15
15th Annual California Water Law Symposium
Sacramento Business Journal’s 2019 List of Largest Area Law Firms
2019 Recognition Includes Riverside, Irvine, Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach Attorneys
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
Approved by California Natural Resources Agency
Decision in Sierra Club v. County of Fresno Case
Housing and Land Use and Environmental Laws Saw Changes in 2019
Additional Changes to Leadership Roles
Served Senior Positions with the Army Corps of Engineers and the White House
John Freshman and Ana D. Schwab Advocated on Behalf of RCRCD
Effective Jan. 1
BB&K’s Michelle Ouellette and Ali Tehrani Authored Law Review Article
Comments Being Sought
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