Getting Permission and/or Planning Remediation
One of the often frustrating hallmarks of environmental laws is the plethora of permits that are required to take almost any action, especially in highly regulated industries or carefully protected areas. At the Fairfax County law firm of Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC, we offer our business clients efficient guidance through all environmental permitting processes — at the county, state and federal level.
We also work with clients who are considering voluntary remediation of an environmental problem to increase access to financing.
Environmental Permits and Brownfields Development
Any time a business makes changes, it should check to see if an environmental permit or review is necessary. An expansion, a change in the landscaping or grading, changes to the number of boilers or smokestacks or waste pipes — all of these common aspects of expansion may require permits from the county environmental office or the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
The risks and costs of doing business without the proper permit are invariably greater than the time and resources required to obtain the correct permits — and our office works efficiently on your behalf, respecting your budget and your bottom line for achieving compliance.
Our lawyers work with Northern Virginia land developers who wish to redevelop so-called "brownfields" projects or LEED qualified projects. This is an area of environmental law where the potential benefits are great for those land developers with the patience — and the right legal counsel — to get through the complex array of permit applications required for such projects. We also advise clients regarding indemnification provisions and environmental insurance policies.
Voluntary Remediation Programs
Sometimes, an environmental spill or leak is not so serious as to catch the government's eye. It may, nonetheless, cause enough worry to a financing bank that the business owner may find his or her access to financing blocked, especially in purchase or sale transaction or in a refinancing application. The bank may demand remediation before financing is granted. The bank and the business may negotiate a voluntary remediation program (VRP) that satisfies financing requirements.
Hale Carlson Baumgartner served as counsel for one of the first VRPs in the state of Virginia. We represent business owners in negotiations with the bank. What level of clean-up does the bank require? What timeline for completion is acceptable? A successful multi-party agreement on a VRP results in a "win" for all participants.
Contact Hale Carlson Baumgartner
Environmental laws are complex enough that we encourage you to contact us directly with specific questions about compliance, enforcement actions, permitting or clean-ups. Our attorneys are always available to provide advice via a telephone or in-person consultation. We offer free 30 minute consultations.
To make a private appointment, call 703-763-0374 or send an e-mail.
