Kristin B. Peer (916) 446-4254 x107 kbp@bkslawfirm.com
OverviewKristin is a seasoned attorney with significant expertise in environmental law, particularly in water resources law and policy. With nearly two decades of experience, spanning both public service and private practice, Kristin brings a wealth of experience to BKS clients. Kristin’s career journey includes pivotal positions within the California state government, where she played instrumental roles in shaping and implementing water policy. As Deputy Secretary and Special Counsel for Water Policy at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), Kristin navigated California’s complex legal and regulatory landscape to advance sustainable water management practices and governance initiatives throughout the state. Kristin also served as Assistant General Counsel for CalEPA, where she provided legal counsel on water-related and other matters, advising CalEPA’s boards, departments and office on public agency compliance, litigation and regulatory policy and enforcement. Prior to her tenure at CalEPA, Kristin was a litigator with the California Attorney General’s Office, where she defended and prosecuted high-stakes environmental cases, representing a diverse array of state agencies charged with managing and protecting the state’s natural resources. Beyond her client representation, Kristin dedicates her time to serving on behalf of the state of California on the Board of Directors for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC). In this capacity, she is proud to serve on a board whose members include representatives appointed by the states of California and Oregon, tribal governments and environmental non-governmental organizations. The Board of Directors is overseeing the implementation of the largest restoration project in United States history after the removal of four aging hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. Kristin's academic credentials include a law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and bachelor’s degrees in business-Economics and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated with Honors.Practice AreasWater Rights Water Transfers Groundwater Management & SGMA Compliance State Water Board Proceedings & Reporting Regional Water Quality Control Boards Water Quality Permitting and Compliance Regulatory and Policy Strategy and AdvocacyGroups and AssociationsKlamath River Renewal Corporation, Board of Directors, Member The State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section, Mentor Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), Legislative CommitteeEducationJ.D., University of California, Los Angeles B.A., University of California, Santa BarbaraRepresentative MattersSonoma County Water Agency, Negotiations with regional partners regarding the planned decommissioning of PG&E’s Potter Valley Project City of Santa Barbara, Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility, Contract Compliance and Permitting J.R. Simplot Company, Water Quality Permitting and Compliance Sacramento Regional Water Authority, Regulatory Compliance and Advocacy Yuba County Water Agency, Yuba Accord Extension permitting Buena Vista Water Storage District, Kern River Water Right Applications, State Water Board Administrative Hearing Office North Gualala Water Company, Water Right Change Petitions, State Water Board Administrative Hearing OfficePublications and PresentationsKRISTIN PEER AND STACY GILLESPIE, Safeguarding Water Quality in Federal Licensing Decisions: California’s Response to Recent Constraints on Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Authority, 13 Golden Gate U. Envitl. L. J. 1 (2021)