Coastal Development
From the white sandy beaches of Alabama and Mississippi to the emerald waters of Florida’s Panhandle, the Gulf Coast region is experiencing an era of rapid growth. Balch & Bingham’s Environmental & Natural Resources practice group understands the special needs associated with developing the Gulf Coast. Our practice group has extensive experience with environmental, land use, water, and natural resources law issues, and with offices in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, we have successfully and strategically serviced our clients with coastal development interests throughout the Gulf Coast region for many years. Attorneys in our practice group have represented developers with projects in Gulfport, Biloxi, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Panama City, involving issues ranging from development in endangered species habitat to wetlands permitting to stormwater construction compliance.
We believe that the challenges presented by the recent hurricanes have, in fact, provided an extraordinary opportunity to redevelop and revitalize the Gulf Coast region. Notably, one of our attorneys, Steve McKinney, serves as the chairman of a task force created by the American Bar Association’s Section on Environmental, Energy, and Resources to coordinate efforts to respond to Hurricane Katrina (http://www.abanet.org/environ/katrina/members.html).
Balch & Bingham Resources
Protecting Endangered Species Through Voluntary Conservation Agreements, in Public Land and Resources Committee Newsletter, ABA Jan. 2004
Fishy Business - Regulating Aquaculture Operations for the United States, in Natural Resources and Environment, Vol. 18
Protecting Native Coastal Ecosystems: CZMA and Alaska's Coastal Plain, in Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 19, p.k 57
The Temporary Taking and Relevant Parcel Aspects of Regulatory Takings Claims under the Endangered Species Act, in ABA Public Lands & Resources Newsletter, Vol. 6
Reevaluating "Isolated Waters": Is Hydrologically Connected Groundwater "Navigable Water" Under the Clean Water Act?, in Alabama Law Review, 2002, Vol. 54, p. 159
Securing the Homeland: Recent Developments in Maritime & Energy Policy, in IADC Newsletter (April 2005)
Recent News
NOAA revises Coastal Zone Management Act Federal Consistency Regulations (http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/czm/fedcon_rule2006.html)
President Bush signs the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051221-4.html)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposes to designate critical habitat for the Perdido Key Beach Mouse, Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, and St. Andrew Beach Mouse (http://www.fws.gov/panamacity/hottopics/BeachMice.html)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposes to designate critical habitat for the Alabama beach mouse (http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2006/r06-009.html)
HELPFUL RESOURCES