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Articles 1 - 27 of 27

Full-Text Articles in Environmental Law

Finality In Brownfields Remediation And Reuse, Joel B. Eisen Jan 2012

Finality In Brownfields Remediation And Reuse, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

The intersection of brownfields redevelopment and these broader concerns presents a host of issues. Does redevelopment of brownfields connect to a larger vision for the city that links with "smart growth" and climate action goals? Retooling the original developer-centered vision of VCPs to promote broader goals is an ongoing challenge. Has the affected community been involved in planning for brownfields remediation, or has the developer controlled the process? The latter narrows the ability to view the project as part of a community-wide plan, and undermines its legitimacy. Finally, if brownfields redevelopment yields benefits, how can we measure success over the …


Cleaning Up The Mess: The Economic, Environmental, And Cultural Impact Of U.S. Military Base Closures On Surrounding Communities, Elizabeth M. Myers Jan 2010

Cleaning Up The Mess: The Economic, Environmental, And Cultural Impact Of U.S. Military Base Closures On Surrounding Communities, Elizabeth M. Myers

Richmond Journal of Global Law & Business

Today, many military bases have become financial burdens on the federal government, as the military’s needs and systems have changed drastically since the end of the Cold War. The federal government has discovered it can save a significant amount of money by shutting down unnecessary installations and shifting the work to ongoing bases. The federal government can also make money by selling the land of former military bases to surrounding communities or private companies.


Brownfields And Brac: A Surprising "Compatibility", Joel B. Eisen Jan 2008

Brownfields And Brac: A Surprising "Compatibility", Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

In Part I of this Article, I describe the BRAC process and compare it to the process for remediating abandoned or underused sites in state brownfields programs. I find that while the two systems are different in many significant respects, these differences do not overwhelm the commonalities inherent in comparing two systems that focus on remediating sites and transferring them to their new owners. In Part II, I describe the environmental remediation process of BRAC and positive "surprises" in terms of the statutory preference for finality in remedial actions and for public participation at sites being closed and the more …


Brownfields At 20: A Critical Reevaluation, Joel B. Eisen Jan 2007

Brownfields At 20: A Critical Reevaluation, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

Following a basic description of the New Jersey program, I will discuss two specific developments, the BDA initiative and the recent "Grace Period Rule," that changed some aspects of the program. My aim is more modest than a full-scale re-evaluation of all brownfields programs (or indeed of the New Jersey program in its totality); instead I look at the experience within one program to assess whether there is movement toward the development-centered approach. I find that some developments in New Jersey are positive, notably the BDA's approach to addressing multiple brownfield sites concurrently in the same location. On the other …


Environmental Law, Lisa Spickler Goodwin Nov 2002

Environmental Law, Lisa Spickler Goodwin

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.


Brownfields Redevelopment, Joel B. Eisen Jan 2002

Brownfields Redevelopment, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

Critiquing how brownfields programs expanded without much attention to developments in the international environmental arena will illustrate some ways to alter them to comport with Agenda 21 and other prerequisites for sustainable development. Another interesting aspect of this analysis for the Rio+ 10 review is its timing. The state and federal programs have mushroomed since 1992; for example, while a small of states had "voluntary cleanup programs" 10 years ago, virtually every state has one now, and there is considerable increasing experience with them. If adjustments to these programs should be developed to comport with the prescriptions of Agenda 21 …


A Case Study Of Sustainable Development: Brownfields, Joel B. Eisen Jan 2002

A Case Study Of Sustainable Development: Brownfields, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

Critiquing how brownfields programs expanded without much attention to developments in the international environmental arena will illustrate some ways to alter them to comport with Agenda 21 and other prerequisites for sustainable development. Another interesting aspect of this analysis for the Rio + 10 review is its timing. The state and federal programs have mushroomed since 1992; for example, while a small minority of states had "voluntary cleanup programs" 10 years ago, virtually every state has one now, and there is considerable and increasing experience with them. If adjustments to these programs should be developed to comport with the prescriptions …


