Lydia Dexter

Lydia Dexter is an Attorney in the Indigenous Practice Group at Cultural Heritage Partners with a special focus on federal litigation. Lydia works at the intersection of environmental and federal Indian law, working to promote environmental justice and uphold Tribal sovereignty. In everything she does, Lydia puts Tribal sovereignty first. Her creative approach enmeshes Tribal culture into federal systems, simultaneously protecting cultural and natural resources and promoting economic sovereignty.

At CHP, Lydia partners with Tribal Nations, providing a balanced approach to natural resource use and protection that aligns with their cultural perspectives. Her work includes the protection of natural, cultural, and sacred resources through review and compliance under NEPA and NHPA. Additionally, Lydia assists Tribal Nations to assume federal responsibilities, regaining authority over Tribal land and resources. Lydia works to align Tribal Nations with federal eligibility requirements to receive Treatment as State status for the purpose of implementing and managing certain environmental programs and functions under statutes such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act. Her work includes the development of Tribal leasing regulations under the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act and associated environmental standards.

Before joining CHP, Lydia worked as a Legal Fellow for Earthrise Law Center, where she gained a deep understanding of environmental and administrative law. Her work at Earthrise included federal litigation brought under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Forest Management Act, and Freedom of Information Act.