Come join us in Hot Springs, March 5-7, for the 28th Environmental Law Annual Conference 2025 in conjunction with 63rd Natural Resources Institute Annual Conference. Environmental Law will have their section specific track on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
The conference will be held at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort located at 2705 Central Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901. The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment will be presenting a joint session for both Natural Resources and Environmental Law on Thursday, March 6, 2025. There will also be a joint reception for both sections on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
You can bundle registration with Natural Resources for a discount at this link.
Agenda:
Planners:
Mitchell Dowden, Rose Law Firm
Lara Sargent, Stephens Inc.
Shay Randolph, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
Wednesday, March 5
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Outlook for the Trump Administration’s Environment, Energy, and Natural Resource Regulation, Enforcement, and Litigation
Stuart Spencer, Managing Counsel, Specialized Regulatory and Government Response, Tyson Foods, Inc.
2:00 – 3:00 PM
We’ll See You in Court – A Brief Overview of DEQ’s and EPA’s Roles Under the Clean Water Act and the Litigation Over Permits in the Illinois River Watershed
Basil Hicks, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 – 4:15 PM
The Clean Water Act Section 303(d) and Arkansas’ 303(d) – A Recent History
Basil Hicks, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Joint Reception with Natural Resources Institute (Pop's Lounge)
Thursday, March 6
7:30 – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Lithium and USGS
Scott Ausbrooks, Director of the Office of the State Geologist, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
9:00 –10:00 AM
An Overview of the Arkansas Agricultural Law, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and Current and Emerging Issues
Wes Ward, Cabinet Secretary, Arkansas Department of Agriculture
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Energy and Environment Update Panel
Secretary Shane Khoury, Cabinet Secretary, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
Kesia Morrison, Chief Legal Counsel, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
Bailey Taylor, Division of Environmental Quality Director and Chief Administrator of Environment, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
Lauren Ballard, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment
11:15 – 12:45 PM
Lunch
12:45 – 1:00 PM
Section Meeting Hamilton Meeting Room
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Clean Water Act: Development Trends and Updates
Jordan Wimpy, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Environmental Issues in Commercial Transactions: Lessons Learned/Update
Walter Wright, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 – 4:15 PM
Too Much, Too Fast; How Can I Keep Up? Your Rule 1.4 Obligation and Tools to Help
Sarah Tacker, PPGMR Law, PLLC
Jessica Edens, PPGMR Law, PLLC
Friday, March 7
7:30 – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 AM
PM 2.5 and Once In, Always In 2.0
Benjamin Holden, Trinity Consultants
9:00 –10:00 AM
Hydrologic and Water Quality Model for the Illinois River Water Shed in Northwest Arkansas
Philip Massirer, P.E., Olsson
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Harmful Algal Blooms in Arkansas: The Science and Stages of an Advisory
Dr. Felicia Osburn, Ecologist Coordinator, Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality
CLE Pending
Download printable registration form