Skip to Main Content

Dennis J.
Donohue

  • Partner
ddonohue@wnj.com
Grand Rapids
T 616.752.2192
F 616.752.2500

My admin

industries

practices

  • Successfully represented major international mining company in obtaining permits for first primary nickel-copper mine in United States.
  • Currently representing mining companies on three mining projects in Michigan and Minnesota.
  • Represents investors and banks on due diligence associated with financing of mining projects.
  • Assisted in the drafting of new mining regulations in Michigan.
  • Represented a resource development company on proposed cellulosic ethanol plant.
  • Counseled international mining company on strategies for managing legacy contaminated properties.
  • Represented tannery in negotiating consent judgment with State of Michigan to address extensive groundwater/surface water interface contamination at
  • Successfully represented major international mining company in obtaining permits for first primary nickel-copper mine in United States.
  • Currently representing mining companies on three mining projects in Michigan and Minnesota.
  • Represents investors and banks on due diligence associated with financing of mining projects.
  • Assisted in the drafting of new mining regulations in Michigan.
  • Represented a resource development company on proposed cellulosic ethanol plant.
  • Counseled international mining company on strategies for managing legacy contaminated properties.
  • Represented tannery in negotiating consent judgment with State of Michigan to address extensive groundwater/surface water interface contamination at the former Whitehall Leather site in Whitehall, Michigan.
  • Represented an electric power cooperative on water use and permitting issues associated with construction of a proposed new clean-coal baseload electric power plant in an existing limestone mine.
  • Represented tannery in developing a sediment remediation strategy and negotiating a consent judgment addressing remediation of contaminated sediments in White Lake, Michigan, a federal Great Lakes Area of Concern.
  • Represented international mining company in developing sediment remediation plan and negotiating a consent judgment addressing contaminated sediments in Deer Lake, Michigan, a federal Great Lakes Area of Concern.
  • Represented development company in successfully addressing a high-profile NPDES stormwater discharge permit case.
  • Counseled international paper company on various NPDES and compliance issues and strategies.
  • Counseled sand and gravel mining companies on NPDES and groundwater discharge permit compliance issues.
  • Assisted in development of periodic amendments to Michigan’s environmental cleanup statute.
  • Represented paper company in successful challenge to NPDES permit limits.
  • Represented and counseled numerous companies on various environmental enforcement and compliance issues
  • “How the Sackett Decision Impacts the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” MAA 2023 Annual Conference, February 9, 2023
  • “New Waters of the United States Rule”, Michigan Aggregates Association, February 2020
  • “Testing Your Mettle: Environmental Review and Permitting for Modern Mining Projects,” Society of Mine Engineers Minnesota Conference, April 2016
  • Great Lakes Economic Forum, “Digging Deeper – The Future of Mining in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region,” 2016
  • “Great Lakes Copper-Nickel Mining Update: Opportunities and Obstacles,” American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, December 2015
  • “How the Sackett Decision Impacts the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” MAA 2023 Annual Conference, February 9, 2023
  • “New Waters of the United States Rule”, Michigan Aggregates Association, February 2020
  • “Testing Your Mettle: Environmental Review and Permitting for Modern Mining Projects,” Society of Mine Engineers Minnesota Conference, April 2016
  • Great Lakes Economic Forum, “Digging Deeper – The Future of Mining in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region,” 2016
  • “Great Lakes Copper-Nickel Mining Update: Opportunities and Obstacles,” American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, December 2015
  • “Natural Resources Permits and Administrative Challenges: Eagle Mine as a Case Study,” State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section, February 2015
  • Michigan Bar Association Environmental Law Section, “Mining in Michigan” Webinar, 2015
  • Michigan Manufacturing Association, “Waters of the United States Regulatory Update,” 2014
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute, “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects in Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” 2013
  • Michigan Wetlands Association Wetlands Update, May 2013
      • “New Mining Projects in Michigan: Opportunities and Obstacles,” Michigan Bar Journal, June 2014
      • “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects In Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” (Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation 2013 Annual Institute)
      • Author or co-author of articles for the Environmental Law Journal (State of Michigan)
      • Author or co-author of articles for the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy and Resources Year in Review
      • Author or co-author of articles for the Michigan Environmental Law Deskbook, and A Guide for Michigan Business (Mi
      • “New Mining Projects in Michigan: Opportunities and Obstacles,” Michigan Bar Journal, June 2014
      • “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects In Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” (Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation 2013 Annual Institute)
      • Author or co-author of articles for the Environmental Law Journal (State of Michigan)
      • Author or co-author of articles for the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy and Resources Year in Review
      • Author or co-author of articles for the Michigan Environmental Law Deskbook, and A Guide for Michigan Business (Michigan Chamber of Commerce)
      • Co-author and Editor, The 100 Biggest Mistakes of Environmental Compliance and How to Fix or Avoid Them (Michigan Chamber of Commerce)
      • Editor of Michigan Administrative Law Quarterly
      Image for Dennis J. Donohue

