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Dennis J.
Donohue

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

My admin

Environment and resource development projects often require the involvement of a number of law firms, all seamlessly working together on different aspects. Playing well in the sandbox is a particular strength of mine, and really of Warner in general. Our deep experience results in a certain ease and effectiveness – and precludes the need for unnecessary posturing – which our clients and our collaborating law firms appreciate.

Dennis Donohue is a leading environmental, energy and resource development attorney – with unique experience working in the context of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act Environment, as well as anything having to do with wetlands and the regulation or pollution of water. In other words, he is a water expert.

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

      Environment and resource development projects often require the involvement of a number of law firms, all seamlessly working together on different aspects. Playing well in the sandbox is a particular strength of mine, and really of Warner in general. Our deep experience results in a certain ease and effectiveness – and precludes the need for unnecessary posturing – which our clients and our collaborating law firms appreciate.

      Dennis Donohue is a leading environmental, energy and resource development attorney – with unique experience working in the context of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act Environment, as well as anything having to do with wetlands and the regulation or pollution of water. In other words, he is a water expert.

      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