Legal Alerts Aug 20, 2019
California Supreme Court Clarifies CEQA’s Most Fundamental Question: What is a “Project?”
Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Inc. v. City of San Diego
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:
- CEQA and NEPA documentation, including environmental impact reports and environmental impact statements
- Conservation easements
- Establishing habitat conservation plans
- Government relations and advocacy
- Land use, zoning and entitlements
- Phase I, II and III site audits
- Pre-project planning and strategy and determination of the required environmental review
- Project siting, permitting and approvals
- Remediation
- Risk management
- Solar and other renewable energy proposals and projects
- Telecommunications projects
- Water rights, supply and quality
- Wetlands restrictions
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.
Press Releases Aug 19, 2019
Partner Shawn Hagerty a San Diego Top Attorney
Recognized for Land Use Planning, Water Quality and Municipal Law Work
Press Releases Aug 15, 2019
The Best Lawyers Recognizes 31 BB&K Attorneys on 2020 List
Including Seven Named as “Lawyer of the Year”
Legal Alerts Aug 09, 2019
PFAS Concerns Trigger Regulatory and Legal Responses
Federal and State Governments and Courts Concerned About Toxicity and Water Contamination
Event Jul 25, 2019
SGMA’s Next Phase
Sustainable Groundwater Planning in California
Legal Alerts Jul 24, 2019
Complying with America’s Water Infrastructure Act Requirements
New Risk, Resilience and Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Community Water Systems
Legal Alerts Jul 09, 2019
Irrigation District May Refuse Water Delivery to Rule Violators
Calif. Appellate Court Decision May Also Apply to Other Types of Water Providers
Press Releases Jul 08, 2019
BB&K Ranked No. 202 on NLJ Largest Law Firms
Growth Attributed to a Niche Public Law Focus and Great Results
Press Releases Jul 02, 2019
BB&K on 2019 Nor. Cal. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Annual List Acknowledges Attorneys for Professional Achievements
Event Jun 20, 2019
2019 California Water Law & Policy MCLE Conference
Argent Communications Group
Press Releases Jun 11, 2019
Two BB&K Partners Named Coachella Valley Top Lawyers
Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves Selected by Palm Springs Life Magazine
Press Releases May 28, 2019
BB&K Remains a Top 25 San Diego Law Firm
San Diego Business Journal’s 2019 Ranking
Press Releases May 13, 2019
BB&K One of 200 Largest Law Firms in the U.S.
Law360 Annual Ranking Reflects Firm’s Continued Recent Growth
Authored Articles & Publications May 08, 2019
Blue is the New Red in Federalism
Partner Gene Tanaka Discusses a Flip in the States’ Rights Discussion in Municipal Lawyer
Legal Alerts May 02, 2019
SGMA: DWR Announces Draft Basin Prioritization
Comments Accepted Until May 30
Authored Articles & Publications Apr 30, 2019
"California Water," Third Edition
Eric Garner’s Updates to Text on Historical, Legal and Policy Issues Affecting California Water Use
Press Releases Apr 24, 2019
BB&K’s Christi Hogin and Andre Monette Honored for Amicus Work by IMLA
The Attorneys Argued About Short-Term Rentals and the Clean Water Act in the Ninth Circuit
Client Successes Apr 24, 2019
Tribe Lacks Standing in Water Suit
Representing Desert Water Agency, BB&K Attorneys Won Partial Dismissal of Case
Press Releases Apr 10, 2019
Five BB&K Partners Named to 2019 San Diego Super Lawyers List
All Are Returning to the Annual List
Legal Alerts Apr 04, 2019
New Wetlands Protections in California Proposed
SWRCB Votes to Adopt Regulations that Could Impact Permitting Procedures
Press Releases Mar 27, 2019
A Top Orange County Law Firm
BB&K Makes Top 40 on Orange County Business Journal List
Event Mar 25, 2019
2019 AEP California State Conference
Association of Environmental Professionals
Event Mar 18, 2019
California Land Use Law & Policy Conference 2019
Argent Communications Group
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 18, 2019
CEQA Compliance for Businesses
BB&K’s Charity Schiller and Amanda Daams Warn Why Businesses Should Heed CEQA’s Changing Processes
BB&K In the News Feb 27, 2019
American Lawyer Discusses BB&K Growth Last Year
Firm Expands to Meet Client Demand
Press Releases Feb 22, 2019
Groundwater Rights Trial Earns Top Verdict Honor from Daily Journal
BB&K Leads Water Agencies’ Defense
Legal Alerts Feb 15, 2019
Clean Water Act: Proposed WOTUS Replacement Rule Published in Federal Register
Comments Due by April 15
Event Feb 02, 2019
The Elephant in the Room: Adjudication Under SGMA
15th Annual California Water Law Symposium
Press Releases Jan 30, 2019
BB&K a Top 10 Law Firm in Sacramento
Sacramento Business Journal’s 2019 List of Largest Area Law Firms
Press Releases Jan 30, 2019
Seven Attorneys on Southern California Super Lawyers List
2019 Recognition Includes Riverside, Irvine, Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach Attorneys
