Flood Damage Impacts and ESA Reform

July 24, 2025

Panelist, National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies - Annual Meeting

Public agencies continue to face litigation when physical damage from flooding impacts private property. Additionally, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) often has large impacts on the permitting of water infrastructure projects and O&M, and congress has recently introduced bills targeted at reforming ESA.

Join Downey Brand water law partner Scott Shapiro on Thursday, July 24 from 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM for a legal panel that will look at current inverse condemnation proceedings and discuss potential ESA reform and how that may impact public agencies alongside co-panelists include Karin Jacoby of Husch Blackwell and Molly Lawrence of Van Ness Feldman.

For more than 40 years, NAFSMA (National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies) has benefited member agencies by advocating for effective public policy, securing essential funding, and promoting innovations that help members better serve their communities.

This year’s Annual NAFSMA Meeting will take place from July 21-24, 2025 at the Loews Chicago Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Connect with colleagues to share ideas and collaborate, engage with Federal Partners to learn about upcoming policy changes, and learn about innovative projects and local success stories in water infrastructure. Session highlights also include multi-benefit projects and engineering with nature, how to advocate for water infrastructure, and alternative financing.

To learn more and to register, please visit the event webpage.