Desautel Browning Law

Desautel Browning Law Desautel Browning Law is at the forefront of complex land use and environmental matters.

06/06/2026

As aquaculture grows, so do questions about navigation, public access, and the future of traditional fishing grounds.

Marine spatial planning is becoming an increasingly important tool for balancing competing interests while protecting the resources and communities that depend on them.

The challenge isn’t choosing winners and losers—it’s finding solutions that support sustainable growth and long-term access for everyone who uses our coastal waters.

Zoning and licensing serve different legal functions, but both can impact whether a project or business can move forward...
05/28/2026

Zoning and licensing serve different legal functions, but both can impact whether a project or business can move forward.

Zoning regulates how land can be used, including permitted uses, density, and physical development. Licensing, on the other hand, governs whether a specific activity or business operation is allowed, often through separate regulatory bodies.

Understanding how these frameworks interact is critical. A project may be permitted under zoning but still require licensing approval to operate legally.

Learn more about our land use and regulatory practice:
https://bit.ly/47GVGx6

Providing strategic environmental, land use, and regulatory counsel to clients across Rhode Island and New England.

05/26/2026

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, we explore how economic headwinds, rising interest rates, and ongoing supply chain challenges are impacting commercial developers and projects across the region. From financing strategies to material delays and shifting market cycles, these factors are reshaping how projects are planned, timed, and executed in today’s evolving landscape.

Understanding these pressures can help developers, investors, and businesses make more informed decisions, stay adaptable, and position their projects for long-term success.

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
https://bit.ly/48kWF85

Providing expert environmental law, land use, and regulatory counsel across Rhode Island and New England.

Sustainability is increasingly shaping how projects are reviewed, permitted, and approved.Regulatory agencies and munici...
05/19/2026

Sustainability is increasingly shaping how projects are reviewed, permitted, and approved.

Regulatory agencies and municipalities are placing greater emphasis on environmental impact, while tenants and communities are expecting developments that reflect sustainable and experience-driven design. These factors can influence permitting outcomes, project conditions, and overall approval timelines.

For developers and property owners, integrating sustainability considerations early is no longer optional. It is a key part of navigating today’s regulatory landscape.

Learn more about our environmental and land use practice:
https://bit.ly/47GVGx6

Providing strategic environmental, land use, and regulatory counsel to clients across Rhode Island and New England.

Regulatory approvals are not just about outcomes, they are about process.When agencies approve modified proposals withou...
05/14/2026

Regulatory approvals are not just about outcomes, they are about process.

When agencies approve modified proposals without proper notice or opportunity for public input, those decisions may be vulnerable to legal challenge. This reinforces a key principle in environmental and land use law: procedural compliance is critical to the validity of any approval.

For applicants and stakeholders, ensuring that regulatory processes are properly followed can help avoid delays, reversals, and litigation.

Learn more about our environmental and land use practice:
https://bit.ly/47GVGx6

Providing strategic environmental, land use, and regulatory counsel to clients across Rhode Island and New England.

05/13/2026

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, we examine how shifting offshore wind policies under a new administration could impact project development, regulatory approvals, and the future of renewable energy initiatives.

As priorities evolve at the federal level, these changes may influence everything from permitting timelines to investment confidence across the industry.

Staying informed on policy direction is essential for developers, businesses, and stakeholders looking to adapt and make strategic decisions in an increasingly complex energy landscape.

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
https://apple.co/4d3XHI8

Providing expert environmental law, land use, and regulatory counsel across Rhode Island and New England.

Public utility and energy matters often involve complex and highly regulated legal frameworks.From working with regulato...
05/12/2026

Public utility and energy matters often involve complex and highly regulated legal frameworks.

From working with regulators and utilities to advising developers and energy service providers, navigating this space requires a clear understanding of both legal requirements and long-term regulatory risk. Effective counsel can help identify potential challenges early and develop strategies that support both compliance and project success.

If you are facing a public utility or energy law issue, experienced guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Call to schedule a consultation:
(401) 477-0023

Providing strategic environmental, energy, and regulatory counsel to clients across Rhode Island and New England.

We’re proud to share that Kendra Quewezance, Esq. has been published in the May/June 2026 issue of the Rhode Island Bar ...
05/12/2026

We’re proud to share that Kendra Quewezance, Esq. has been published in the May/June 2026 issue of the Rhode Island Bar Journal.

Her article, “Tribal Consultation in Environmental Regulation and Land Use Decision-Making,” explores the intersection of American Indian law, environmental regulation, federal permitting, and land use decision-making.

Kendra’s publication reflects Desautel Browning’s continued commitment to thought leadership on complex legal and regulatory issues impacting tribes, developers, agencies, and communities.

Congratulations to Kendra on this recognition and contribution to the legal profession >>> https://bit.ly/4tzl0yp.

Proposed changes to Rhode Island’s environmental agencies may shift structure, but not necessarily complexity.Legislatio...
05/11/2026

Proposed changes to Rhode Island’s environmental agencies may shift structure, but not necessarily complexity.

Legislation to merge the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) into the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) could streamline certain administrative functions. However, even under a unified agency, projects may still require approvals from multiple divisions, particularly where coastal and inland resources overlap.

For applicants, that means regulatory coordination, sequencing, and compliance strategy remain critical. Agency consolidation does not eliminate the need to navigate multiple permitting pathways.

Understanding how jurisdictional authority is applied across agencies and divisions is essential to avoiding delays and conflicting requirements.

Learn more about our environmental and land use practice: https://bit.ly/47GVGx6

05/10/2026

Environmental indemnity language is not “just boilerplate.”

Too often, parties sign these provisions without realizing they may be assuming environmental liability — including unknown risks that may not surface until years later.

The time to evaluate indemnity language is at the beginning of the deal, not right before signing.

Because once you sign, you may own the risk.

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