George Mannina has more than three decades experience with environmental litigation and government relations. He has demonstrated expertise with oceans and fisheries law, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Superfund Natural Resource Damages, and the Clean Water Act (CWA), with a particular emphasis on CWA jurisdictional issues. Mr. Mannina represents Fortune 50 companies, industry organizations, and state and national governments, developing successful strategies to solve client issues through litigation, government relations, or a blend of both.
With an intimate knowledge of the statutes, including experience drafting related legislation or amendments, Mr. Mannina has won favorable Supreme Court rulings, and major revisions or amendments of environmental laws.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Mannina served for 14 years on Capitol Hill, including eight years as Counsel to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation, and the Environment and two years as the Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the Minority Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Representative Work
Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. Served as counsel to SWANCC in the landmark Supreme Court ruling, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 531 U.S. 159 (2001), which redefined the jurisdictional boundaries of the Clean Water Act. The Court's decision removed certain waters from the permitting requirements of the Clean Water Act in ways favorable to the client.
Endangered Species Act. Litigated cases on compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Successfully represented clients in negotiating permits and agency approvals under the Endangered Species Act on matters with impacts ranging from several million to several billion dollars.
National Environmental Policy Act. Represented clients in developing new agency procedures and regulations governing implementation of, and compliance with, the National Environmental Policy Act.
Legislation. Served as an informal advisor to various Congressional Committees regarding the drafting of legislation on environmental and natural resources issues.
Marine Mammal Protection Act. Successfully represented the zoo and aquarium industry in securing major revisions to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Superfund. Representing Fortune 50 companies in legislative initiatives to amend Superfund's Natural Resource Damages program.
National and State Governments. Represented several governments on maritime and natural resource issues, including the Government of Iceland, Government of Israel, maritime issues and State of Alaska on natural resource matters before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.
Congressional Testimony. Frequently present testimony to Senate and House committees – at the request of members of Congress and clients – on oceans and fisheries conservation as well as Clean Water Act issues.
Witness at Hearings
United States Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works hearing on What Waters Are Jurisdictional Under the Clean Water Act, Washington, DC, December 13, 2007.
United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries hearing on The Effects of Hurricane Katrina, Washington, DC, December 15, 2005.
United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans hearing on Data Collection Programs For Ocean Resource Management, Washington, DC, June 16, 2004.
United States Senate Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries hearing on The Reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Washington, DC, September 2003.
United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans hearing on The Implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Washington, DC, October 11, 2001.
United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans hearing on Salmon Management and Implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, Washington, DC, May 18, 2000.