Ronda Sandquist advises owners and operators of major projects on environmental and natural resource permitting and regulatory compliance. These projects often trigger environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for which Ronda’s extensive knowledge of environmental consequences and mitigation is invaluable. Her clients extract, develop and market resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, coalbed methane, metals, and aggregates; and develop alternate energy, water storage and real estate projects. In addition to NEPA revisions for these projects, Ronda and her team have obtained permits relating to water, wetlands, endangered species, air quality and hazardous materials.

Ronda counsels clients on developing and revising water quality standards that are unduly onerous – not practical or feasible to attain. She has developed and secured the approval of various state agencies and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for innovative approaches including market-based trading and offset programs, mitigation for existing and new sources, and adaptive management. Ronda was the “architect” of water quality trading programs and individual trade projects in Colorado (Cherry Creek, Chatfield, Bear Creek) and Idaho (Boise River). By invitation, she served on a special panel for the World Resources Institute regarding market-based environmental strategies to improve water quality. 

She provides specialized counseling and defense for clients with complex interdisciplinary environmental issues and claims. She has successfully defended notices of violations with potential penalties of more than US$1 million for municipal and industrial clients and implemented new environmental practices and protocols to improve their long-term compliance. Ronda’s understanding of national environmental trends and state requirements provides a framework for advising clients on project alternatives and mitigation.

Prior to entering private practice, she was a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Montana, Department of Natural Resources. In that capacity, Ronda represented Montana in sitting of major power facilities and litigation challenging federal jurisdiction and requirements for energy projects in the state. She also counseled Montana on the Yellowstone River Compact and represented all state agencies in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings for a new hydropower project.

Although for internal administrative reasons Ronda is a member of Squire Sanders' Phoenix office, she resides in Denver, Colorado.

Representative Experience

• Advising the subsidiary of a US-based coal mining company developing a new underground coal mine on Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) procedural and substantive requirements; and necessary permitting and approvals including wetland determinations, biologic opinions for endangered species, revisions to water quality standards, coal leasing, Public Utilities Commission proceedings for railroad crossings, and rights-of-way across federal lands.
• Advising a Canada-based real estate company acquiring Colorado property on due diligence and contract terms related to water rights, mineral rights (including rights of third party oil and gas owners), zoning and subdivision status, and authority and related debt of quasi-municipal entities.
• Developing for producers of coalbed methane gas strategies to achieve long-term water quality compliance which include successful permit appeals that challenged erroneous terms; real-time water quality monitoring so water users have information on suitability of water; revisions of water standards to align with protection of water uses; water quality trading projects to reduce pollutants and enhance aquatic habitat; and modification of testing protocols.
• Overturning on behalf of private industry the California Regional Water Quality Board’s permits for discharges into the San Francisco Bay  because the limits for mercury were not scientifically based and the Board had not established mercury controls to major nonpoint sources.
• Advising clients on EIS and 404 Permit (wetlands) requirements, and endangered species mitigation for expansions to an existing US water storage project.
• Securing state and federal compliance including Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance, for a wind power project in Wyoming.
• Representing municipalities, private business and NGOs in water quality hearings on issues such as new standards for aluminum, phosphorus, nitrogen, mercury, TMDLs and Reclaimed Water.
• Obtaining federal approvals for land exchange, to exchange private holdings in a wilderness area for US properties adjacent to a resort community.
• Developing environmental strategies for produced water from oil and gas wells, recognizing the value of increased water flows in the arid west for wildlife and agriculture.
• Representing a major airline in cost recovery negotiations with the city of Denver for the cleanup of a closed commercial airport in Denver.
• Rezoning and planning for a 6,000-acre multiple-use project and permitting for necessary infrastructure to serve the project.
• Advising an international company on air quality audits and air emission compliance for its US-based facilities in more than 20 states.