Reflections on Water, a website and accompanying podcast dedicated to tracking developments in water law and policy, was recently launched by Troutman Pepper’s highly regarded Water Quality and Water Resources practice. Recognized by Chambers USA, attorneys in this practice have advised clients on virtually every issue related to water quality, from strategic planning to permitting, compliance, enforcement defense, and litigation.

Continue Reading Troutman Pepper Launches Website and Podcast to Track Developments in Water Law and Policy

Ross Brings Unique Background of Federal, State and Private Sector Experience to Firm, Expanding Environmental and Natural Resources Practice

WASHINGTON (January 11, 2021) – Dave Ross, a longtime public servant who has held key leadership positions in federal and state environmental agencies, has joined Troutman Pepper as a partner in the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Ross’ policy background, along with a distinctive combination of federal, state and private sector experience, will significantly expand the capabilities of the firm’s 50-attorney national environmental practice, which serves clients in a variety of industries across the United States.

Continue Reading Dave Ross, Longtime Public Servant in Federal and State Environmental Agencies, Joins Troutman Pepper

In a surprisingly broad decision, the District of Montana vacated the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) Nationwide Permit (“NWP”) 12 on April 15, 2020.  NWP 12 authorizes impacts from “utility line activities” to jurisdictional waters that have minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. “Utility line” is broadly defined to include pipelines and any cable, line, or wire for the purpose of transmitting electricity or communication. The court found that the Corps failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act (“ESA), and thus remanded NWP 12 to the Corps for consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (the “Services”) in accordance with Section 7 of the ESA. The court’s order prohibits the Corps from authorizing “any dredge or fill activities under NWP 12 pending completion of the [ESA Section 7] consultation process.”

Continue Reading Montana District Court Vacates and Remands Clean Water Act Nationwide Permit 12

Authors
Todd C. Fracassi, Partner, Pepper Hamilton
Mitchell L. Guc, Associate, Pepper Hamilton
Andrea L. Rimer, Partner, Troutman Sanders
Randy E. Brogdon, Partner, Troutman Sanders

On April 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) and Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) jointly released a memorandum to all EPA Regional Administrators regarding the suspension, reduction or continuation of on-site cleanup activity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorandum supplements earlier guidance released on March 19 outlining OLEM’s management considerations and posture in response to COVID-19, which is included as an attachment to the April 10 guidance.

Continue Reading EPA Issues Guidance for On-Site Cleanup Activity Suspension, Reduction or Continuation in Response to COVID-19

The Troutman Sanders Corporate team has published the following article on COVID-19:

In a press release dated March 25, 2020, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) Chairman Jay Clayton encouraged “public companies to provide current and forward-looking information to their investors . . .” while continuing to prioritize health and safety during

EPA published final nonattainment designations for the 2015 ozone standard in the Federal Register on June 4, 2018.  The designations become effective on August 4, 2018.  The Federal Register notice can be accessed here.   See May 10 article for details about the rulemaking.

Law360 announced Sue Charles, Russell Eggert and Trent Cornell have joined Troutman Sanders’ Environmental and Litigation Practices in its Chicago, IL office. The 3-person team was formerly with Lathrop & Gage. Charles and Eggert handle environmental risk in corporate mergers and acquisitions while Cornell represents trustees and retiree groups in large bankruptcy claims. These additions

ATLANTA – April 3, 2017 – Troutman Sanders LLP announced today the addition of a team of nationally recognized lawyers specializing in oil and gas pipeline legal issues. Bob Hogfoss, Catherine Little and Annie Cook have joined the firm as partners. They previously practiced at Hunton & Williams LLP.

Continue Reading Troutman Environmental Team Grows Again: Nationally Recognized Pipeline Group Joins Troutman Sanders