Connecting businesses, communities and individuals to vital resources
Access to an adequate water supply can be one of the most challenging issues for any new business, land development or growing community. Whether you’re looking to establish, secure or preserve water rights, we’re committed to helping you navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape.
Our attorneys advise entities across the public and private sectors on the full scope of issues in water resource planning and development. As a leading force in water law and policy in Washington, we work extensively with clients on the development of laws and regulations impacting water rights, both directly and through business associations, before regulatory agencies and the state legislature.
We bring a deep understanding of state water law and decades of experience in partnering with clients and consultants to identify and obtain water rights through permitting, transfers and changes in use. Team members possess in-depth knowledge of key rules from the Washington State Department of Ecology and Department of Health, as well as Native American treaty rights. We also maintain a solid track record of facilitating negotiations with water rights holders, property owners and other stakeholders.
While we strive to avoid litigation, our attorneys have significant experience and success handling appeals of water right matters before the State Pollution Control Hearings Board, the Growth Management Hearing Board and in state court.
Private owners, developers, growers, special purposes districts, water purveyors and municipalities frequently turn to us for practical guidance in matters that include:
- Analysis of relinquishment and abandonment matters
- Defense of water rights approvals
- Development and implementation of mitigation strategies
- Implementation of and updates to water system plans
- Multi-party negotiations concerning water resources
- Processing new water rights and water right changes and transfers
- Protection and utilization of private and municipal water rights
- Utility service extensions
- Water rights adjudications
- Water rights acquisition and sales
- Water rights extent and validity review
- Water rights permitting
- Watershed planning, adjudication and appeals
- “Wet Growth” matters
