The Environmental Law Section (ELS) is comprised of 177 voting members who serve individual, municipal, state, federal, tribal and corporate clients. Although the majority of members practice in Oklahoma, others work in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and some nations abroad. While the section’s membership may have diverse backgrounds and practices, all have demonstrated a commitment to making the economic prosperity of the state of Oklahoma a sustainable venture. Leading the section this year were Michael Decker, chairperson (Oklahoma City); Lloyd Landreth, chairperson-elect (Tulsa); Garry Keele II, past-chairperson (Tulsa); Connie Bryan, treasurer (Oklahoma City); and Teena Günter, secretary (Oklahoma City).

The first ELS meeting of the year was March 16, 2007, in the Emerson Room, Oklahoma Bar Center, Oklahoma City. The ELS was honored to have a program entitled “As the World Turns,” from noted meteorologist Gary England of Oklahoma City’s KWTV. Mr. England discussed several aspects of global climate change and how it might impact Oklahoma’s weather patterns. In excess of 40 members and guests were in attendance. A business meeting was held presided over by Michael Decker and lunch was provided to the members.

The ELS held its annual weekend retreat in Jenks, Oklahoma at the Oklahoma Aquarium and facilities of the Jenks School system on Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9, 2007. The retreat was a great success with over 50 members participating. The seminar provided excellent presentations and offered ten hours of Continuing Legal Education credit, including an hour of ethics. Speakers at the retreat included the Hon. Michael Bogert, Counselor to the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D.C.; the Hon. C. Miles Tolbert, Secretary of the Environment for the State of Oklahoma; Professor Irma Russell, National Energy-Environmental Law and Policy Institute, Tulsa University College of Law; Matt Paque, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality; Mary Ellen Ternes of McAfee Taft; Lloyd Landreth, Landreth Law Firm; Leon “Doc” Heath, PhD, Glenn Springs Holdings L.L.C./OXY; Elizabeth Joyner, Williams Companies; Janet Spaulding, Solicitor’s Office, U.S. Department of the Interior, Tulsa; and John Brewer and Earl Claus, Brewer-Claus Consulting. Dean Couch, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Sally Shipley, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Jimmy Givens, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and Teena Gunter, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry provided the Oklahoma agency updates. In addition to the presentations, an ELS business meeting was held, presided over by Michael Decker. Among the topics discussed included the potential revision of the section’s by-laws regarding amendments to enable voting by e-mail and the status of a proposed up-date of the Oklahoma Environmental Law Handbook.

The ELS held its fall meeting on Sept. 28, 2007, in the Multi-Purpose Conference Room of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality headquarters building in Oklahoma City. The section was honored to have a presentation from the ODEQ’s Executive Director Steve Thompson entitled “ODEQ: Future Legislative and Federal Issues.” A business meeting was chaired by Michael Decker, which addressed arrangements for the section’s 2008 summer program, proposals for CLE programs with the OBA and Arkansas Bar Association, and the status of the Oklahoma Environmental Law Handbook project. Lunch was provided to the members.

The Environmental Law Section’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Oklahoma City office of Hall, Estill law firm on Nov. 8, 2007, in conjunction with the OBA Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City. The agenda includes the election of officers for the upcoming year and discussion of other issues pending before the section.

This year was very successful for the Environmental Law Section because the diligent work of its officers and strong support of the ELS membership. The ELS laid a strong foundation for future growth, and continues to support a prosperous Oklahoma economy that provides a healthy quality of life for generations to come.

Michael Decker
Chairperson