WATER RIGHTS
Water Law Attorney
The growing demand for water can produce significant uncertainties in regard to the availability of water and water rights. These uncertainties can be further complicated by numerous environmental restrictions. Thus, water law is a growing and rapidly changing area of the law. At LandownerFirm, water law is one of the primary focuses of our practice. Our firm possesses the expertise required to address and resolve even the most complex water related issues faced by our clients and we are dedicated to helping clients negotiate water contracts, obtain new water rights, and protect existing water rights.
WATER LAW
Our firm serves as general counsel for the non-profit organization Oklahomans for Responsible Water Policy. OWRP is a grassroots organization formed in March 2010 that is made up farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, landowners, elected officials, and scientists. Focusing on water, ORWP’s core mission is to preserve and protect the economy, agriculture, environment, habitat, and all beneficial uses of water in Oklahoma. In 2020, through LandownerFirm, ORWP submitted a public comment to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service which challenged Oklahoma City’s permit to build a second water pipeline from Atoka Reservoir to Lake Stanley Draper in Oklahoma City. The comment was particularly critical of Oklahoma City’s failure to adequately address the habitat and depopulation concerns of the now-threatened species the American Burying Beetle. More information on Oklahoma City’s application as well as ORWP’s comment can be found here.
Our firm’s water practice has expertise in many areas, including:
- applications for new ground and surface water rights
- changes in or modification of water rights
- negotiation and acquisition of contractual interests in and to storage water rights maintained under federal reclamation or local/municipal projects
- creation of storage facilities and establishing surface or sub-surface storage water rights
- water rights audits
- transfers of water rights to in-stream uses
- compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act
- litigation in support of securing new water rights or protecting existing water rights against injury by third party
- negotiations with oil companies regarding drilling or frac water contracts in order to ensure the Landowner’s water rights are protected
Water Advocacy
The LandownerFirm has served as general counsel for Oklahomans for Responsible Water Policy, a grassroots organization made up of farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, landowners, elected officials, and scientists. ORWP’s mission is to preserve and protect the economy, agriculture, environment, habitat, and all beneficial uses of water in Oklahoma.
In 2020, lawyers at the LandownerFirm helped ORWP submit a public comment to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service challenging Oklahoma City’s permit to build a second water pipeline from Atoka Reservoir to Lake Stanley Draper in Oklahoma City. The comment was particularly critical of Oklahoma City’s failure to adequately address the habitat and depopulation concerns of a now-threatened species, the American Burying Beetle.
Water Litigation
The LandownerFirm represents clients across the country in water-related litigation, including cases involving ground water, surface water, water rights transfers, water pollution, and more. Our team of experienced litigators have extensive experience in all areas of natural resource law, and a proven track record of results.
We work with landowners across the state of Oklahoma, as well as other states. Our law firm associates with local counsel when working outside of Oklahoma. We take cases in state courts, and state appeals courts, and U.S. District courts.
Contact the Landownerfirm.com to schedule a consultation at our Bixby, Oklahoma City or Coalgate offices, or call 888-439-4729.