Environmental Practice Group

The Environmental Practice Group has extensive experience in the practice of environmental and administrative law in Maine.

In addition to the detailed, analytical advice and guidance that all clients should expect from their attorneys, we excel at creating and leveraging positive professional relationships with state and municipal officials, consultants, engineers, and scientists to assure the best possible result for our clients.

Services Provided

We guide corporate, individual, governmental, and non-profit clients through the VRAP process, state and local environmental permitting, compliance matters, state and local administrative appeals, and enforcement actions. Using our in-depth knowledge of the law and our strong working relationships with regulatory agencies, we assist clients with obtaining permits and approvals from the Maine DEP (such as under the Maine Site Location of Development law, the Maine Solid Waste and Septage Act, the Maine Natural Resources Protection Act ("NRPA"), and the Maine Stormwater Law), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Land Use Regulation Commission, the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, the State Planning Office, and the Maine Department of Transportation.

Much of our work involves evaluating and minimizing our clients' environmental risks as they pursue and complete real estate and business transactions that involve the transfer of contaminated or potentially contaminated properties. We regularly advise clients of their potential liabilities under all federal environmental laws, including CERCLA ("Superfund"), RCRA, TSCA and the Clean Water Act, including federal point source discharge laws, and their Maine counterparts, included the Maine Uncontrolled Sites Law, the Maine Oil Pollution Liability Act, the Maine hazardous waste laws, and MPDES.

It is our specialized knowledge of environmental law, coupled with our commitment to personal service, efficiency, and relationship-building that makes us unique and powerful representatives for our clients. The Environmental Practice Group also handles matters relating to renewable energy, endangered specifies and water quality.

Hope Creal Jacobsen chairs the Environmental Practice Group, whose members also include Jim Katsiaficas, David McConnell, and Sara Moppin.

Representative Matters:

• Successfully worked towards the defeat of L.D. 78 on behalf of a scrap yard client. The legislation would have prohibited any scrap yard facility from locating within 1000 feet of any waterbody in the state of Maine.
• Represented the Maine Municipal Association in drafting a sample post-construction stormwater regulation ordinance for use by twenty-eight Maine cities and towns affected by the Clean Water Act.