3 Reasons You May Need An Environmental Lawyer As A Business Owner
Building a functional business is an arduous process that involves a lot of things, and legal issues can always be one of those things. If you have a large industrial operation, one of the legal woes that can come up is with environmental regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Here is a look at when you may need the help of an environmental law practice as a business owner.
Something about your operation will affect the quality of the local soil
Even though the soil is often not given as much attention as water when it comes to threats to the environment, soil quality can be a major factor in environmental health. If there is something about your business operation that could affect the quality of the local soil, it is critical that you work with an environmental law practice for guidance right from the start. If you do not and your business ends up adding contaminants to the soil that are later found to be an issue, you could face steep monetary penalties or even the loss of your business.
You want to expand your building to a plot of land that has environmental restrictions
It is not uncommon for a business to have to expand to make room for more equipment or storage, but sometimes, gaining access to adjoining land can be a major challenge. If you have plans to expand your business building but the only way to do so is to build upon land that has environmental restrictions, an environmental attorney may be able to help you. Even though there definitely are situations when nothing can be done, if there is any chance of getting to build on this kind of property, you will have to have an attorney who can help.
Your company will be using a lot of natural water resources to operate
Consumption of a lot of natural water can be a huge environmental concern, and doing so can result in penalties from the EPA if you do not have prior authorization or clearance to use what you need. It is always best if you consult an environmental lawyer before you start consuming local water from a natural source, whether it is a well you've had drilled, a local river, or the ocean. The lawyer can help you file the necessary paperwork and make sure you do not run into any legal woes in the process.