Issue Area

Natural Resources: Federal Policy as It Affects the Public Sector

Federal natural resources policy increasingly shapes water rights, land management, and wildfire risk. ENS helps public agencies understand and engage with these developments as they affect operations and funding.

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What We Do

What ENS Does on Natural Resources

Track federal legislation, agency rulemakings, and executive actions affecting water rights, water supply, wildfire management, and public lands

Advocate before Congress and federal agencies on water allocation, drought response, ecosystem restoration, and wildfire mitigation and prevention policy

Engage with House and Senate authorizing committees on reauthorization bills, appropriations riders, and program design affecting natural resources agencies

Coordinate with the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other relevant agencies on grant programs, permitting decisions, and technical assistance

Monitor Endangered Species Act consultations, National Environmental Policy Act reviews, and other regulatory processes affecting client projects

Prepare policy briefs, comment letters, testimony, and technical summaries to support client positions before federal decision-makers

Identify and pursue federal funding opportunities for water supply, drought resilience, and wildfire mitigation projects

How We Work

How ENS Works on Natural Resources

We combine deep knowledge of natural resources policy with direct engagement on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies. We give clients clear, timely assessments of the federal landscape: what is moving, what the risks are, and where the opportunities exist to shape outcomes.

Whether you are a water agency managing a limited supply, a city or county addressing wildfire risk, or an organization working through a federal permitting process, we provide the strategy and execution to advance your priorities at every stage of the federal process.

Natural Resources Work in Practice

Natural Resources

New federal program enacted

Supported the development and passage of a federal aquatic infrastructure program that would fund an abandoned mine site clean-up while resolving liability barriers.

Special district

Natural Resources

New federal authorization secured

Federal authorization to support Army Corps partnership to design and build an innovative nutrient removal project for coastal water quality.

Water agency

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Advisers reviewing federal priorities with a client

Our Services

Aeration basins at a water treatment plant

Federal Water Funding

Washington Update

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural Resources, Explained Plainly

How does federal natural resources policy affect public agencies?

Water rights, wildfire, and lands policy increasingly affect agency operations, from supply and water qualityreliability to environmental reviews. Staying ahead of the policy helps agencies plan and protect operations.

How does ENS help on these issues?

ENS monitors federal natural resources policy and helps agencies engage on the developments and seek funding tied to water supply, wildfire resilience, and resources management.

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