Environmental Law Slogans For The New Millenium, Michael Allan Wolf Jan 2001

Environmental Law Slogans For The New Millenium, Michael Allan Wolf

University of Richmond Law Review

Contrary to the bleakest predictions offered by environmental fatalists during the latter half of the 1900s, humanity and much of the plant and animal kingdom survived New Year's Eve 1999. Similarly, contrary to the dire warnings of industrial organizations and lobbyists that overburdening environmental regulations would spell the end of profitable, American capitalism, the year 2000 dawned in the United States with the world's most extensive array of anti-pollution and pro-conservation measures regulating the globe's most impressive economic engines.


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Kevin J. Finto, Christopher R. Graham, Brooks M. Smith, Penny A. Shamblin Jan 2001

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Kevin J. Finto, Christopher R. Graham, Brooks M. Smith, Penny A. Shamblin

University of Richmond Law Review

Recent developments in environmental law in Virginia continue to reflect several trends. These trends may be grouped into six general categories: (1) the growing tension between federal environmental mandates and their practical implementation through delegated state programs; (2) the continuing debate over the exact definition of "interstate commerce" and the scope of state authority to regulate in the gray area; (3) the impending deregulation of the electrical energy market; (4) the promotion of sustainable development; (5) the developing schism between state and local land use control; and (6) the evolving nature of administrative law in the environmental context. The following …


Alternative Dispute Resolution At The Environmental Protection Agency, Joel B. Eisen Jan 2000

Alternative Dispute Resolution At The Environmental Protection Agency, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

This chapter examines how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to help resolve complex environmental disputes. In recent years, the EPA's use of ADR has increased dramatically in a wide variety of settings. The EPA has made ADR a central feature of its environmental enforcement strategy, encouraged its use in Title VI and environmental justice conflict settings, and turned to negotiated rulemaking as an alternative to the cumbersome notice-and-comment process for the development of new federal regulations. Other EPA programs, such as the Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative, promote nonadversarial methods for tackling complex environmental …


Brownfields Policies For Sustainable Cities, Joel B. Eisen Jan 1999

Brownfields Policies For Sustainable Cities, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

My analysis begins in Part I with a short summary of brownfields law and policy, and a description of our current understanding of "sustainable development." There is no hard and fast definition of the term, but it is increasingly more clear that a body of sustainable development "law" will take shape as the product of a host of decisions made now and in the near future. The optimal way to ensure that brownfields programs mesh with this body of law-whatever it turns out to be-is to incorporate basic norms of sustainable development about which there is widespread agreement. Those agreed-upon …


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Kelley A. Kinney, Andrea West Wortzel Jan 1998

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Kelley A. Kinney, Andrea West Wortzel

University of Richmond Law Review

This article reviews the key environmental developments at the federal and state levels during the period from June 1996 to June 1998. Legislation and judicial decisions are presented topically. Certain issues, such as public participation and environmental justice, are playing an increasing role and will likely impact all media.


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Henry R. Pollard V. Jan 1996

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Henry R. Pollard V.

University of Richmond Law Review

Federal and Virginia courts and legislatures acted on a wide variety of environmental issues and topics in the June 1995 to June 1996 period. This article reviews the key environmental developments at the federal and state level from that period involving air, water, waste, Superfund, wetlands, and environmentally related constitutional, land use, and property tort law.