      Dennis J.
      Donohue

      • Partner
      ddonohue@wnj.com
      Grand Rapids
      T 616.752.2192
      F 616.752.2500

      My admin

      Biography|
      Credentials

      industries

      practices

      • “How the Sackett Decision Impacts the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” MAA 2023 Annual Conference, February 9, 2023
      • “New Waters of the United States Rule”, Michigan Aggregates Association, February 2020
      • “Testing Your Mettle: Environmental Review and Permitting for Modern Mining Projects,” Society of Mine Engineers Minnesota Conference, April 2016
      • Great Lakes Economic Forum, “Digging Deeper – The Future of Mining in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region,” 2016
      • “Great Lakes Copper-Nickel Mining Update: Opportunities and Obstacles,” American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, December 2015
      • “How the Sackett Decision Impacts the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” MAA 2023 Annual Conference, February 9, 2023
      • “New Waters of the United States Rule”, Michigan Aggregates Association, February 2020
      • “Testing Your Mettle: Environmental Review and Permitting for Modern Mining Projects,” Society of Mine Engineers Minnesota Conference, April 2016
      • Great Lakes Economic Forum, “Digging Deeper – The Future of Mining in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region,” 2016
      • “Great Lakes Copper-Nickel Mining Update: Opportunities and Obstacles,” American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, December 2015
      • “Natural Resources Permits and Administrative Challenges: Eagle Mine as a Case Study,” State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section, February 2015
      • Michigan Bar Association Environmental Law Section, “Mining in Michigan” Webinar, 2015
      • Michigan Manufacturing Association, “Waters of the United States Regulatory Update,” 2014
      • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute, “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects in Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” 2013
      • Michigan Wetlands Association Wetlands Update, May 2013
          • “New Mining Projects in Michigan: Opportunities and Obstacles,” Michigan Bar Journal, June 2014
          • “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects In Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” (Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation 2013 Annual Institute)
          • Author or co-author of articles for the Environmental Law Journal (State of Michigan)
          • Author or co-author of articles for the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy and Resources Year in Review
          • Author or co-author of articles for the Michigan Environmental Law Deskbook, and A Guide for Michigan Business (Mi
          • “New Mining Projects in Michigan: Opportunities and Obstacles,” Michigan Bar Journal, June 2014
          • “Managing Obstacles to New Mining Projects In Regions Impacted by Past Mining Operations,” (Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation 2013 Annual Institute)
          • Author or co-author of articles for the Environmental Law Journal (State of Michigan)
          • Author or co-author of articles for the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy and Resources Year in Review
          • Author or co-author of articles for the Michigan Environmental Law Deskbook, and A Guide for Michigan Business (Michigan Chamber of Commerce)
          • Co-author and Editor, The 100 Biggest Mistakes of Environmental Compliance and How to Fix or Avoid Them (Michigan Chamber of Commerce)
          • Editor of Michigan Administrative Law Quarterly