Dylan Lawrence

PRINCIPAL OF VARIN THOMAS LLC
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAWYER

Dylan Lawrence

PRINCIPAL OF VARIN THOMAS LLC
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAWYER

Since he began his legal career in 2002, Dylan has sharpened his focus on environmental and natural resources law, including water rights, contamination, permitting, public lands, mining, and oil & gas. He has been named a Mountain States “Super Lawyer” in Environmental Law, and has been ranked by Chambers and Partners in Natural Resources & Environment for Idaho. Dylan is also the current chairperson of the Idaho State Bar’s Environmental & Natural Resources section.

Dylan has represented and advised farmers, ranchers, mining companies, banks, resorts, guest lodges and irrigation districts in all manner of water right and water resource matters. This includes representation of clients in proceedings before both the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Snake River Basin Adjudication. Dylan frequently advises clients on water resource strategy and planning, and regarding transactions involving water rights, from the due diligence stage, to conveying water rights, to evaluation of water resource considerations after the transaction is complete.

Dylan has also been heavily involved in mining and oil & gas development in Idaho, including examination of mineral title, negotiation of mineral leases and oil & gas leases, quiet title actions, and obtaining approvals for projects on public lands from agencies such as BLM and the Idaho Department of Lands.

Dylan also has an extensive background in environmental law and has advised clients regarding compliance with the various environmental protection programs administered by agencies such as the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency, including Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permitting and compliance, hazardous waste and used oil management, and contamination liability and cleanup. These issues often arise in the context of a real estate transaction, and Dylan has extensive experience in helping clients address contamination and other environmental issues in that context in order to manage risks and help close the transaction.

In addition to his water rights and natural resources practices, Dylan has handled several appeals in a variety of legal contexts, including water rights, land use, easements, and estate administration. Dylan has also served as a trustee himself, and has advised and represented trustees in trust administration disputes.

Prior to joining Varin Thomas LLC, Dylan was a partner at one of Idaho’s largest law firms, Moffatt Thomas. Prior to moving to Idaho, Dylan worked at Bracewell LLP in Houston, Texas.

Significant Representations

Evaluated mineral title, and pursued quiet title action to secure and confirm ownership of mineral and oil & gas rights for landowners in Payette County, Idaho. Smith v. Smith, Case Nos. CV-2016-547, CV-2016-548 (3rd Dist.).
Defended group of ground water irrigators within Idaho’s Camas Prairie against water right delivery call actions that were ultimately dismissed, during both the administrative contested case proceedings and subsequent judicial appeals. Sun Valley Co. v. Spackman, Case No. CV-WA-2015-14500 (4th Dist.); City of Hailey v. Spackman, Case No. CV-WA-2015-14419 (4th Dist.); In the Matter of Distribution of Water to Water Rights Held By Members of the Big Wood & Little Wood Water Users Association, IDWR Docket Nos. CM-DC-2015-001, CM-DC-2015-002.
Advised client and negotiated and drafted settlement of dispute involving remediation of historical contamination at timber products treatment facility in Kootenai County, Idaho.
Successfully defeated a lawsuit challenging irrigation district assessments, in Charles Bratton, et al. v. Pioneer Irrigation District, CV-2013-0010531-C (4th Dist., Canyon County).
Successfully pursued land use application and agricultural lease with BLM to authorize irrigation and farming on federal land. U.S. Bureau of Land Management Agricultural Lease IDI-37597 (2013).
Successfully challenged water right ownership determination by the Idaho Department of Water Resources in connection with client’s prior purchase of a large ranch in Butte County and Custer County, Idaho. IDWR, RE: Correct Water Right Ownership Change (Nov. 20, 2013).
Represented renewable energy producer in contested air permit proceedings before the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality. Hidden Hollow Energy LLC v. Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality, BEQ Docket No. 0101-12-02.
Successfully petitioned the Idaho Department of Water Resources to rescind approval of water right transfer by prior water right owner, in order to restore prior water quantities and irrigation uses for purchaser of farm and proposed dairy facility. In the Matter of Transfer No. 73927, Preliminary Order of April 20, 2012.
Conducted water right due diligence on behalf of large dairy in acquisition of multiple large irrigated properties in Ada County and Canyon County, and advised client on various water resource planning activities, including water permit applications, transfer applications, and strategic use of the Idaho State Water Supply Bank.
Represented multiple mineral and landowners in negotiation of oil & gas leases in the Western Idaho Basin, which now includes Canyon County, Gem County, Owyhee County, Payette County, and Washington County.
Assisted developer of new phosphate mine in Bear Lake County in various aspects of mine development, including examination of mineral title, negotiation of mineral leases and other agreements with private landowners, and acquisition of mineral leases from BLM and Idaho Department of Lands.
Super Lawyer 2019

Primary Areas of Practice

Water Law & Natural Resources

Education

J.D., University of Texas at Austin, 2002, with honors
B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1997

Bar Admissions

Idaho State Bar
State Bar of Texas

Memberships & Affiliations

Recognized as a Mountain States “Super Lawyer” in Environmental Law
Ranked by Chambers and Partners in the areas of Natural Resources & Environment for Idaho
Chairperson, Idaho State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section
At-Large Board Member, Idaho State Bar Water Law Section
Member, Idaho Water Users Association
Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Member, Air & Waste Management Association

Recent Articles & Presentations

“Mineral Rights 101,” Boise Estate Planning Council (Dec. 7, 2015)
“Negotiating Agricultural Water Right Sales and Leases,” National Business Institute (Nov. 9, 2015)
“Oil & Gas Leasing in Idaho,” Idaho State Bar Real Property Section (May 6, 2015)
“Real Estate Law for Appraisers – Water Rights,” American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (Jan. 24, 2014)
“Water Rights in Idaho,” National Business Institute (Nov. 18, 2013)
“Idaho Supreme Court Reminds Water Permit Owners to Be Diligent in Pursuing Licenses,” The Advocate (Aug. 2013)
“The Legal Side of Agriculture – Environmental Compliance,” Leadership Idaho Agriculture (Feb. 20, 2013)
“Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Supply – A Regulatory Overview,” National Water Resources Association (Aug. 2, 2012)
“Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing in Idaho,” Idaho Water Users Association (June 18, 2012)
“Idaho’s Water Supply Bank: More Than Just a Marketplace for Water,” The Advocate (May 2011)

208.345.6021
Phone
866.717.1758
Fax

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242 N. 8th Street, Suite 220, Boise, ID 83702
Our office is located in the Fidelity building, directly above Pollo Rey. The entrance to the building is between the Pollo Rey and Bittercreek Alehouse patios.

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