More than 10 million acres affected by environmental and natural resources regulations are represented by Schwabe.
Overview
Schwabe attorneys help clients develop sustainable strategies to maximize and protect the value of timber, agriculture lands, minerals, grazing permits, port properties and other assets while protecting lands and species.
Aligning the goals of businesses, landowners, communities and governments
Companies involved in developing and using the Pacific Northwest’s rich natural resources face a formidable array of challenges: complex and conflicting federal and state regulatory standards, increased enforcement, public misunderstanding of their objectives and activities, and a growing sense of isolation from the agencies that affect their ability to prosper. Schwabe helps timber, mining, ranching, farming, and sand and gravel companies meet these challenges. We represent clients in all areas of federal and state environmental and natural resources regulation and public land laws, including:
- Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state environmental policy acts
- Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and state water and air quality regulations
- Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA)
- National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and state forest practices acts
- Hard Rock Mining Act
- General Mining Law of 1872
At every step in the permitting process, we work to ensure that rights granted today will withstand future challenges. We also negotiate contracts, agreements and permits with governmental bodies that allow the use and development of public lands.
Recognized in Best Lawyers & Chambers USA for CREATIVE & AGGRESSIVE approaches to regulatory compliance.
Experience
- Successfully defended a permit suspension and enforcement through the Forest Service administrative process.
- Worked with a rural county to protect an RS 2477 road.
- Evaluated and provided guidance to a port applicant through the USFWS consultation process on avian species.
- Represented the applicant in an Oregon spotted frog consultation that resulted in a favorable biological opinion recognizing value of the client’s activity to the frog.
- Resolved grazing permit enforcement actions and restored grazing activity on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
- Represented fishery industry groups in the Pacific Northwest challenging commercial fishing regulations and seasons for anadromous species of fish under state fish and wildlife regulations, the Magnuson Stevens Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
- Advising public ports on Endangered Species Act compliance and development issues related to the streaked horned lark.
Sign up