25th Annual ABA SEER Water Law Conference

<> American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources 25th Annual Water Law Conference: Changing Values, Changing Conflicts February 22-23, 2007   San Diego, CA   Hotel del Coronado The 25th Anniversary Water Law Conference will focus on the changing values for water use and the resulting changes in legal conflicts over water. The conference includes speakers and panels reflecting the broad diversity of issues and perspectives on the most challenging issues now facing the water law community. Speakers will discuss past, present and anticipated future changes and trends in water law, and how those changes will affect your practice. The conference will open with perspectives on the changing nature of water conflicts and the most significant trends over the last 25 years, from water law luminaries of the last quarter century. After a rousing debate about changes in how courts defer to agency determinations, particularly in light of the 2006 Rapanos decision, panels will examine more closely certain critical issues now facing the water law community – from instream use and conflicting sovereigns to international conflicts and conservation. Friday morning will address emerging issues that will change the nature of water law practice in the next quarter century, including water quality issues arising out of inter-basin transfers, resolution of water rights conflicts, and the dynamic relationship between water law and science. The conference will close with a special “Hot Topics” lunch on climate change and how it may affect water law practice, including a presentation on California’s recent efforts to assess how its water policy may need to change to address global warming. This year’s conference also offers two early morning panels – one on water law fundamentals to help those new to the water law field, and one on the ethics of ex parte contacts in a world where water conflicts are now often resolved outside formal adjudications. Click here to Register