Wade C. Foster

Wade Foster combines policy experience, technical acumen, and an understanding of the law to help clients succeed. With an honest assessment of the situation, Wade helps develop strong positioning and advocates for clients. Wade’s primary focus areas include mining, state water rights, and compliance counseling for clients subject to federal and state environmental laws. Whether in transactions, administrative proceedings, enforcement actions, or litigation, Wade is prepared to help clients tell their best story and achieve their business objectives.

Before joining Stoel Rives, Wade was a law clerk to the Honorable B. Lynn Winmill of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. He was a summer associate with Stoel Rives in the firm’s Seattle office, where he focused on environmental matters.

Prior to law school, Wade worked for a national fertilizer industry trade association, where he managed the association’s regulatory and scientific affairs and helped craft the industry’s policy positions related to mining, chemical processing, water quality, and agriculture. Wade also worked for Congressman Greg Walden in his Oregon and Washington, D.C., offices.

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2019; Managing Editor, Virginia Environmental Law Journal

Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences, B.S., Environmental Economics, Policy, and Management, 2009

Admissions

Idaho

Utah

Washington

• Defended agricultural, industrial, and mining clients in Clean Water Act citizen suits.
• Defended small automotive mechanic in Clean Air Act enforcement action brought by U.S. EPA alleging installation of emission control unit defeat devices.
• Defended forest products companies in Clean Air Act enforcement actions brought by U.S. EPA.
• Assisted mining company to obtain and transfer water rights for development of new mine.
• Obtained judgment for mining services company in breach of mining services agreement and forced foreclosure on mine in satisfaction of judgment.
• Assisted an oil and gas company in settling Tribal claims related to impacts on reserved treaty rights.
• Advised renewable energy developers on potential environmental liability related to purchase of solar and biogas projects.
• Advised manufacturer on how best to position themselves to limit liability from PFAS discharges in its industrial effluent.

Insights & Presentations

• “Tough Month in the Office: Agencies Face Uncertainty After Four Major Supreme Court Decisions” (co-author), Stoel Rives Environmental Law blog, August 2024
• “EPA Reconsiders New Risk Management Program Regulations, but Regulations Remain in Effect” (co-author), Stoel Rives Environmental Law blog, August 2024
• “Federal Government Finalizes Significant Changes to NEPA Regulations ” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP, May 2024
• “The Legal Right to Mine” (co-author), North American Mining, October 26, 2023
• “Phase 2 NEPA Revisions: Significant Changes Proposed by CEQ in the Proposed Bipartisan Permitting Reform Rule” (co-author), Stoel Rives Environmental Law blog, August 2023
• “The Intersection of Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Justice” (co-author), Hart Energy, August 1, 2023
• “Defining Environmental Justice” (co-author), Stoel Rives Environmental Law blog, June 2023
• “Environmental Justice: One Key to Corporate Sustainability” (co-author), The Advocate, May 2023
• “Charting the Course to Implement Environmental Justice Through Corporate Sustainability” (co-author), Corporate Counsel, October 18, 2021

Podcasts

• Selected by the Idaho Business Review as an Accomplished Under 40—Class 2024 Honoree

Professional

• College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Academy, Oregon State University, Advisory Board
• Western Resources Legal Center, Attorney Advisory Committee
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for Stoel Rives’ Boise Office, Chair

Civic

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho, B.I.G. Impact Group, Chair
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho, Big Brother, 2019–present
• Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, former Child Advocate
• Oregon FFA Association, former President