David Allnutt

Provide strategic and communications advice to tribes, non-governmental organizations, community organizations, and others confronting resource extraction projects presenting environmental harms. Counsel clients on regulatory tools available to mitigate harms, and provide practical advise on accessing relevant agencies and entities. Focus on U.S. federal authorities under National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), the Clean Water Act, and other environmental statutes.

Senior executive leading an office of approximately 100 staff and contractors. Directed the Region’s Clean Water Act § 404 programmatic and grants work; NEPA environmental review program; and marine programmatic and policy functions. Responsible for managing Region 10’s Laboratory in Manchester, Washington and the majority of the region’s technical and scientific staff. Led efforts to review large scale resource extraction, energy export, oil and gas production, and transportation projects. Active member of Region 10’s Executive Team. Exercised management functions for the office, including hiring, budgeting, awards, promotions, performance evaluation, discipline, and workload management, and served as the front-line supervisor for up to 15 direct reports in staff and management positions.

Represented Region 10 programs in a wide variety of enforcement, litigation, and counseling matters arising under federal environmental statutes. Prosecuted civil penalty actions in federal court and before administrative law judges and represented the Agency in defensive litigation in federal trial and appellate courts. Drafted language for permits, administrative orders, and rules and reviewed agency actions to ensure defensibility and enforceability. Areas of emphasis included concentrated animal feeding operation (“CAFO”) enforcement and regulation, wetland enforcement, Clean Water Act wastewater permitting, underground injection control, storm water regulation, inspector training, and environmental cleanup of wood treating operations.

Supervised a unit consisting of ten attorneys and non-attorney staff. Provided and oversaw legal representation to the Regional Office in a wide variety of enforcement, litigation, and counseling matters arising under the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and other federal environmental statutes. Provided and oversaw legal representation on matters arising under various cross-cutting and general law topics, including grants, contracts, information, and appropriations law. Exercised supervisory functions for the unit, including hiring, budgeting, awards, promotions, performance evaluation, discipline, and workload management.

Represented the County Council and executive branch in a variety of environmental and land use matters. Prosecuted civil enforcement of violations of land use and sensitive area ordinances and defended the County in litigation brought both by developers and by environmental/neighborhood groups. Directed a large litigation case load that included matters pending before state and federal trial courts, appellate courts and administrative boards. Provided legislative support to the County Council and drafted ordinances, contracts, and regulations.