Environmental & Natural Resources

Environmental law is distinct for the complexity of its regulation and the urgency of its implementation.

Overview

Leadership
Our approach is creative and multidisciplinary and tailored to our clients' needs. We know the problems you face are not simple, and the solutions you need are not always easy to spot. With an environmental practice established by trusted industry leaders and developed over decades, we are the enthusiastic advocates and experienced field leaders our clients expect of their representation.

Understanding the Science of Environmental Issues
Our attorneys work efficiently with clients and effectively with regulators. We are a team of past engineers, environmental consultants, and government officials – we have an “insider” understanding of every side and can speak the language of all parties. We know the process, get the science, and are as enthusiastic about our clients’ aims as they are.

Depth of Experience
There are essentially no industries left untouched by environmental issues, and we have a diverse client base to show for it.

Charting the Future
Our clients rely on us to navigate the highly regulated environmental sector, but also look to us for advice on how to help lead the change. We want to help you chart your future and lead the change. (View DWT's climate and sustainability commitment.)

For decades, Davis Wright Tremaine’s environmental lawyers have represented clients in federal and state Superfund law cleanups at major sites throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Environmental litigation - often involving multiple parties, counterintuitive laws, and multi-jurisdiction regulations - requires unique expertise.

We help clients obtain and defend local, state, and federal permits, approvals, and licenses needed for new development, infrastructure, and redevelopment projects.

With the development and execution of a strategic plan involving coordinated cleanup and redevelopment, liabilities are transformed into profitable investments.

Complying with ever-changing federal, state, and local regulatory requirements can be daunting.

Securing an adequate supply of water is a critical component of every land development project and productive resource property use, from manufacturing to farming to viniculture.

Energy and Environmental Insights

We live and breathe environmental law. From the practical implications of new regulations to what the courts are saying about "waters of the United States," we examine the big trends and the small innovations in this rapidly changing landscape.

Read our Insights

League of Oregon Cities 2023 Business Partner

DWT is proud to partner with the League of Oregon Cities. Our team has helped many communities plan for their water futures, obtain water rights, and defend them in court. As a long-time counsel to the League of Oregon Cities, we helped write the legislation allowing cities to secure long term supplies. Let's talk water!

Air emissions issues for various companies

Advises clients in the seafood processing and cruise line industries on environmental permitting, including air emissions. (Ongoing)

Air quality regulatory compliance for national auto parts supplier

Advising a national auto parts and equipment supplier on compliance with VOC emissions regulations at the Air Resources Board. (Ongoing)

Clean Air Act litigation for utility company*

Represented a California utility in successfully defending a Clean Air Act settlement with the U.S. against a challenge by a citizen’s group. (2012)

Air district hearings for Shell Oil Company

Represented Shell Oil's Los Angeles refinery in various hearings and an abatement order proceeding before the South Coast Air Quality Management District. (2009)

Environmental enforcement and compliance for petroleum terminal and storage facility

Represented a large oil refiner at its terminal in Martinez, Calif., before the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Negotiated settlement of alleged violations of permit conditions and BAAQMD regulations. Representation included obtaining written authorization to operate while resolution was pending. (2009)

*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine

Citizen Suits

Citizen suits for Skyline Electric and Green Creek Wood Products

Defended Clean Water Act citizen suit alleging stormwater violations. (2016)

Clean Water Act/RCRA defense for NextG Networks of California, Inc. and a national provider of broadband services

Represented telecommunications companies in citizen suit litigation alleging violations of CWA and RCRA from chemically treated utility poles. (2010)

Enforcement/Criminal

Environmental enforcement for Fortune 100 company

Assisted Fortune 100 company in responding to alleged violations and resolution of claims involving hazardous waste and air emissions, and water quality regulations. (2008)

Environmental Insurance

Environmental remediation and insurance coverage for oil and chemical company

Assisting an oil and chemical company in its investigation and remediation of contamination after having helped it obtain insurance coverage for chlorinated solvent contamination where no coverage had been found by previous counsel. (Ongoing)

Environmental insurance coverage for national bank trustee

Representing trust and trustee in connection with contaminated property remediation and obtained insurance coverage for environmental work. (Ongoing)

NEPA

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) counsel for the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)

Representing before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), defending claims on CEQA issues in transmission line proceeding. (Ongoing)

CEQA counsel for Clearwire Corporation

Defended wireless company and permitting agency in CEQA litigation arising out of tower site location. (2009)

CEQA counsel for NextG Networks of California

Representing wireless telecommunications carrier in PUC proceedings relating to environmental assessment and approval for system in Huntington Beach, Calif. The work includes coordinating PUC staff and counsel, environmental consultants, city attorneys, public comment, and telecommunications counsel. (Ongoing)

CEQA counsel for Clearwire Corporation

Advising wireless company on CEQA compliance for site locations in multiple southern California cities. (Ongoing)

Transactions

Liberty Utilities and related entities ongoing environmental compliance

Handled environmental due diligence, permit issues, and negotiation of consent decrees for the acquisition of an independent power producer's generation station, 12 substations, and related transmission facilities in Lake Tahoe area of California. Managing ongoing post-closing environmental compliance and transfer issues. (Ongoing)

Mergers & acquisitions for Calpine Corporation

Represented in purchase of electricity generating plant in PG&E's power plant divestiture transactions in California and handled subsequent acquisitions, refinancings and sales. Also advising on ongoing environmental compliance. (Ongoing)