Wildlife issues can arise at any stage of a project, from inception to development to operations.
Project developers and state and local governments need counsel in assessing complex environmental compliance, permitting, and litigation matters related to protected species and wildlife. Clients seek our counsel for projects regarding the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and other federal and state wildlife protection laws.
We guide clients through protected-wildlife issues that arise during development of projects with and without a federal nexus, as well as in projects already in operation. Our litigators have extensive experience defending agency authorizations of clients’ projects and defending clients in BGEPA and MBTA criminal proceedings. Leveraging experience gained from vital state and federal roles under various administrations, our team also represents clients looking to comment on wildlife-related state and federal rulemaking and policy developments.
We know agency personnel, high-level officials, and attorneys within various agencies involved in protected-wildlife issues. These include the US Fish and Wildlife Service; the Bureau of Land Management; the Department of the Interior, including the DOI Solicitor’s Office; the US Forest Service; the Office of General Counsel within the Department of Agriculture; and the Environmental and Natural Resources Department at the Department of Justice. We also have extensive contacts with wildlife experts and environmental consultants, who can provide invaluable assistance in the project-development and litigation contexts.