Event Jan 18, 2019
33rd Annual Land Use Law and Planning Conference
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
Legal Alerts Jan 15, 2019
Comprehensive Update to the State CEQA Guidelines
Approved by California Natural Resources Agency
Legal Alerts Jan 11, 2019
California Supreme Court Addresses Standard of Review for EIRs and Air Quality Impact Analyses
Decision in Sierra Club v. County of Fresno Case
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Legal Alerts Jan 10, 2019
New Year, New Laws Impacting Public Agencies in California – Part II
Housing and Land Use and Environmental Laws Saw Changes in 2019
Press Releases Jan 02, 2019
BB&K Announces Three New Partners
Additional Changes to Leadership Roles
Press Releases Dec 17, 2018
BB&K Welcomes Water and Environmental Partner Lowry Crook
Served Senior Positions with the Army Corps of Engineers and the White House
Client Successes Dec 14, 2018
Government Relations Team Gets Passage of Federal Legislation for Local Agency
John Freshman and Ana D. Schwab Advocated on Behalf of RCRCD
-flying-over-Alviso-Wetlands-Santa-Clara-County-CEQA_t.png?ext=.png)
Legal Alerts Dec 13, 2018
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Annual CEQA Document Filing Fee Increase
Effective Jan. 1
Authored Articles & Publications Dec 13, 2018
Hastings Environmental Law Journal: CEQA’s Judicial Remedies and Reform Recommendations
BB&K’s Michelle Ouellette and Ali Tehrani Authored Law Review Article
Legal Alerts Dec 12, 2018
Proposed Federal Clean Water Rule Impacts Cities and Residents
Comments Being Sought
BB&K In the News Dec 04, 2018
Partner Andre Monette Discusses SCOTUS Clean Water Act Question with Law360
Invitation to Solicitor General for Opinion is Encouraging, He Says
Legal Alerts Dec 04, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Agency Discretion Under ESA
Critical Habitat for Endangered Species Decision
Press Releases Nov 08, 2018
Russell Behrens, 1936-2018
Press Releases Nov 02, 2018
BB&K Proud to be Among the Best
U.S. News-Best Lawyers 2019 Rankings Released
Event Oct 17, 2018
IMLA 2018 Annual Conference
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Press Releases Oct 16, 2018
Best Best & Krieger Marks 25 Years in San Diego
Proud to Serve, and Grow With, Its Community
Event Oct 08, 2018
IBA Annual Conference 2018
International Bar Association
Client Successes Oct 01, 2018
Groundwater Rights Jury Finds in Favor of Public Water Suppliers
BB&K Team Successfully Defends City in First-of-its-Kind Trial in California
Event Sep 24, 2018
CSDA 2018 Annual Conference
California Special Districts Association
Event Sep 21, 2018
So the Judge Says You Need to Fix Your EIR...
So the Judge Says You Need to Fix Your EIR...
Press Releases Sep 18, 2018
BB&K Attorney Ryan Baron Serving on the California Lawyers Association Board of Representatives
Appointed by the Public Law Section
Press Releases Sep 17, 2018
Partner Charity Schiller a “Woman Worth Watching”
Profiles in Diversity Journal Recognizes Professionals for their Leadership
Press Releases Sep 10, 2018
California Powerhouse: Best Best & Krieger
Law360 Selects Firm to 2018 List
Legal Alerts Aug 27, 2018
Court Upholds Approval of Superstore Zoning Ordinance
California Appellate Court Supports the Broad Use of CEQA Addenda
Videos Aug 21, 2018
John C. Cotti Video Bio
Partner
Press Releases Aug 21, 2018
Best Lawyers in America Lists 27 BB&K Attorneys for 2019
Representing a Variety of Practice Areas
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Lauren Langer Video Bio
Partner
Videos Aug 10, 2018
Gregg Kettles Video Bio
Partner
Legal Alerts Aug 06, 2018
Groundwater Extraction Permits Not Subject to CEQA in San Luis Obispo County
Approval is a Ministerial Action, not subject to CEQA, Appellate Court Finds
Authored Articles & Publications Jul 27, 2018
Rise in CCAs in Cities Reshaping California Electric Business
Ryan Baron Weighs the Community Choice Aggregation Question for Cities in PublicCEO
Legal Alerts Jul 26, 2018
Federal Draft Infrastructure Bill Released
Aims to Provide Revenue to Repair Failing Infrastructure
BB&K In the News Jul 20, 2018
Kavanaugh and the Clean Water Act
Partner Andre Monette Interviewed by Bloomberg Environment on SCOTUS Nominee
Press Releases Jul 16, 2018
10 BB&K Attorneys Honored on 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers List
One Recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
Press Releases Jun 22, 2018
BB&K Partner Lauren Langer on Daily Journal 40 Under 40 List
Annual List Recognizes Attorneys for their Achievements
Event Jun 11, 2018
California Water Law & Policy Conference
Argent Communications Group
Client Successes May 31, 2018
CEQA Challenge to Billboard Project Defeated
BB&K Attorneys Defended West Hollywood’s Sunset Blvd. Sign Approval
Legal Alerts May 31, 2018
Governor Signs Historic Water Use Efficiency Bills
