Overview

Our environmental litigation attorneys assist clients with environmental law issues, which often arise within the regulatory arena. This includes the often-cumbersome permitting process required by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); necessary to obtain NPDES permits or surface mining permits. Our lawyers have strong relationships with state personnel, which allows us to get our clients’ operations running quickly and smoothly.

Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC  environmental litigation attorneys frequently represent clients in appeals to the Environmental Quality Board or Surface Mine Board, and to the state Circuit Courts and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, if necessary. Our attorneys have assisted with cessation orders, show cause orders, and notices of violations.

Our attorneys also frequently represent clients in front of the Office of Explosives and Blasting – the office charged with regulating blasting practices for surface mining. Our lawyers handle all administrative issues related to the claims process while our clients continue to work without interruptions or loss of productivity.

In addition, our environmental litigation attorneys assist clients with solid waste site permit approval for solid waste disposal. The firm has experience in this area, including permitting assistance for both Class A and Class B facilities and with public notice and hearing requirements.

We work directly with West Virginia clients to navigate the complex “brownfields” program, created to allow a second life for previously used industrial property. Successful brownfield applicants face a much lower chance of having environmental claims arise in the future and allow our clients to “site” operations in an environmentally friendly area that saves money and reduces risk.

The practice areas in our firm participate in a healthy collaborative work effort. Our environmental litigation attorneys regularly work with our energy and mineral litigation team as well as our regulatory and licensing compliance team on issues in the field of oil and gas, such as shallow gas wells and deep gas wells pool or venting issues.