Schiff Hardin's Environmental Group has extensive experience assisting clients with voluntary remediation projects, including Brownfields redevelopments, of former industrial, commercial, transportation and utility facilities throughout the United States. Whether engaged at an early stage of a remediation or redevelopment project, or after a project had stalled by regulatory or community concerns, we have helped clients accomplish their project objectives. We assist clients by:

• Evaluating remedial strategies
• Negotiating investigation and remedial plans
• Drafting access agreements and restrictive covenants
• Devising and implementing community relations plans

Former Industrial Facilities and Manufactured Gas Plants

We have assisted clients with the de-commissioning, closure and sale of their manufacturing plants throughout the United States. For instance, we have assisted gas utilities with projects involving former manufactured gas plants (MGPs) in nearly a dozen states. Evaluating who is responsible for an MGP site can involve a particularly complex historical analysis. Many MGP sites are located in the middle of residential neighborhoods, adding complexity to the investigation and remediation strategies and heightening the importance of an effective community relations plan. A project that does not run smoothly or for which a community relations plan falls flat can bring much unwanted public scrutiny and criticism. With our expertise at assisting with each stage of a remediation project, we assist our clients with completing projects that are sources of pride for our clients and their communities.

Developers and Brownfields

We have represented a number of Midwest developers in rehabilitating and returning to productive use environmentally-challenged real estate. This includes numerous mixed use real estate development projects ranging in size from very small to dozens of acres. Many projects have been built on property formerly used by industry or transportation companies.  A variety of our projects have included a public component, such as providing housing for low-income families, which involves an added layer of regulatory oversight. From our first review of Phase I environmental assessments through negotiating contracts for purchase with environmental risk shifting clauses, to obtaining no further remediation letters, the Environmental Group is involved in the development of new communities.