Robert N. Steinwurtzel

Experience

• Represented multiple landowners in the defense and settlement of a lawsuit filed by EPA seeking injunctive relief and penalties arising under the Clean Water Act for the alleged illegal discharge of dredged and fill material into approximately 95 acres of wetlands. As part of the settlement, negotiated a Scope of Work comprised of approximately 100 pages to restore, mitigate and preserve wetlands owned and controlled by the clients. Negotiated the payment of a significantly reduced penalty to be paid by the clients over a period of time.
• Represented energy services company in administrative litigation against the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) relating to a request to close process waste water ponds that serviced the company’s manufacturing plant. Client attempted to comply and proceed with in-situ closure plan, but ADEQ refused to approve in-place closure, contending that implementation of closure plan without a solid waste permit would violate state law. Client filed a petition to compel ADEQ to approve closure plan. Client successfully defended multiple substantive and evidentiary motions filed by ADEQ. ADEQ subsequently agreed in a settlement to approve in-place closure of ponds without requiring a permit.
• Represented lead recycling organization against lawsuit brought by environmental organizations seeking to ban lead ammunition under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as lead produced by members of the organization is sold for use in products such as lead bullets and shot. Client argued that lawsuit was barred by the statute of limitations. Lawsuit was dismissed in a ruling from the bench after oral argument.
• Represented lead recycling organization in filing an administrative petition for reconsideration concerning EPA's revisions to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Secondary Lead Smelting Industry promulgated pursuant to the Clean Air Act. EPA granted the petition.
• Represented a group of potentially responsible parties required to clean-up a site in Alabama in connection with a ground water remedy that could cost millions of dollars. Negotiated new water remedy that would be more cost-effective for client.  EPA amended the Record of Decision to implement the new remedy.
• Represented potentially responsible parties in connection with the clean-up related to a contaminated site. Negotiated with Department of Justice and EPA to craft and execute settlement agreement that would obligate companies to perform work. Structured agreement with government to support and coordinate litigation filed by the private parties against recalcitrant parties who declined to voluntarily clean-up the site which resulted in the recovery of funds.
• Negotiated the issuance of the first permanent variance from a health standard before OSHA.

Community

• Franklin and Marshall College
  • Established Steinwurtzel Legal Fellowship in 2013
  • Board of Trustees

• Anti-Defamation League: Governing Board Member 
• World Wildlife Fund
  • Species Leadership Committee Member
  • National Council Member
• National Geographic Society
  • Grovesnor Council Member
  • Established sea turtle conservation grant program (2010)
• Established land/freshwater turtle grant program with Turtle Conservation Fund (2012)