“Water, Water Every Where, Nor Any Drop to Drink”
That was the lament of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, but it is also sometimes the lament of owners of waterfront and water view property. Saltwater Infiltration Recently I was…
Zoning the Oceans
I am pleased and proud that the American Bar Association has just published my book, “Zoning the Oceans The Next Big Step in Coastal Zone Management”. And at approximately 300…
When Buying Real Estate in Rhode Island, Absolutely Beware of Wetlands
Many property owners can innocently violate wetlands laws without even knowing they are doing it, and the penalties for doing so can be more than the cost of the property…
Are Property Owners Liable for an Oil Release on Their Property Even if it Occurred Before They Owned the Property?
Rhode Island’s penchant for strict liability for releases of environmental contaminants appears to be getting even stricter. A recent Superior Court decision just held that a property owner who owned…
What’s the Buzz in Real Estate and Environmental Law
Getting the Right Information. I was recently reminded—more about that later—of questions I have received from younger lawyers about the best way to stay current on developments, legal and…
Cesspools: Phasing In the Phase Out
In the best of times, it’s hard to find anyone saying anything good about cesspools. And this is hardly the best of times for cesspools. Not Much Good To Say…
Gasoline Station Owners and Buyers – Here’s a Brain Teaser For You
If you think owning or buying a gasoline service station is easy, think again. Consider this conundrum. You are projecting capital expenses and you know that your single-walled tanks must…