The 25th Anniversary Water Law Conference will focus on the changing values for water use and the resulting changes in legal conflicts over water. The conference includes speakers and panels reflecting the broad diversity of issues and perspectives on the most challenging issues now facing the water law community. Speakers will discuss past, present and anticipated future changes and trends in water law, and how those changes will affect your practice.

The conference will open with perspectives on the changing nature of water conflicts and the most significant trends over the last 25 years, from water law luminaries of the last quarter century. After a rousing debate about changes in how courts defer to agency determinations, particularly in light of the 2006 Rapanos decision, panels will examine more closely certain critical issues now facing the water law community – from instream use and conflicting sovereigns to international conflicts and conservation. Friday morning will address emerging issues that will change the nature of water law practice in the next quarter century, including water quality issues arising out of inter-basin transfers, resolution of water rights conflicts, and the dynamic relationship between water law and science. The conference will close with a special “Hot Topics” lunch on climate change and how it may affect water law practice, including a presentation on California’s recent efforts to assess how its water policy may need to change to address global warming.

This year’s conference also offers two early morning panels – one on water law fundamentals to help those new to the water law field, and one on the ethics of ex parte contacts in a world where water conflicts are now often resolved outside formal adjudications.

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This conference will address issues faced by policy makers, lawyers, consultants, and other professionals in resolving water right controversies. The session will interest all persons involved in water rights issues, including those with municipal, agricultural, and tribal water supplies, in both the public and private sectors. The conference is open for any interested person to attend, and is not limited to lawyers.

• 25-Year Perspectives on Changes Past and Future, including presentations by the David Getches, Dean at the University of Colorado law school and author of Water Law in a Nutshell, and Justice Ronald Robie, convener of the Dividing the Waters conference for water adjudicators.
• Debate on judicial deference to water agencies, including Roderick Walston, former General Counsel of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Acting Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, and Matt Kenna of the Western Environmental Law Center.
• Discussion of EPA’s water quality rules for inter-basin transfers, moderated by Ann Klee, former EPA General Counsel, and including representatives of states with opposing perspectives.
• Analysis of the changing role of science in water law conflicts, including presentations from Nez Perce Tribal Chairman Rebecca Miles and Michael Bogert, Counselor to the Secretary of the Interior, and scientists.
• Changes in Instream Uses and Conservation Values.
• Extended Applications of the Federal Reserved Water Rights Doctrine and the Pros and Cons of Water Adjudications.
• Emerging International Conflicts, including presentations by John Leshy, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Hastings College of Law and former Solicitor of the Department of the Interior

Hot Topics Lunch on Climate Change, potentially with a surprise special guest.

The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources is the premier forum for strategies and information for environmental, energy, and resource professionals. It represents more than 10,000 members with a wide range of professional interests. The Section keeps its members abreast of development trends, current court decisions, legislative initiatives and statutes concerning environmental, natural resources, and energy law. To learn more about Section committees and membership visit http://www.abanet.org/environ/.

The Water Resources Committee focuses primarily on substantive and practice developments that impact water allocation and availability. These fall into a broad spectrum of subject areas, including state water law; federal and tribal water law; issues arising under the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act; interstate allocation of water; the Public Trust Doctrine; reserved water rights; state, local and municipal planning of water supplies; and federal reclamation law. The Committee provides information to its members through several means, including the annual Water Law Conference; the Committee newsletter; brown bag programs and other forms of programming not involving formal conferences; solicitation of books and of articles for Trends and Natural Resources and Environment; and its contribution to The Year in Review.

Annual Section Sponsors

Program Co-Sponsors
Conference of Western Attorneys General
Native American Rights Fund
Western States Water Council

Program Co-Chairs
Alf W. Brandt
Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife
Sacramento, CA

Janice M. Schneider
Latham & Watkins LLP
Washington, DC

Cruise Ship Level

Networking Break Sponsors
Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc.
Downey Brand LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP

Reception Sponsors
Buck & Gordon LLP
Clyde Snow Sessions & Swenson
Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc.
Fennemore Craig, P.C.
McQuaid Bedford & Van Zandt LLP
Patrick Miller & Kropf, PC
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, P.C.
Somach, Simmons & Dunn
Stein & Brockmann, P.A.

Other
The Water Report

(Cash bars)

Registration Reception
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Skip the line at the registration desk on Thursday morning by checking in at this reception.

Welcome Reception
Thursday, February 22, 2007
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join meeting attendees and program presenters to network and celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the Annual Water Law Conference.