Environment

Flaherty & Hood, P.A. has built an environmental practice that helps communities throughout Minnesota navigate the complexities of federal and state environmental regulations. Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with the staffs of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning, the Attorney General’s office, and other departments. These partnerships give Flaherty & Hood, P.A. a unique capacity to assist clients with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting services, environmental review services, and legislative services.

Services

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Services

• Wastewater discharge permit review, research, and negotiation
• Responding to Notices of Violation
• Administrative contested case and appellate litigation
• Zoning and sanitary sewer extensions

Environmental Review Services

• Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) review, research, and negotiation
• Advising cities and engineers on Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) preparation
• Administrative contested case and appellate litigation
• Federal and state regulatory compliance and risk management

Legislative and Administrative Services

• Water quality legislative and regulatory policy relating to municipal wastewater treatment
• General counsel to a 40-member joint powers organization of cities, public utilities commissions and sanitary sewer districts

Notable Clients and Issues

• General Counsel: Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board (MESERB)
• Notices of Violation: Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District (ALASD), Becker, Glencoe
• NPDES Permit Litigation: ALASD, Faribault, Montevideo, Owatonna, Red Wing, St. Cloud, St. James, Waseca
• NPDES Permit Negotiation (Not Litigated): Becker, Brainerd, Central Lakes Region Sanitary District (CLRSD), Grand Rapids, Marshall, Moorhead, Mora, New Ulm, North Koochiching Area Sanitary District (NKASD)
• Environmental Review: ALASD, CLRSD, Sartell, Savage, Winona