Katrina (Rita) Recovery - A series of Quick Teleconferences sponsored by the Section and its Katrina Task Force – Environmental Law Issues and Disaster Response. A volunteer effort to provide expertise and resources to those working to rebuild areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This series has been graciously underwritten, in part, by ConferTel, the Section’s conference call provider so that attorneys in affected areas can participate for FREE. To listen to the Debris and Waste Removal – Immediate Steps teleconference, please click here. (MP3 format, approximately 1hr and 40 minutes long)

First in the Series:
Debris and Waste Removal – Immediate Steps

Program Overview:
Debris, mud, dirty water, waste, leaking tanks & pipelines, sludge…one of the most immediate response and recovery issues is the disposal of this "waste." Rebuilding can’t take place until the "waste" created by Katrina is removed, but how should this occur? Who decides what kind of waste it is and where to put it? When will it get done? Who pays for this work? What about the usual environmental requirements? There are lessons to be learned from 9/11, Hurricane Betsy, and last year’s Florida hurricanes.

A panel of professionals who have experience with these issues as a result of past disasters and first responders to Katrina will discuss practical problems left in Katrina’s wake and answer your questions.

Faculty:

Moderator:
Michael B. Gerrard, Arnold & Porter, New York, NY

Panelists:
Ernie Abbott, former FEMA General Counsel, FEMA Law Associates, PLLC, Washington, DC
Jerry W. Cain, Division Chief Environmental Permitting Division (EPD), Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Jackson, MS
Lisa Jaeger, former EPA General Counsel, Bracewell & Guiliani LLP, Washington, DC
Dr. Harold Leggett, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Compliance, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Baton Rouge, LA

Educational Objectives:

• To provide a forum to identify critical environmental & energy issues;
• To provide a forum to engage Section members to comment, discuss and get involved in the process;
• To provide expertise to the people dealing with the ongoing problems.