Advancing Development While Enhancing Wetlands Protections
Sheppard’s Wetlands and Endangered Species team provides comprehensive counsel for projects involving sensitive habitats and protected species. From planning and permitting to defense and implementation, we offer a single, coordinated source for navigating federal and state regulations.
We guide clients through permitting and consultation processes under the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Endangered Species Act, California Fish and Game Code and related laws, including environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act and other state laws. Our team works closely with agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, and state and regional regulators to secure approvals for construction, restoration and infrastructure projects.
Our lawyers assist with wetlands delineations, biological assessments and mitigation strategies that withstand regulatory and judicial scrutiny. When projects face challenges, we defend clients in administrative hearings and court, leveraging our litigation experience to uphold permits and minimize future risks.
Clients value our ability to integrate legal precision with ecological and political understanding. We tailor strategies to address the sensitivities surrounding wetlands and species regulation, ensuring compliance while advancing development goals.