This year's Advanced NRD Conference in DC starts with a special opening policy address from Jeffrey B. Clark, Assistant Attorney General for ENRD, on federal policy priorities. We'll follow that with a discussion by federal trustees on how they see the current challenges and opportunities.

States are asserting themselves on a number of environmental issues and this event will feature New Jersey as an NRD pioneer that is moving forward to address new issues. New issues include baseline in the context of extreme weather and climate change, and innovative approaches for valuing nature and sustainability. Along those lines, speakers will have a case study of a consent decree with the City of Seattle for restoration banking. Attendees will hear insights from in-house counsel for NRD case management strategies and be provided with an annual update on trial strategies and techniques. The event will conclude with John Cruden's insights into how NRD practice adapts to new issues and science.

WilmerHale Special Counsel Rachel Jacobson will speak on Friday, March 15, 2019, during the session "Restoration Banking: An Idea Who's Time Has Finally Arrived?" She will cover opportunities and obstacles for third-party credit-banking mechanisms as memorialized in the recent consent decree with the City of Seattle.