Webinar – PFAS Impacts on CRE: Practical Tips for Navigating Environmental Due Diligence
Join us for a free webinar with a panel of experts.
For parties involved in commercial real estate transactions, the presence of PFAS on a property can be a game changer. Therefore, during environmental due diligence, it’s critical to consider if PFAS may be a concern for the site. During this webinar, our expert panelists will share insights and tips for addressing PFAS-related risks at potentially impacted properties. Discussion items include:
- Evolving regulatory approaches and frameworks for addressing PFAS contamination, including EPA’s recent proposal to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Best practices and industry standards for incorporating PFAS into the environmental site assessment process, including how ASTM’s Phase I standard addresses PFAS
- Considerations for Phase Is and Phase IIs when PFAS risks are identified
- Strategies for managing and mitigating PFAS contamination, including off-site risks
- Transactional risks for PFAS-affected (or potentially affected) properties
- Case studies that illustrate the environmental due diligence process at PFAS-impacted sites
Useful Links:
US EPA – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Federal Register: Designation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC): PFAS
ERIS Webinar February 2022 – Distilling Facts from Fiction: How to Identify and Manage PFAS Risks in Commercial Real Estate Transactions
ERIS Article March 2020 – How to Prepare: New PFAS Rules Coming in 2020
About the Panel
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Elizabeth Mack, Partner, Locke Lord LLP Elizabeth Mack, Chair of the Firm-wide Environmental Section – Real Estate and Corporate and Managing Partner of the Firm’s Dallas office, is a nationally known lawyer with significant experience in brownfield redevelopment, environmental compliance, and environmental litigation. Among other notable recognitions, she was recognized as Lawyer of the Year in Environmental Law in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Elizabeth has a deep understanding of the practical implications associated with environmental issues, combining business savvy with legal, scientific, and technical knowledge. She works on such diverse federal issues as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA, Endangered Species Act, RCRA, TSCA, NEPA, Safe Drinking Water Act, and state voluntary clean-up, corrective action, and enforcement actions across the country. Elizabeth is also a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors. |
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Taryn McKnight, PFAS Practice Leader, Eurofins Environmental Testing (USA) Taryn McKnight, PFAS Practice Leader for Eurofins Environment Testing America based in Sacramento, California, has nearly 20 years of experience in the environmental testing industry specializing in emerging contaminants and pathways of concern with a focus on PFAS and Vapor Intrusion assessments. She is responsible for staying abreast of the latest regulatory and scientific developments specific to PFAS, while collaborating with Eurofins operational leadership to develop services to meet the challenges of today and in the future. Ms. McKnight contributes to multiple organization and agency workgroups to address PFAS challenges, including her current effort as co-chair of the NGWA subcommittee to develop PFAS Sampling and Analysis Guidance. With her expertise she provides technical guidance to clients in setting up programs to achieve their site-specific objectives, and to agencies with understanding their analytical options and data usability considerations. |
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John Sallman, P.G., Assistant Director of Environmental Services / Senior Principal, Terracon John Sallman has been in the environmental consulting industry for over 26 years and is currently a senior principal and Assistant Director of Environmental Services at Terracon. John is a Professional Geologist in Texas and Tennessee. He is active in the ASTM International E50 committee, working on the recent E-1527 standard, which includes PFAS (polyfluoryl alkyl substances), the recent E-1528 standard and was active in the development of the E-2600 Vapor Encroachment standard. John has overseen and managed several PFAS projects, including fire extinguisher manufacturing and testing facilities and airports, and is actively participating in an investigation at a former military base. John’s main areas of expertise include due diligence, site investigation/remediation, and Brownfields redevelopment consulting. |
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Dana Wagner, CHMM, Director of Environmental Due Diligence Services / Senior Principal and Vice President, Terracon Dana Wagner is a Senior Principal and Vice President of the firm. He serves as the Director of Environmental Due Diligence Services and Leads the Financial Legal and Investment Sector of National Accounts. He has 33 years of experience managing thousands of due diligence projects across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as well as experience in Europe and Asia. Dana specializes in transaction-oriented environmental due diligence, particularly for the financial, legal and investment sectors. He has represented buyers and sellers in stock and asset transactions, providing Phase I & II environmental site assessments, regulatory compliance audits, strategic planning for environmental matters, and post-closing site response. Dana advocates for team-oriented, client-focused, and innovative approaches in the due diligence practice. |
About the Moderator:
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Scott Davis, SVP, Industry Engagement, ERIS Scott joined ERIS with the merger of GeoSearch in December, 2020. Scott was a founding partner and the Chief Operating Officer of GeoSearch for over 23 years. Upon his arrival at ERIS, Scott was responsible for the development and implementation of ERIS operational strategies and service processes. As of March 2022, Scott was appointed Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement, to oversee ERIS’ significant activities in the market, engaging with customers, association interests, tradeshows, and developing webinars, podcasts, and promoting industry thought leadership. Additionally, Scott has a significant depth of industry experience including project management, technical support for numerous environmental assessments, feasibility studies, and wetland determinations throughout the United States while working at Carter & Burgess, Maxim Engineering, Huntington and Southwestern Labs. Scott is the treasurer for the Industry Council on the Environment (ICE), founder and board member of the Central Texas Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Vice President of Municipal Utility District 23. |