Environmental Law

Puerto Rico Environmental Law Attorney

Attorneys of GAC's Environmental Practice Group have extensive experience with all related administrative laws and provide local, national and international clients with counsel and assistance on environmental federal and Puerto Rico statutory and regulatory requirements.

Administrative Practice

The Group's practice includes appear­ances before the U.S. Environmental Protec­tion Agency (USEPA), both at its Caribbean Environ­mental Protection Division based in San Juan, and at the regional level before the USEPA–Region II in New York and at national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Likewise, The Environmental Practice Group locally engages the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) at the central and regional offices’ level, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), the Solid Waste Authority (SWA), among others. In addition, the attorneys work on a regular basis with officials of other local and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Transporta­tion and the Food and Drug Administration.

Members of the Environmental Law Practice Group have been instrumental in the drafting and promul­gation of Puerto Rico’s environ­mental policy and regulations, providing com­ments, proposing amendments and submit­ting draft legislation for consideration by the appropriate agencies, in furtherance of our clients’ best interests.

Permitting 

Our Attorneys represent clients in the environmental permitting and registration of activities, processes and operations subject to media-specific federal programs such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substance Control Act, Oil Pollution Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, among others. In addition, our Group members have significant experience assisting clients in the preparation and review of permit applications and the negotiation of numerous environmental permits, including permit terms and conditions, at the local level.

The Environmental Law Practice Group's attorneys represent clients before the P.R. appellates Court, where judicial review of permits, licenses and other decisions made by local administrative agencies are heard. Like­wise, they appear in federal court to participate in citizens’ suits, agency enforcement actions and general environmental litigation, as well as to request review of permits issued by the EPA. Moreover, the attorneys, in conjunction with attorneys of the Firm’s Litigation Department, handle defense of requests to enforce compliance with environmental statutes and regulations.

Liability Assessment and Negotiations

GAC’s Environmental Practice Group attor­neys identify and analyze potential environmental liabilities associated with clients’ operations, real estate or other potentially pollution-sensitive areas. They also negotiate agreements and settlements with federal and Puerto Rico environmental agencies on enforcement matters and cleanup liability exposure and assist other Depart­ments of the Firm in matters related to mergers, acquisitions and refinancing efforts by reviewing transactions to identify potential environmental liabilities, minimize the prospects of litigation and ensure compliance with applicable environmental statutes.

Auditing and rendering legal opinions

Our attorneys also assist clients in performing or coordinating environmental compliance audits and designing, instituting or improving corporate environmental compliance programs. We also provide advice on the self-disclosure efforts established pursuant to the EPA’s Self Policing Policy, Supplemental Environmental Projects Policy and the Small Business Compliance Policy.

Members of the firm appear on behalf of clients before federal and Puerto Rico courts, government agencies, and in domestic and foreign transactions. GAC's offices are in the American International Plaza Building in the heart of Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico's financial district. If you would like to speak with a member of the firm or have any other question, please contact the firm to arrange a consultation with an attorney with the appropriate experience.