AB 1668 and SB 606 Impose New or Expanded Requirements on California Water Agencies and Suppliers
Authored Articles & Publications May 23, 2018
CEQA – Today and Tomorrow
Legal Decisions and Pending Guideline Updates Have Effect on the CEQA Review Process Write BB&K Attorneys Charity Schiller and Amanda Daams in PublicCEO
Press Releases May 17, 2018
BB&K Again a Top San Diego Law Firm
Firm Ranks No. 24 on San Diego Business Journal Annual List
BB&K In the News May 16, 2018
Profile: BB&K CEQA Attorney Amanda Daams
Riverside Lawyer Magazine Features the RCBA Barristers' Past President
Authored Articles & Publications May 10, 2018
Recent and Upcoming Changes to CEQA
BB&K Attorney Amanda Daams Discusses the California Environmental Quality Act in a Riverside Lawyer Article
Event May 08, 2018
ACWA CLE Workshop & Spring Conference
Association of California Water Agencies
Press Releases May 08, 2018
BB&K Partner Michelle Ouellette Named to Top Women Lawyers List
Daily Journal Again Recognizes the CEQA Law Veteran
Client Successes May 02, 2018
Appellate Court Rejects Challenges to Residential Development in Montebello
BB&K Defends City from CEQA, Brown Act and Planning and Zoning Law Claims
Videos Apr 24, 2018
A Glimpse at the Future
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Closing Remarks
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Federal Legislative Discussion – Where Do We Invest?
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment – The Complex Puzzle of Funding Our Future
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
The Price of an Aging Infrastructure on the Environment
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
BB&K Event Apr 24, 2018
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
A BB&K Premier Event
Event Apr 21, 2018
Telecommunications, Disaster Planning and Clean Water Act Updates
IMLA Mid-Year Seminar
Event Apr 17, 2018
Does a Federal Reserved Right to Surface Water Extend to Groundwater?
ABA Water Law Conference
Press Releases Apr 13, 2018
San Diego Super Lawyers 2018
Five BB&K Attorneys Recognized on Annual List
Event Apr 11, 2018
Understanding Community Choice Energy and Its Opportunities
OC Clean Power
Event Apr 08, 2018
Biennial Conference of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law
International Bar Association
Press Releases Apr 02, 2018
Jenkins & Hogin Joins Forces with Best Best & Krieger
Combination Creates Municipal Law Powerhouse Committed to Public Service
Press Releases Mar 30, 2018
BB&K Irvine Office Climbs Higher on Top Law Firms List
Firm Ranks No. 37 on Orange County Business Journal Annual List
BB&K Webinar Mar 29, 2018
Fairly (or Unfairly Traceable?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?
BB&K Free Webinar
![[WEBINAR] Fairly (or Unfairly?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?](/BBK/media/Library/stock-photos/Groundwater-Wells_thumb.jpg?ext=.jpg)
Mar 29, 2018
[WEBINAR] Fairly (or Unfairly?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?
Event Mar 25, 2018
2018 AEP State Conference
Association of Environmental Professionals
BB&K In the News Mar 22, 2018
Debating an Environmental Water Right in California
Managing Partner Eric L. Garner Interviewed by the Water Education Foundation
![[WEBINAR] Update on the California Environmental Quality Act: What’s New for 2018](/BBK/media/Library/stock-photos/Hand-with-butterfly-and-grass_thumb.png?ext=.png)
Mar 07, 2018
[WEBINAR] Update on the California Environmental Quality Act: What’s New for 2018
BB&K Environmental and Special Districts Law Webinar Series
BB&K Webinar Mar 06, 2018
What’s New in Environmental and Special Districts Law
BB&K Free Webinar Series
Event Mar 05, 2018
Making Sense of a New Landscape in California Land Use Law and Policy
Argent's 2018 California Land Use Law & Policy MCLE Conference
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 01, 2018
New Laws Part II: 2018 Ushers in Changes to Land-Use, Development Laws
PublicCEO
![[WEBINAR] Building a Solar Energy Project in 2018](/BBK/media/Library/stock-photos/Solar-Panel-Carport_thumb.png?ext=.png)
Feb 23, 2018
[WEBINAR] Building a Solar Energy Project in 2018
BB&K Environmental and Special Districts Law Webinar Series
Legal Alerts Feb 23, 2018
California Water Board Lacks Jurisdiction to Curtail Water Use by Senior Water Rights Holders
Court Decision on California Water Code Authority
Event Feb 22, 2018
Community Choice Aggregation
Orange County Council of Governments
Key Contacts
Connected Industries
Related Practices
- Air Quality
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- California Public Utilities Commission
- Endangered Species
- Energy
- Environmental Litigation
- Government Relations
- Hazardous Waste
- Land Use, Planning & Zoning
- Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Renewable Energy
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water
- Water Quality
- Water Rights