EPA Proposes to Designate “Forever Chemicals” as Hazardous Substances
September 16, 2022
EPA has proposed to designate two polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under CERCLA, also known as the Superfund law.
Maureen S. Bayer
Shareholder
Disclaimer
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OVERVIEW
Combining her experience as an environmental attorney and an environmental consultant, Maureen approaches her practice through a combination of science and law. Maureen uses her specialized background to work with clients facing environmental issues related to regulatory compliance, site contamination, and business transactions. As a seasoned environmental attorney, regulatory specialist, and litigator, clients have confidence in Maureen’s deep understanding of complex environmental challenges and her ability to provide creative solutions for the best possible outcome.
CONTAMINATED PROPERTY
Maureen has experience in the legal and technical aspects of remediating contaminated property and all stages of environmental litigation. She can guide landowners through the appropriate steps when they suspect their property may be contaminated, assist with compliance with all reporting obligations, work with consultants to ensure proper documentation of all investigation and cleanup activities, and help recover costs from responsible parties. Maureen has represented parties from a variety of industries at the largest Superfund sites in the country.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Working with environmental regulators can be intimidating. Whether preparing a client for an inspection, applying for a permit, determining compliance status, or responding to a notice of violation, Maureen works collaboratively with regulators on her clients’ behalf to achieve the best possible outcome. She has experience obtaining stormwater, wastewater, and air emissions permits, negotiating settlements with regulatory agencies and resolving non-compliance issues, and transferring permits to new entities following change in ownership. No matter what issue her clients’ face, Maureen puts her clients’ best interests first and provides practical advice and counseling along the way.
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
When buying or selling a piece of potentially contaminated property, understanding environmental risk is key to avoiding major issues down the road. Maureen works with environmental consultants and transactional attorneys to identify and appropriately shift environmental risk so that her clients can close their business transactions with peace of mind.
Maureen most enjoys practicing law when collaborating with clients, other attorneys, scientists, and regulators to develop innovative solutions to complex environmental issues. When she is not in the office, you’ll find Maureen skiing in the winter, paddleboarding in the summer, and hiking year-round, all of which she enjoys with her two children.
Services
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Vermont Law School, 2007
- Master of Studies Environmental Law, summa cum laude, Vermont Law School, 2007
- B.A., Hampshire College, 2001
Admissions
- State of Oregon
- State of California
Membership and Activities
- Northwest Environmental Business Council
- Multnomah Bar Association (2021–present)
- Oregon Women Lawyers Association (2021–present)
- Association for Corporate Growth (2019–2021)
- National Cannabis Industry Association (2019–2021)
- Railway Tie Association (2018–2021)
- National Wood Protection Association (2018–2021)
- International Council of Shopping Centers (2015–2016)
- Contra Costa Bar Association (2008–2015)
- Bar Association of San Francisco (2007–2015)
Presentations
- Moderator, “Using Environmental Due Diligence Strategically,” Northwest Environmental Business Counsel, Business & The Environment Conference, 2021, Portland, Oregon
- Panel Member, “Compliance, Risk Management, Due Diligence & Distressed Assets in the Cannabis Space,” FTI Consulting webinar, August 20, 2020
- “Inspections of Petroleum Storage Tanks to Meet SPCC Requirements,” American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Technical Committee Meeting, 2019, Anchorage, Alaska
- “Strategies for Approaching EH&S Compliance with Limited Resources and Tools,” Railway Tie Association Annual Meeting, 2019, Tucson, Arizona
- “Understanding the Risks of Stormwater Benchmarks Becoming Regulatory Standards,” Railway Tie Association Annual Meeting, 2018, Bonita Springs, Florida
- “Strategies for Cost Effective Stormwater Regulatory Compliance” National Wood Protection Association Annual Meeting, 2018, Seattle, WA
RESOURCES
Defining the “Waters of the United States” is a Twisting Tributary of Change
August 29, 2022
The “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) seems simple enough to define. Yet the definition of WOTUS has expanded and contracted at least three times in the past seven years alone, with each new administration putting a new tributary-like twist on it.
EPA Seeks to Overhaul Clean Water Act 401 Certification Rule
August 8, 2022
On June 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator signed a proposed rule to change the Clean Water Act’s section 401 certification process.
