Firm Resume |
Firm ResumeBooth, Ahrens & Werkenthin, P.C. concentrates its practice in the areas of Water, Environmental and Water Utility Law*, although we also successfully practice in many other areas of civil law. In all instances, we strive to provide the best and most extensive range of services possible in a timely and effective manner and at a reasonable cost, enhanced by a specialized understanding of our clients' business and goals. Our goals are to excel in serving our clients in a cost-efficient and timely manner, to be accessible to those clients, and to work together with clients to achieve their objectives and fulfill their responsibilities. We derive our energy from the collective capabilities of our attorneys. For each client, we match specific tasks with the attorney who possesses the expertise and experience to achieve desired results in the most cost-effective result. Booth, Ahrens & Werkenthin is a member of the Texas Water Conservation Association, Texas Rural Water Association, and Texas Municipal League. * Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law or in Administrative Law. No designation has been made by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for a Certificate of Special Competence in environmental law or in the other areas of practice described above. Areas of ExpertiseOur Water, Environmental and Water Utility Law* practice includes:
Case StudiesBooth, Ahrens & Werkenthin represents diverse clients throughout Texas in matters that frequently involve novel legal issues and important questions of public policy. Seldom is one issue the single point of a case. Water rights cases, for example, require mastery of collateral factual/legal issues, such as the impacts to fish and wildlife resources, mitigation techniques, instream flow releases, water quality impacts, and endangered species. Members of the firm have assisted clients in numerous cases involving: Water Rights: We've handled permitting and/or permit amendments involving water from several Texas reservoirs, including the Paluxy, Little Cypress, Lake Benbrook, Richland-Chambers, Cedar Creek, Bridgeport, and Eagle Mountain Reservoirs. Recently, the firm obtained a permit authorizing the City of Victoria to divert up to 20,000 acre-feet per annum from the Guadalupe River. Water Supply: We've helped negotiate and develop short, medium and long-term water supply contracts for suppliers and purchasers all over the State of Texas. Such contracts have included rate provisions supporting over $200 million worth of bonds for a regional water supply system, as well as provisions that support reuse to enhance reservoir yields, protect water quality, and increase water conservation. Contracts: We've developed and negotiated water rights subordination agreements and wastewater treatment contracts. Litigation: Working with the Fort Worth District Corps of Engineers and other attorneys, we successfully defended litigation brought against the Corps' granting to Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Number One a Section 404 permit for the Richland-Chambers Reservoir and pipeline. At the time, this was the largest reservoir project undertaken in the State, with pipeline and reservoir costs totaling more than $300 million. Water Rates: We assisted an international chemical corporation contesting water rates being charged by a river authority, saving the corporation an estimated $80 million over 50 years. Permitting: We've provided legal representation to individuals, industry, and political subdivisions related to permitting and compliance with complex state and federal water and solid/hazardous waste laws and regulations. Firm attorneys were instrumental in obtaining numerous water use and wastewater disposal permits and amendments for agricultural, municipal, and industrial concerns, included state and federal permits for two regional wastewater treatment plants operated by the Trinity River Authority. Policy Issues: We helped develop groundwater production permitting regulations for Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District Number Three. We've also participated in developing legislation to regulate production from the Edwards Aquifer. Firm attorneys representing a consortium of political subdivisions and industry participated as amicus curiae in the Texas Supreme Court case that reaffirmed the ability of the State to regulate groundwater production. 515 Congress Avenue, Suite 1515 | Austin, TX 78701-3503 | t 512.472.3263 | f 512.473.2609 |