Some industries just "deal with trouble as it comes." They rely on lawyers to get them out of trouble. They learn after-the-fact that some permit was supposed to have been obtained, some report prepared, some document filed, some notice published, some approval sought, or some question answered.
Other industries merely try to "do the minimum." They find out what the law requires and stay close to it by learning the regulations. At least they have an internal mechanism to anticipate and meet applicable standards. If they are accused of violating pollution laws, at least they have the comfort of being able to say they "tried."
The most successful companies "manage for environmental protection." They minimize environmental impacts or eliminate them. They reward environmentally sensitive approaches by employees. They stay ahead of the competition by adopting good ideas before the law requires them. They force the competition to incorporate (as a quick change to present operations) the same controls they adopt at leisure.
The successful industry satisfies the legitimate concerns of regulatory agencies and the public. It monitors changing legal developments. It designs environmental protection into production processes and plant expansions. It turns regulatory homework and environmental headaches into profit-making investments.
In this successful approach, such things as selecting the site, conceiving the project, designing construction, and operating the business all are planned with a realistic view of the constraints posed by public health and natural resource considerations. In other words, no decisions on technical and economic feasibility are made without knowing environmental feasibility.
We can assist showing agencies how your industry is responsive to the public interest as enunciated in statutes and regulations. We can help specify good project features with clear, written communications and detailed explanations. We can help create a project plan illustrating a responsible choice of site, proposed use, consultant team, concept and design, manufacturing technique, and environmental safeguards. At the same time we can help enforce your rights to fair and efficient review and approval.
Environmental law is firmly established and will not go away. It is a mistake to not integrate environmental considerations into industrial operations. Today it makes economic as well as environmental common sense.
