Jenna R. Mandell-Rice

ESA Compliance and Litigation

• Counsels clients on ESA compliance and litigation, including listing, critical habitat designation, section 7 consultation, section 10 habit conservation plans, reintroduction of listed species, and unauthorized take. 
• Represents diking and drainage district as a plaintiff challenging a biological opinion issued with respect to a tidegate replacement project.  
• Represented an association of public water agencies in California water contractors in federal litigation defending biological opinions issued pursuant to the ESA regarding the effects of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project on threatened and endangered species. 
• Represented a California water agency in federal litigation pertaining to a biological opinion issued pursuant to the ESA regarding the effects of the California Waterfix project on threatened and endangered species. 
• Represented an irrigation district as defendant-intervenors in ESA litigation pertaining to ESA compliance for several hydroelectric facilities; achieved dismissal of claims. 
• Represented clients defending against claims of unauthorized take of ESA-listed species. Achieved settlement of claims.  
• Provided strategic counsel in response to several biological opinions regarding the effect of the National Flood Insurance Program on threatened and endangered species; represented coalition in litigation in federal court challenging implementation of the biological opinions. 
• Provided strategic counsel to an irrigation district on ESA consultation regarding the effect of a water supply project on threatened and endangered species. 

NEPA/SEPA Compliance and Litigation

• Provides strategic counsel on all aspects of NEPA and SEPA analyses to a wide variety of project proponents, including in relation to an airport expansion project, sediment diversion projects, transmission lines, renewable energy projects, and water supply and infrastructure projects. 
• Represents renewable energy developer as an intervenor-defendant in federal district court litigation challenging the federal agency’s NEPA and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance related to a wind farm.    
• Represented an  association of public water agencies in California in litigation over the environmental impact statement for the state’s major water projects. 
• Represented an irrigation district as a defendant-intervenor in defending NEPA, SEPA, and ESA compliance for the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Management Plan and the Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant. Obtained dismissal of all claims. 

CWA Compliance and Litigation 

• Represents a client in multiparty federal, state, and local enforcement actions involving alleged CWA and related violations, including settlement negotiations and litigation challenging regulatory orders. 
• Represents several hydroelectric licensees and utilities in challenges to CWA Section 401 water quality certifications before state administrative boards and in federal court. 
• Represented hydroelectric licensee in federal litigation pertaining to discharge of pollutants without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit. 
• Advises a wide-range of clients on construction stormwater permits, industrial discharge permits, and CWA 401 certifications. 

FPA Compliance and Litigation 

• Represents license applicants before FERC on applications for original licenses for pumped-storage hydropower facilities. 
• Represents FERC licensees in relicensing of existing hydropower projects. 
• Represents hydroelectric licensees in challenges to CWA Section 401 water quality certifications before state administrative boards and in federal court. 
• Advises hydroelectric licensees and utilities on compliance with state water quality standards. 
• Represented operator of a FERC-licensed hydroelectric project in action brought by landowners alleging state-law claims for property damage. Obtained dismissal of all claims with prejudice. 

Water Rights 

• Counsels public utilities and municipalities on water rights and municipal water supply. Key issues include change and transfer of existing water rights, instream flows and fisheries, trust water and hydropower licensing. 
• Represents water contractors in water right proceedings before the California State Water Resources Control Board. 
• Represents water right holders in the Nooksack Basin adjudication. 
• Advises water contractor on Colorado River Compact. Prepared amicus curiae briefs for state association of municipal water utilities pertaining to municipal water law. 
• Represents county in litigation pertaining to interpretation of minimum instream flow.