In this issueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, October 2002This month's newsletter covers current developments in the courts, in Congress and in the Illinois Statehouse.
2002 Illinois Environmental ConferenceYoung Lawyers Division, August 2002Whether your practice requires knowledge of environmental regulations, or you just want to learn more about the ecological system in which we live, the 2002 Illinois Environmental Conference has what you're looking for.
In This IssueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2002As many attorneys in Illinois know, practicing in the area of environmental law means handling matters before the Pollution Control Board.
An overview of the Illinois Pollution Control BoardBy Elaine AgnewEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2002The Illinois Pollution Control Board was given the duties of determining, defining, and implementing the environmental control standards applicable in the State of Illinois and adopting rules and regulations in accordance with Title VII of the Environmental Protection Act by the Illinois General Assembly through the adoption of the Environmental Protection Act in 1970.
A chip off the ole’ block—a comparative analysis of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and CERCLABy Matthew J. CozziEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2002Many landowners, former owners, prospective purchasers and operators of potentially contaminated property in Illinois tread lightly (or, perhaps, should) in fear of liability under the broad umbrella of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act , commonly known as CERCLA.
Practice tip: lead and toxic release inventory reportingEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2002If a company you represent is required to submit a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory ("TRI") Form, also known as "Form R", check the recently lowered threshold for reporting lead.
Shifting responsibility under the new antidegradation ruleBy Margaret P. HowardEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2002On February 21, 2002 the Illinois Pollution Control Board ("Board") adopted amendments to its "nondegradation" rule found at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.105.
First District pulls the “continuing trigger” on vertical exhaustion of pollution insurance coverageBy Phillip R. Van NessEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2002In a somewhat strangely crafted opinion involving a case over which "difficulty of proof hovers ... like a dark cloud," an Illinois appellate court has apparently put to rest the concept of "Vertical Exhaustion" of insurance coverage for ongoing environmental damages.
In this issueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2002This month's newsletter covers environmental issues ranging from leaves to LUSTs.
Retooling the federal NSR programBy Steven M. SirosEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2002For many companies, especially those contemplating facility upgrades or facility modifications which affect air emissions, the federal New Source Review ("NSR") program is often viewed as an insurmountable hurdle that can stop a project in its tracks.
Does size matter in Illinois—The fallacy of the permit exemptionBy Kevin B. HynesEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2001What, you ask, does "size matter in Illinois" mean? Well, you'll ask yourself the same question when the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ("IEPA") tells you that your on-site disposal operation is too big and requires a permit--even though the Illinois Environmental Protection Act ("Act") allows on-site disposal without a permit.
In this issueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2001This month's newsletter covers a few environmental issues and the topic of unauthorized practice of law.
Seventh Circuit rejects USEPA access/remediation orderBy Charles J. NorthrupEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2001In an interesting opinion that has garnered significant national attention, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has rejected the United States Environmental Protection's Agency ("USEPA") attempt to obtain a dual access and remediation order pursuant to section 104(e)(5) of CERCLA.
Total maximum daily loads: rolling right alongBy Margaret P. HowardEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2001On July 16, 2001, USEPA Administrator Christie Whitman called for further review of a newly adopted federal TMDL rule, published July 13, 2000.
Unauthorized practice of law and in-house counselBy Michael Todd ScottEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2001There has been a lot of discussion lately on unauthorized practice of law (UPL) by in-house counsel.
In this issueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2001This issue of the Environmental Law Section Council's newsletter features articles that address several water issues of which practitioners should be aware.
Supreme Court finds “Migratory Bird Rule” exceeds authority of the Federal Clean Water ActBy Chuck GunnarsonEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2001On January 9, 2001 the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion addressing a controversial rule used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps") to regulate the use of certain types of wetlands for nearly fifteen years.
Total maximum daily loads: a roadmap for water qualityBy Ivan J. Lieben & Craig A. MelodiaEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2001The goal of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, later renamed the Clean Water Act (CWA), is to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters."
Total maximum daily loads: Destination IllinoisBy Margaret P. HowardEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2001This article briefly discusses the impaired waters found in Illinois, the causes of those impairments, and the Illinois EPA's options for achieving the TMDLs that are presently being developed.
Environmental insurance rescues the “lawsuit from hell”By Frederick S. MuellerEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2001Following passage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) in 1980, a prospective buyer (Buyer) of industrial property may have retained an environmental consulting firm to perform a "due diligence" investigation at the seller's (Seller) property.
First District panel agrees: sometimes, less (costs) moreBy Phillip R. Van NessEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2001A recent opinion of the First District Appellate Court (Second Division) confirms that where contract law and environmental law combine, minimalist environmental remedies purchased at the cost of protracted delay may be disfavored.
In this issueEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2001This issue starts with additional information from the chair of the Environmental Law Section Council, Diana Jagiella, about the 2001 Illinois Environmental Conference, to be held in Chicago on September, 21 & 22--mark your calendars!
The Northern District rejects a private right of action under the Illinois Environmental Protection ActBy Diana M. JagiellaEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2001Based on a recent decision by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Plaintiffs may no longer bring pendant state claims under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act ("Act"), 415 ILCS 5/1 et seq., in federal actions.
Third District panel gets the last wordBy Phillip R. Van NessEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2001In an otherwise unremarkable decision, the Third District Appellate Court has held that last-minute public comments by a landfill siting applicant and a biased staff in the employ of the final siting authority do not render the siting proceedings fundamentally unfair.