Natural Resource Damages & Environmental Justice
Environmental Agencies, Superfund Cleanups, and Managing Enforcement Actions
What are PFAS and Why Should We Care?
Volatile Times in Vapor Intrusion Regulation: A Legal and Technical Update
Because the courts have interpreted the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as a strict liability statute holding owners in the chain of title liable...more
Today, February 13, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International E1527-21 "Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process" becomes the modern legal...more
On December 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took final action to approve the new ASTM International standard for conducting Phase I environmental site assessments. As previously noted, ASTM...more
Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (“VDEQ”) announced via its email newsletter that it will resume issuance of Bona Fide Prospective Purchase (“BFPP”) and other “Comfort Letters” beginning September 1, 2022. This...more
On November 1, 2021, ASTM International released its revised standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. On March 14, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) published a Direct Final Rule that...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of rulemaking to adopt a new national standard for Phase I environmental site assessments. While the EPA had hoped to adopt the new Phase I standard more...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: We noted earlier this year that the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) was in the process of updating its Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site...more
As an environmental practitioner, I am often asked to review Phase I environmental site assessments. The majority of Phase Is are prepared by a prospective purchaser or lessee of real property seeking to secure bona fide...more
With its imposition of strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), also known as the Superfund statute, has raised...more
ASTM International (ASTM) has proposed redefining a Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition (CREC). The ASTM's definition, as drafted, confuses risk-based decision-making with the implementation of institutional...more
The US Supreme Court held that CERCLA does not preempt state law restoration claims by landowners who are potentially responsible parties, but clarifies that the Environmental Protection Agency must approve landowners’...more
The Petroleum Marketers Association (“PMAA”) publication Weekly Review published a March 26th article addressing a new ASTM Standard for spill bucket and sump testing. Spill bucket and sump testing is required by 40 C.F.R. §...more
The Association of States and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) issued a September 2019 report addressing certain Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (i.e., Superfund)...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fully or partially deleted 22 sites from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act...more
Introduction - Vapor intrusion has emerged as an important legal, scientific, and policy issue over the last decade. With this issue’s growing importance, it is prudent for persons acquiring, leasing, or developing...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced in a May 18th news release that the City of Slidell, Louisiana, (“Slidell”) was recognized for its reuse of a federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,...more
The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) has published a position paper titled: State Concerns with the Process of Identifying Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has issued a November 21st document related to contaminated sediment sites titled: Sample CWA/CERCLA Memorandum of Understanding for Regions, States, Tribes, and...more
The Subcommittee on Environment of the United States House Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing addressing the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or Superfund...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced in a January 8th news release that it is awarding $71,430 to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”). The award is stated to be provided...more
The Chairman and two Subcommittee Chairmen from the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce (“Committee”) addressed a December 21st letter to Administrator Scott Pruitt of the United States...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a December 8th news release identifying 21 sites that it has targeted for what it describes as “immediate and intense action.” No Arkansas sites are found on...more
The proposed reforms seek to accelerate cleanup and reuse of sites to reduce risks, reduce costs, and hasten redevelopment....more
With increasing concern and attention being raised by regulatory agencies and the public on protecting building occupants from exposure to vapor intrusion (VI)-related contaminants, parties acquiring and developing property...more
2016 begins with the issuance of this Construction Industry Newsletter, our fifth. In this issue, we have articles on vapor intrusion, liability for project design, enforcement of mechanic’s lien and bond waiver clauses, and...more