In its January 8, 2013 decision in Los Angeles County Flood Control District v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (Docket No. 11-460), the Supreme Court reversed the 9th Circuit and declared that the flow of water from an improved portion of a navigable waterway...
Blog
Brian D. Langa Again Identified as a Super Lawyers Rising Star
For the fifth year in a row, Demetriou, Del Guercio, Springer & Francis, LLP’s Brian D. Langa has been identified by Super Lawyers magazine as a Rising Star. Mr. Langa was named a rising star in the field of environmental law in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and...
Partner Michael Francis Quoted in the Latest Edition of EDR Insider
As noted by DDSF Partner Michael Francis, “Too often I see property owners/buyers/lenders that follow a “checklist mentality” in selecting their Phase I assessment environmental professional and then learn, in some instances after they own the property, that a serious...
Supreme Court Allows Pre-Enforcement Review of EPA Clean Water Act Orders
In the March 21, 2012 decision of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Docket No. 10-1062), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a landowner may bring a civil action against the EPA to challenge a compliance order, even if the EPA has not yet brought an...
Arrested Redevelopment
On December 29, 2011, the California Supreme Court dealt a severe blow to California cities in a decision not only eliminating redevelopment agencies, but also striking down compromise legislation that would have allowed the continuance of redevelopment agencies,...
EPA Region 9 Issues Updated Screening Levels
In November 2011, Region 9 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued updated Regional Screening Levels (“RSL”) (or Preliminary Remediation Goals) to harmonize with similar risk-based screening levels used by Regions 3 and 6. The new RSLs are...
Firm Wins $4 Million Verdict Against Caltrans
On September 12, 2011, Jed Springer and John Mackel won a jury verdict in the amount of $4,005,795.90 against Caltrans on behalf of RockTenn CP, LLC, an owner of property along the I-5 Freeway. Caltrans sought to acquire a portion of the property along the frontage...
FTC to Host Free Webinar on the Revised Green Guides
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a free webinar on Thursday, March 17, 2011 on the revised Green Guides. The webinar will feature James Kohm, Associate Director for the Enforcement Division of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. It will start at 11 am...
Understanding the CPSIA’s Permanent Tracking Label Requirement
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires manufacturers to place distinguishing permanent marks on all children’s products to the extent practicable. Specifically, CPSIA § 103 requires children’s products and packaging to have distinguishing marks...