"Brownfields Of Dreams?": Challenges And Limits Of Voluntary Cleanup Programs And Incentives, Joel B. Eisen Jan 1996

"Brownfields Of Dreams?": Challenges And Limits Of Voluntary Cleanup Programs And Incentives, Joel B. Eisen

Law Faculty Publications

As one of the most important current topics in environmental law, the redevelopment of abandoned or underutilized urban properties, better known as brownfields, continues to generate much discussion and debate. Because most agree that abandoned sites located in aging areas and the accompanying exodus of industry to the suburbs are undesirable, the federal government and many state governments have created programs to encourage the redevelopment of these industrial properties. But often overlooked by the advocates of such programs are the difficult political, scientific, and moral questions associated with redevelopment. In this insightful article, Professor Eisen provides the most comprehensive discussion …


Using Experience To Improve Superfund Remedy Selection, Robert H. Abrams Jan 1995

Using Experience To Improve Superfund Remedy Selection, Robert H. Abrams

University of Richmond Law Review

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Cleanup, and Liability Act (CERCLA, a.k.a. "Superfund")' has earned its share of criticism, most volubly for the expense and unfairness of its cost allocation scheme, but also for its remedy selection process. In deciding how to remediate sites, CERCLA employs a lengthy formal process that, on average, takes over eight years from site awareness to the selection of a remedy. Less damningly, perhaps, only the last fifty-eight months of that time elapses after the site is scored as one serious enough to be placed on the National Priorities List as a site eligible to receive Superfund …


Facing A Time Of Counter-Revolution-- The Kepone Incident And A Review Of First Principles, Zygmunt J.B. Plater Jan 1995

Facing A Time Of Counter-Revolution-- The Kepone Incident And A Review Of First Principles, Zygmunt J.B. Plater

University of Richmond Law Review

The Kepone contamination episode of 1966-75 was a milestone that focused an entire nation's attention on environmental hazards and our need to do better in recognizing and avoiding them. We have learned a great deal from that unfortunate story. The evolution of American environmental law since the Kepone debacle has repeatedly used the incident as a touchstone in identifying environmental pollution's causes, effects, and potential solutions.


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Brian L. Buniva, James R. Kibler Jr. Jan 1995

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Brian L. Buniva, James R. Kibler Jr.

University of Richmond Law Review

Since publication of the 1994 Annual Survey of Virginia Law' several significant judicial decisions, state statutes and state regulatory initiatives have demonstrated the increasing nexus between federal and Virginia environmental law. The federal and state courts have helped define the interrelationships between environmental law, tort law, land use law, and procedural/jurisdictional issues related to environmental law.


Changes In The Clean Water Act Since Kepone: Would They Have Made A Difference?, Wiliam Goldfarb Jan 1995

Changes In The Clean Water Act Since Kepone: Would They Have Made A Difference?, Wiliam Goldfarb

University of Richmond Law Review

In the anti-regulatory climate that currently pervades the American political scene, it is important to emphasize the palpable and significant accomplishments of environmental regulation. One measure of the success of environmental law during the past twenty-five years is that long-term, relatively localized environmental contamination-such as the pollution of the lower James River by Kepone between 1966 and 1975-probably can no longer occur in the United States. Major environmental statutes, enacted during the decade between 1976 and 1986, have precluded continuing environmental abuses of this scope and magnitude. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, establishes a compre- …


From Kepone To Exxon Valdez Oil And Beyond: An Overview Of Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Danielle Marie Stager Jan 1995

From Kepone To Exxon Valdez Oil And Beyond: An Overview Of Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Danielle Marie Stager

University of Richmond Law Review

In July 1975, officials from the Virginia State Department of Health learned that employees of the Life Science Product Company ("Life Science"), in Hopewell, Virginia, had been poisoned by a toxic chemical known as Kepone. Life Science had produced Kepone under contract for Allied Chemical Corporation ("Allied Chemical"), the original developer and manufacturer. Shortly thereafter, state officials discovered that both Life Science and Allied Chemical had unlawfully discharged Kepone into freshwater tributaries of the James River. In addition to poisoning their own employees, Life Science and Allied Chemical had also contaminated Virginia's atmosphere, soil, and wa- terways with Kepone.


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Brian L. Buniva, James R. Kibler Jr. Jan 1994

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Brian L. Buniva, James R. Kibler Jr.

