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SPR's broad and deep environmental experience includes extensive work on environmental impact review, sustainable development, and litigation involving cleanup of historic contamination. SPR attorneys are playing a leading role in emerging legal issues surrounding global climate change.
SPR served as environmental counsel in the remediation involved with the construction of the IAC headquarters building, designed by Frank Gehry, in Manhattan.
SPR is counsel to the Queens West Development Corp. in the ongoing cleanup and redevelopment of residential, commercial, and parkland space on the riverfront at Queens West in Long Island City, NY.
SPR represented the New York Yankees in the environmental impact review process and subsequent litigation in the design and construction of the new Yankee Stadium.
Wetlands and water issues are central to many of SPR's core practice areas. SPR attorneys have handled complex stormwater, wetlands, and permitting matters, including issues in the New York City Watershed.
Among SPR's extensive environmental impact review experience is the permitting and review process for the expansion of the United States Tennis Association complex in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
SPR was lead environmental counsel for the Riverside South project, pictured here, on the west side of Manhattan.
For more than 40 years, starting with its involvement in the proceedings on the proposed construction of a power plant on Storm King Mountain, pictured, SPR has been on the cutting edge of environmental law and litigation.

What's New

Jennifer Coghlan Becomes SPR Principal

We are very pleased to announce that Jennifer Coghlan has become an SPR Partner. Jennifer regularly works with landowners, developers, consultants and engineers to successfully guide development projects through environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and New York City's Environmental Quality Review (CEQR). She frequently advises clients with respect to remediation of contaminated sites and brownfield redevelopment, and has litigated claims for recovery of remediation costs under the federal Superfund Law (CERCLA), the federal hazardous waste law (RCRA), and the New York State Navigation Law. Jennifer also has extensive experience in federal, state, and local permitting processes, including those of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Army Corps of Engineers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Office of General Services, the New York State Department of State and the City of New York.

Christopher Amato Joins SPR

We are pleased to announce that Christopher Amato has joined our firm and will be working in our newly opened Albany, NY office. Chris was most recently Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He has practiced environmental law for more than 30 years, both in private practice and in government service. His public service includes having been Deputy Chief of the Environmental Protection Bureau in the New York State Attorney General's Office, Senior Litigator in the Environmental Law Division of the New York City Law Department, and Senior Attorney with the Adirondack Park Agency. In both his private practice and government service, Chris has tried complex litigation, including important hazardous waste matters. Chris has also worked as a biologist for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read More

SPR Principal Elizabeth Knauer Appointed to New York City's Environmental Control Board

The New York City Council recently confirmed Mayor Michael Bloomberg's appointment of SPR Partner Elizabeth Knauer to New York City's Environmental Control Board (ECB). The ECB enforces City laws that protect health, safety and the environment. It has thirteen members. Six are Commissioners of City agencies, and six are citizen members. Four of the six citizen members are selected based on their expertise in water pollution control, business, real estate, and noise. Knauer was appointed as the Board's water pollution control specialist.

Sive, Paget & Riesel

SPR is a leader in the field of environmental law and litigation in New York. The firm has been a pioneer in environmental law for over forty years and continues to be an industry leader in Environmental Law, Commercial and Employment Litigation, Development & Land Use, and Municipal Law.

Whether we are guiding a project sponsor through the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), litigating a Superfund or oil spill action, or counseling a client through a Brownfield redevelopment or permit review, SPR provides experienced leadership and insight to corporate, government, and individual clients.

For the past seven years, SPR has been ranked the #1 Environmental Law Firm in New York by Chambers and Partners and its attorneys are similarly ranked in Who's Who Legal.

Updates

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