Christopher L. Powell
Counsel

Christopher L. Powell

Chris specializes in land use, real estate and environmental law, helping clients develop and use their properties for cannabis cultivation and related businesses, mining and oil & gas resource extraction, alcohol related businesses, and commercial/residential development.  Chris has helped clients in both permitting and enforcement situations.  Owners of businesses and development projects across California rely on Chris for his expertise in obtaining land use approvals and permits including, general plan amendments, specific plans, zone changes, conditional use permits, site approvals, ABC licenses, subdivisions, plans of operations, rights of way and reclamation plants.

Clients seek his guidance with regard to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Endangered Species Act (CESA), the California Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (“MMRSA”), Land Use and Zoning Law, Clean Water Act (CWA), Williamson Act, and Surface Mining and reclamation Act (SMARA). Chris also has expertise with public land issues (e.g., BLM-managed land and Forest Service-managed land) including location, maintenance and use of mining claims, and approvals for rights of way.

Experience

Purchase and sale of property, leases, easements, subdivisions, and due diligence;

Assisted cannabis cultivators with land use, environmental and regulatory issues.

Obtained permits for production brewery and related tasting room;

Provided advice on permitting strategies for breweries, wineries & distilleries;

Obtained permits for production brewery and related tasting room;

Provided advice on permitting strategies for breweries, wineries & distilleries;

Assisted a large mining company with obtaining land use permits and complying with CEQA.

Coordinated purchase of large gold mining property.

Assisted oil & gas companies with title review and purchase of properties.

Areas of Practices

Cannabis Law

Brewery, Winery & Distillery Law

Real Estate

Mining Law

Environmental Law

Oil & Gas

Water Quality

Memberships

Urban Land Institute (ULI), Member

California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA), Member

Sacramento County Bar Association, Member

Sacramento Metro EDGE, Member

Education

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., with Great Distinction, 2007)

University of California, Berkeley (B.A., 2000)

Publications

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Volume XXX No. 3, Emergency

Regulations Regarding Suction Dredge Mining In California (2013)

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Volume XXX No. 1, California State Water Resources Control Board Issues Preliminary Draft Of Wetland Area Protection And Dredged Or Fill Permitting Policy (2013)

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Volume XXIX No. 4, New Stormwater

Permit Will Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements On Mine Operators (2012)

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Volume XXIX No. 3, California Court Of Appeal Holds That Mining Company Lacked A Vested Right To Mine Without A Permit (2012)