University of Richmond Law Review

This article addresses selected developments in environmental law occurring between the publication of the 1992 Annual Survey of Virginia Law1 and June 24, 1994. Due to significant federal litigation since publication of the 1992 Survey, this article places primary emphasis on those developments which most significantly affect potential liabilities under state and federal environmental laws. This article addresses developments in the federal and state legislative and regulatory schemes, and case law from Virginia state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, the United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia and …


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, James E. Ryan Jr. Jan 1990

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, James E. Ryan Jr.

University of Richmond Law Review

This article addresses significant developments in Virginia law pertaining to air and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and environmentally sensitive areas which have occurred between the publication of last year's survey and August 1, 1990.


Environmental Liens And Title Insurance, Robert S. Bozarth Jan 1989

Environmental Liens And Title Insurance, Robert S. Bozarth

University of Richmond Law Review

Increased concern for the environment and environmental protection laws have affected title insurance. To understand this effect, it is necessary to examine our environmental problems, the environmental laws and the nature of title insurance. This article also looks at the title insurance industry's reaction to these environmental risks as compared to the reaction of the property/casualty insurance industry.


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Theodore R. Kingsley Jan 1989

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law, Theodore R. Kingsley

University of Richmond Law Review

This article addresses significant developments in Virginia law pertaining to air and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and pesticide regulation which have occurred between the publication of last year's survey and August 1, 1989. Not considered herein are the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations promulgated by the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board.


Environmental Liability In Real Property Transactions, Timothy G. Hayes, William J. Dinkin Jan 1989

Environmental Liability In Real Property Transactions, Timothy G. Hayes, William J. Dinkin

University of Richmond Law Review

In recent years, the scope of environmental liability has broadened considerably. Cleanup costs are no longer solely the concern of those directly engaged in the generation and disposal of hazardous wastes. Federal and state environmental statutes now create potential liability for parties to a variety of seemingly innocent transactions. Purchasers of contaminated property may be required to pay for hazardous waste cleanup. Corporate entities may also face environmental liability through mergers, consolidations and asset acquisitions. In addition, lenders may risk liability or impairment of collateral when contaminated property is used to secure a loan.


Liabilities Of The Innocent Current Owner Of Toxic Property Under Cercla, Diana L. Mcdavid Jan 1989

Liabilities Of The Innocent Current Owner Of Toxic Property Under Cercla, Diana L. Mcdavid

University of Richmond Law Review

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA") was enacted to facilitate prompt cleanup of property contaminated by hazardous wastes. CERCLA seeks to accomplish its goal in part by placing the financial burden of cleanup on those parties who are responsible for the problem and who benefited from the hazardous waste activity. Because environmental cleanup is a national priority and the cost of cleaning up toxic waste sites is staggering, the scope of liability under CERCLA is broad. A clean environment is a laudable goal and compelling responsible parties to bear the cost of cleanup is fair, …


Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law Jan 1988

Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Environmental Law

University of Richmond Law Review

In the past two years Virginia has seen significant legislative changes in its laws protecting public health and the environment. This article addresses not only those changes, but also the implementation of these laws by the responsible state agencies and the court cases construing those laws.


Federal And State Remedies To Clean Up Hazardous Waste Sites, Janis L. Kirkland, James A. Thornhill Jan 1986

Federal And State Remedies To Clean Up Hazardous Waste Sites, Janis L. Kirkland, James A. Thornhill

University of Richmond Law Review

Over fifty-seven million metric tons of hazardous waste are produced as a by-product of manufacturing in the United States each year. Only ten percent of this waste is disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The improper disposal of hazardous waste has given rise to crisis areas of national notoriety such as "Love Canal" and "Valley of the Drums." Although the danger to public health and the environment cannot be precisely calculated, the disposal of hazardous waste presents a problem that can no longer be ignored. Virginia's own experience with kepone contamination in the James River exemplifies the dangers and …