Agenda
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch (On your own): 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Afternoon Session: 1:30 – 5:00 pm
Common Law Water Rights – Surface Water and Groundwater H. Pollard V, J. Richardson Jr.
Riparian rights in Virginia
Common law groundwater rights in Virginia
Other common law actions (pollution, obstruction of water, etc.)
Understanding Virginia Groundwater Rights C. Gill
Ownership of groundwater
Regulation of groundwater withdrawal
Application and permitting process
Current issues in groundwater rights
Virginia Surface Water Withdrawal Permitting and Water Supply Planning H. Pollard V
Legislative policy
Permit program
Permit process issues and challenges
Water supply planning
Current Issues with the Clean Water Act J. Richardson Jr.
The continuing saga: defining “Waters ofthe United States”
“Waters of the State” in Virginia
USACE v. Hawkes Co., Inc. (U.S. Supreme Court, May 31, 2016)
Water Utility Regulation J. Ritter
Types of water utilities in Virginia
Scope of State Corporation Commission regulation
Regulation of water utility rates
Regulation of water utility service areas
Current issues
Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges H. Pollard V
Wastewater discharge permit program
Stormwater discharge program
Recent developments
Ethical Issues in Water Law and Regulation J. Richardson Jr.
Ethical issues in representing water clients
Conflicts of interest
Who is the client?
Credits
Virginia Attorneys
7.0 CLE Hours (Including 1.0 Ethics Hour)
Virginia Professional Engineers
7.0 PDHs
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and is approved by the Virginia MCLE Department for 7.0 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, for Virginia attorneys.
This course also offers 7.0 PDHs to Virginia professional engineers to whom the subject matter is professionally relevant. Educators and courses are not subject to preapproval in Virginia.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Christopher Gill
Christopher M. Gill, LEED® AP, is a partner and chair of both the Real Estate and Environmental practice groups at Christian & Barton, L.L.P, in Richmond. He typically represents developers, landowners, local governments and government agencies in commercial real estate matters involving property transactions, rights, land use and a variety of environmental issues. In the past year he has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Virginia Super Lawyers and Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite in the real estate category. Mr. Gill earned his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.
Jesse Richardson
West Virginia University College of LawJesse J. Richardson, Jr., is an associate professor and the lead land use attorney at the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law. Before coming to WVU, Mr. Richardson was an associate professor at Virginia Tech. His research and experience focuses on land use law and water law. He began his legal career in private practice in his home town of Winchester, Virginia. Mr. Richardson presently serves on the board of directors of the American Agricultural Law Association and is the president-elect. Mr. Richardson previously served on the Virginia Water Policy Technical Advisory Committee. He was honored with the 1999 Professional Scholarship Award from the American Agricultural Law Association, the 2004 William E. Wine Award for a history of teaching excellence from Virginia Tech (the highest teaching award granted by the university), and the 2009 University Certificate of Excellence in Outreach.
James Ritter
CHRISTIAN & BARTON LLPJames G. Ritter is an associate in the Energy and Telecommunications practice group at Christian & Barton, LLP, in Richmond. He focuses on regulatory matters before state and federal administrative entities involving electric, natural gas, and water utilities and cable companies. Mr. Ritter also has experience working on behalf of telecommunications providers and local governments in Virginia. He earned his law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.
