The Clean Waterways Act: What does it mean for Stormwater Regulations in Florida?
The Clean Waterways Act is another step in the fight to ensure the protection and improvement of Florida’s water quality. Based on the changes to stormwater regulations (and an increased emphasis on clean waterways), closer enforcement is expected. Read More...
EPA Publishes New PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidelines to Fight “Forever Chemicals”
Since the 1940s, PFAS chemicals (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances) have been used in dozens of industrial and commercial applications, ranging from fire-fighting foams to non-stick and waterproof coatings. However, in recent years, the public health risks of PFAS have become more widely known—and for good reason. PFAS chemicals are highly mobile, can accumulate in our… Read More...
Do you have a Storage Tank capacity of 1,320 U.S. gallons or greater? If so, you need a plan.
A SPCC plan is a valuable precaution that can protect you from regulatory violations and prepare the facility should a spill occur. Read More...
The Dangers of What You Don’t See: Phase I “Non-Scope” Considerations and Environmental Due Diligence
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are considered the gold standard for environmental due diligence by lenders, investors, real estate brokers, and prospective purchases during commercial real estate transactions. But the purpose of a Phase I ESA is defined as “good commercial and customary practice in the USA for conducting an environmental site assessment of… Read More...
What’s Ahead for This Legislative Session? Water.
Florida’s Legislative session will reconvene on March 2 through April 30, 2021. This year’s focus for environmental topics include clean energy, land conservation, population growth, water quality and quantity, plus budget issues, to name just a few. Based on several reports, approximately 900 people are moving to Florida every day. This volume of population growth… Read More...
ASTM Environmental Standards Undergoing Changes This Year
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E50 task group is preparing an update to the E1527 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Process which is due by the end of 2021. This standard, which provides the framework on which to conduct a Phase I ESA, was last… Read More...
New or old petroleum discharge? How do you know?
Many petroleum discharges raise immediate questions about the source and age of the contamination. Answering those questions often calls for forensic investigation. Environmental Risk Management (ERMI) uses extensive professional experience as environmental scientists—including our knowledge of the nature, transport, fate, investigation, and remediation of petroleum contamination—in our environmental forensic investigations. ERMI has expert-witness and litigation… Read More...
Reflections on Constancy and Change
Last week’s winter solstice is a pleasant reminder that the earth is still spinning, the sun will continue to warm the waters of this beautiful state, and the 900 people that move here every day will enjoy pleasurable water-quality conditions due to the work of environmental consultants. I’m so proud of our firm…going on 22 years now.… Read More...
Environmental Issues in Southwest Florida Real Estate
When considering an investment in southwest Florida, prospective purchasers should understand the potential environmental issues that could lead to liability. Evidence of environmental impact is not always readily apparent, so a comprehensive study of historical, regulatory, and current site activities should be conducted. Read More...
Site-Specific Strategies to Manage Environmental Risks
All properties are different. There is a diverse bundle of characteristics for each property, and a different set of circumstances for each transaction. Due to these variations, a specific strategy to manage environmental risks should be prepared for each property and real estate transaction. Just as each investor needs a financial plan, each real estate… Read More...