Water Rights Conference

The Changing Face of Water Rights in Texas

May 8-9, 2008
Hyatt Lost Pines Resort
Lost Pines (Bastrop), Texas

Unique among water conferences, this program emphasizes transaction-focused, practice-oriented topics and materials. Click here for the program. Among over two dozen topics, the agenda included:

• groundwater and surface water conveyances and deal points
• water and wastewater considerations for a developer, including a discussion of impact fees and tariffs
• the significant changes to "CCN" (utility service area) law
• regulation of groundwater by groundwater conservation districts
• navigating municipal and county regulations

The conference kicks off with an optional 2 ½ hour boot camp that covers the fundamentals of groundwater and surface water law.

Co-sponsored with the State Bar of Texas's Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section, this seminar's planning committee works to ensure that the agenda adds value to the environmental and real estate practitioner, attorney, real estate practitioner.

If you have questions, please contact the Program Co-Chair, Hunter Burkhalter, at HBurkhalter@kempsmith.com.

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Superconference

20th ANNUAL TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERCONFERENCE

August 5-7, 2008
Four Seasons Resort
Austin, Texas

Interested in planning the 2008 Superconference? Please contact Jeff Civins at Jeff.Civins @ haynesboone.com.

Highlights from the 19th Annual Texas Environmental Superconference

Each year the Superconference just keeps getting better and better. How do you top a special appearance by Al Gore? Tap dancing (literally) by a tuxedoed Jeff Civins? A segwaying centurian? The Superconference was held on August 1-3, 2007, in Austin, Texas, at the Four Seasons hotel located on the shores of Town Lake.

Inspired by Academy Award Winning movies, this year's conference was entitled "An Oscar Winning Performance." Click here for the program.

(Left) A surprise appearance by a donut munching Al Gore.

Featured speakers this year included Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") Chairman Kathleen White, TCEQ Commissioner Buddy Garcia, and, from EPA Headquarters, Granta Nakayama, Jason Burnett, Howard Hoffman, and Scott Sherman, in addition to many other high level representatives from TCEQ and EPA Region 6 and from the private and public sectors. Topics included legislative update ("A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum"), enforcement ("Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon"), water quality ("Finding Nemo"), air quality ("Patch of Blue"), climate change ("Some Like It Hot"), corporate sustainability ("From Here To Eternity"), and risk management and environmental considerations in transactions ("Terms of Endearment").

Other topics included: Brownfields revitalization, nanotechnology, chemical security, case law update, public nuisance, open meetings/open records, and "Bending Science." In addition, there was a memorial tribute to former EPA Regional Administrator and active Superconference participant, Gregg Cooke ("A Man For All Seasons").

Continuing a tradition begun two years ago, the primer, entitled "Environmental Law 101--Training Day," was held on Wednesday evening, August 1. The Wednesday evening primer will provide an overview of environmental law and will include sessions on air and water quality, solid waste and Superfund, and the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA").

Have a question? Please contact Superconference@haynesboone.com.

Click Here to see 2007 Planning Committee Members >>>

The Texas Environmental Superconference recognizes its sponsors:

State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section

Aiir & Waste Management Association - Southwest Section

Water Environment Association of Texas

Texas Association of Environmental Professionals

The Auditing Roundtable

American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.

Past Annual Environmental Superconference Highlights

		Highlights from the 18th Annual Texas Environmental Superconference: The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades The theme of the 18th Annual Environmental Superconference, held August 3-4, 2006, was - "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" - featured songs from the 80's. There was a surprise performance of the theme song by Pat MacDonald, lead singer and songwriter of Timbuk 3, the band that recorded this huge 80's hit. MacDonald opened by joking that while it was a great honor to be asked to perform, "It's also my greatest humiliation." Read More >>
		Highlights from the 17th Annual Texas Environmental Superconference: A Superconference The 17th Annual Environmental Superconference, was held at the Austin Four Seasons on August 4-5, 2005. With this year's theme of Superheroes, there were surprise visits from The Incredibles , Wonder Woman (aka Ann Klee, General Counsel of EPA); The Thing (David Whitten), Superman (Superconference Chair Jeff Civins), Lois Lane (Mary Sahs), Batman (Mike Nasi) and his trusty sidekick Robin (Bob Chapin), and the Invisible Man. Attendees vied to correctly match the Superheroes with their alter egos and arch enemies, and to complete the Superheroes trivia quizzes. Read More >>
		Highlights from the 16th Annual Environmental Superconference Over 500 people gathered at the 16th Annual Environmental Superconference, held in Austin on August 5-6, 2004. "Reality TV" was the theme of this year's Superconference. In addition to learning the latest in Texas Environmental law, attendees got to participate in the Superconference's own version of Reality TV. Read More >>
		Highlights from the 15th Annual Environmental Superconference Read More >> Section Members, Access the 15th Annual Environmental Superconference Materials Here!