Hogan & Hartson Leads Conservation Groups in Pro Bono Effort to Create Historic Settlement...

Hogan & Hartson Leads Conservation Groups in Pro Bono Effort to Create Historic Settlement in Black Canyon of the Gunnison Water Dispute

DENVER--(Business Wire)--
Lawyers in the Denver office of Hogan & Hartson LLP donated more
than 2,300 hours of pro bono work to help leading conservation groups
secure a proposed settlement concerning water flow in Colorado's Black
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Hogan & Hartson partner Andy Spielman represented seven
conservation groups during nine months of negotiations that involved
more than 60 parties, including the federal government, irrigators in
the Gunnison basin, hydroelectric producers, recreationalists and
downstream towns. In a team effort, the firm worked with Drew
Peternell of Trout Unlimited and Bart Miller of Western Resource
Advocates, as well as representing the National Parks Conservation
Association, Wilderness Society, High County Citizens Alliance,
Environmental Defense Fund, Trout Unlimited, West Slope Environmental
Resource Council, and the Western Colorado Congress.

As a result of the proposed settlement, the park's water flow will
be set at a year-round base of 300 cubic feet per second, with
adjustments for annual peaks and shoulder flows that are tied to
natural inflow each year. This scenario will promote a healthier
environment for trout and clear downstream debris while maintaining
the river's scenic appeal for visitors of the popular national park.

The Colorado court settlement followed Hogan & Hartson's victory
in federal court last year, which was led by partner Ed Aro, also of
the Denver office and Mary Anne Sullivan of the firm's Washington
office.

"Considering the number of organizations and interests involved,
the Black Canyon of the Gunnison water settlement epitomizes the
tremendous complexities of environmental negotiation," said Spielman.
"What's truly encouraging is how everyone's needs were addressed with
integrity to create a workable compromise for all."

The settlement was presented to the water court in early June,
with final approval expected in the next few months.

"The agreement recognizes the importance of Black Canyon National
Park and the need to preserve its spectacular resources for the
benefit of our children and grandchildren," said Elizabeth Fayad,
general counsel for the National Parks Conservation Association in
Washington, D.C. "The environmental community has been well-served by
Hogan & Hartson and is grateful for the firm's commitment to so many
important land and water issues."

About Hogan & Hartson

Hogan & Hartson is an international law firm founded in
Washington, D.C. with more than 1,100 lawyers in 24 offices worldwide.
The firm has a broad-based national and international practice that
cuts across virtually all legal disciplines and industries.

Hogan & Hartson has offices in Baltimore, Beijing, Berlin,
Boulder, Brussels, Caracas, Colorado Springs, Denver, Geneva, Hong
Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Moscow, Munich, New York,
Northern Virginia, Paris, Philadelphia, Shanghai, Tokyo, Warsaw, and
Washington, D.C.

For additional information about Hogan & Hartson, visit
www.hhlaw.com.

Hogan & Hartson
Koree Khongphand-Buckman, 303-454-2581
Marketing Manager
kkbuckman@hhlaw.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008