Many tribes have valuable natural resources such as timber, minerals, fish, wildlife, land suitable for farming and grazing, irrigation and water power rights, and other natural resources. From time-to-time disputes erupt over what the tribe can do to use or develop these rights. Our Firm's attorneys have extensive experience in all aspects of natural resources protection and development.

CONTACT:
Charles Hobbs, Jerry Straus, Hans Walker, Jr., Michael Roy, Geoff Strommer,
Joe Webster, William Norman, Jr.

Achievements and Actions

• Litigated and won rulings in a major timber mismanagement case (Quinault Allottees v. U.S.) that led to a $27 million settlement paid by the U.S, and improvement of BIA timber management procedures

• Litigated and won a settlement for damages against the U.S. for failure to protect tribal water rights (Fort Hall Shoshone Tribe v. U.S.)

• Litigated and won a ruling preventing an IRS lien against trust lands

• Mr. Hobbs has written two major articles on Indian hunting and fishing rights: 32 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 504; 37 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 504

Typical Assignments

• Litigate claims for mismanagement of tribal forests

• Advise tribes on the extent of tribal hunting and fishing rights outside the reservation

• Supervise experts in valuation of land, timber, coal, gold deposits

• Advise tribes on the extent of their Winters water rights

• Advise tribes on the extent of mineral rights

• Assist tribes with the regulatory process impacting fishing, water, forest, and other natural resource rights, including under the Endangered Species Act, Habitat Conservation Planning, NEPA, FERC and the Federal Power Act

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