Jean O. Melious

Jean Melious' practice is focused on handling significant administrative and litigation matters involving land use and environmental issues for clients in both the public and private sectors.  Her expertise includes environmental impact assessment, planning and zoning law, endangered species legislation, transportation issues, growth management, regulation of air and water pollution, and hazardous waste regulation.

Experience

City of Ventura. Providing assistance on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and environmental permitting issues for Ventura WaterPure, a project for the potable reuse of wastewater.

Coachella Valley Water District. Providing counsel on the Endangered Species Act, including issues arising under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Lake Pillsbury Alliance. Providing counsel and drafting comments and motions pertaining to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s evaluation of PG&E’s application to decommission the Potter Valley Hyrdroelectric Alliance.

City and County of Honolulu. Drafted a significant portion of the brief before the U.S. District Court in Honolulutraffic.com v. FTA in a case involving NEPA and Section 4(f) issues relating to the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor.

Contra Costa County Transportation Authority. Providing assistance on CEQA compliance issues (e.g., Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore; Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan 2004 Update and Measure C Extension for the County of Contra Costa).

National Association of Home Builders et al. Prepared appellate brief filed in D.C. Circuit Court challenging Quino Checkerspot "protocol" adopted under the Endangered Species Act.

Orange County Transportation Authority et al. Prepared appellate brief filed in D.C. Circuit Court defending "No Surprises" Endangered Species Act litigation.

Chevron U.S.A. Provided assistance on Endangered Species Act compliance issues in Kern County, California.

Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies. Provided assistance on land use, environmental, endangered species and litigation issues related to construction of toll roads in Orange County, California.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Provided assistance on environmental compliance issues for construction of the Los Angeles subway system.

Community & Professional

American Bar Association

Washington State Bar Association

California Bar Association

American Planning Association

Dean and Professor, Western Washington University College of the Environment (retired)