Practice Focus
Drawing on her broad experience in environmental, land-use and regulatory matters in government and the private sector, Barbara Ripley manages complex projects affecting multiple interests. She has particular expertise in federal and state wetlands permitting and enforcement, NPDES permits, FERC hydropower licensing and Section 401 water quality certifications, hazardous and solid waste permitting and enforcement, air quality permitting and Act 250.
Barbara is skilled in managing land-use projects that involve protective easements or raise environmental concerns such as habitat protection, water quality and endangered species. She has experience in local zoning and municipal matters. Barbara has appeared before the Environmental Court, Superior Court, Public Service Board, Water Resources Board and the Environmental Board, as well as local boards and commissions in connection with land-use matters. She is experienced in stakeholder process facilitation and mediation.
Professional Activities
From 1994-98, Barbara was secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), where she oversaw operations and policy involving 570 employees in three departments under then-Governor Howard Dean. Before heading ANR, she was commissioner of Vermont's Department of Labor & Industry in charge of building code compliance and fire prevention, workers compensation and apprenticeship, and general and special counsel to the State of Vermont's Agency of Development and Community Affairs.
After leaving state government, Barbara was the director of the River Watch Network, a small environmental non-profit organization, where she facilitated its merger into River Network, a larger national river protection non-profit. She joined DRM in November 2004.
Barbara was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2008.
Community Involvement
Barbara is currently a member of the board of directors for the Vermont River Conservancy. She has served on the board of directors of the Vermont Student Assistant Corporation (VSAC) and Stone Environmental and as president of the board for EVermont (Electric Vehicle Research Group). She also served as co-chair of Friends of Sabin's Pasture, president of the Partnership of Environmental Technology & Sciences, Inc. and as a member of the Vermont Technology Council.
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