Federal, state and local environmental/natural resource laws are complex and involve numerous agencies.
This "alphabet" of laws includes RCRA, CERCLA (Superfund), EPCRA/TSCA, the CWA, the CAA, USTs, the Safe Drinking Water Act, NEPA, OSHA and permitting under 401/404 and NPDES. Our environmental lawyers work with Ice Miller's clients to find efficient and cost-effective ways to comply with all applicable environmental laws.
Ice Miller's environmental lawyers understand the nuances of these complex regulations, and we work proactively with federal and state agencies on behalf of our clients to resolve ambiguities in the law and the manner in which the law applies to our clients' unique circumstances. Whenever possible, we seek an early and efficient resolution of disputes. However, when that is not possible, we vigorously defend our clients' rights in response to actions brought by environmental regulators.
Ice Miller's environmental lawyers have extensive experience working with our clients' technical teams to review required plans and permits. Our attorneys have a broad regulatory background and several members of our team are "go to" attorneys in discrete regulatory areas, such as air, water, wetlands and surface mining. We work as a team to bring the breadth and depth of experience to bear whenever, and wherever, it is needed by our firm's clients.
Some of our clients have little or no experience with environmental/natural resources issues, and those clients call upon us to assist with basic issues such as an environmental audits and determining whether a spill is reportable. Other clients have a great deal of environmental experience and seek our advice on more complex, unusual issues, such as whether an engine is "modified" or "existing" under EPA's air regulations. Some of the unique areas in which our environmental regulatory attorneys have experience include:
- Alcohol permitting for both fuel producers and breweries.
- Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation regulated by the Federal Highway Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the U.S. Customs Bureau
- Surface Mining Control & Reformation Act (SMCRA)
- Construction in a Floodway