Environmental Law, Water Law & Land Use

Environmental law, water law and land use management comprise an important part of the Vogel Law Firm‘s practice. Our attorneys counsel and represent clients on regulatory compliance issues, cost recovery and allocation actions, as well as litigating environmental tort, pollution and water law claims. Our experienced lawyers represent nearly all parties and sides involved in environmental, water and land use disputes, including political subdivisions, farmers, landowners, purchasers and sellers, private businesses, and public interest groups. Vogel Law Firm‘s environmental and water law practice covers a large breadth of substantive areas.

Contamination And Cleanup

We counsel clients with respect to Phase I and Phase II analyses of contaminated property, as well as assisting property owners, buyers and sellers through the MPCA Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Program and Voluntary Petroleum Investigation and Cleanup (VPIC) Program. We provide representation related to NEPA and Environmental Impact Statements, notices of violations with the North Dakota State Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, superfund cost recovery and actions to allocate financial responsibility, and solid and hazardous waste management issues, including EPA, FAA and OSHA administrative matters.

Environmental Litigation

We represent clients in environmental tort litigation, including claims arising from lead paint, oil and produced water spills, mold, asbestos, chemical spills, landfills and pipeline leaks, underground and aboveground storage tanks leaks. We also assist clients seeking insurance recovery for environmental cleanup costs, property damage and bodily injury claims.

Regulatory Compliance

We advise clients on compliance with state and federal air, water and hazardous materials laws and permitting requirements, including laws and regulations applicable to agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, animal feedlots, oil and gas exploration, and oil field services. We also represent clients regarding claimed violations of state and federal air, water and hazardous materials laws and regulations.

Water Rights

We counsel clients involved in local, national and international water rights disputes. We are routinely called upon to represent landowners involved in flooding, drainage and dike disputes and litigation, and to represent political subdivisions engaged in water rights, water supply and flood protection planning and development.

Land Use

We represent private and government development interests in condemnation, zoning and land use proceedings, including issues related to streets, setbacks, flood protection, drains, easements, airports and utilities.