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Experts to discuss harmful waste’s effects at NE Florida Environmental Summit co-sponsored by JU

The 18th annual Northeast Florida Environmental Summit focuses on the impact of pollutants with a distinguished lineup of environmental and legal experts.

The event on Friday, Feb. 24, is co-sponsored by Jacksonville University with Florida Coastal School of Law, and is themed “Protecting Communities from Harm: The Economic and Environmental Implications of Managing Harmful Waste.” It is free, but attendees must register in advance.

“This year’s topic grew out of students’ concerns about the effects of what are largely unseen pollutants and their consequences to our economy, plus a realization that there are environmental implications of how we manage our harmful waste,” said Dr. Quinton White, Executive Director of JU’s Marine Science Research Institute. “This year’s symposium continues a tradition with FCSL and JU taking an in-depth look at an environmental topic of great concern but not always in the news.”

According to the event’s web page: “The improper management of hazardous waste may result in the release of dangerous chemicals that pose significant risks to human health and the environment. In response to a growing national concern about the release of hazardous substances from abandoned waste sites, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Act’s unique tort-like, liability-based regulatory approach raises many challenging issues related to state and federal authority to clean up waste sites, public and private enforcement actions, public health, and the redevelopment and reuse of contaminated property. The Environmental Summit will examines these and other important issues.”

Alfred R. Light, Professor of Law and Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Sustainability at St. Thomas University School of Law, will give an opening address, with Robert Percival, the Robert F. Stanton Professor of Law and Director of the Environmental Law Program at the University of Maryland School of Law, giving a keynote. The symposium was organized by Professor of Law Eric Hull at Florida Coastal School of Law.

Other featured speakers are:

Quinton White, Professor of Marine Science, Executive Director, JU Marine Science Research Institute

Joel A. Mintz, Professor of Law, Nova Southeastern University College of Law

Rachel E. Deming, Director, Environmental and Earth Law Clinic, Barry University School of Law

Jim Maher, Assistant Director, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, N.E. District

Kristina Nelson, Attorney, Finger, Nelson and McGuire

Darrin A. McKeehen, Brownfields Coordinator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, N.E. District

Charles (Trey) F. Mills Attorney, Rogers Towers

Pamela Fellabaum, Hazardous Waste Subject Matter Expert, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, N.E. District

Nadia B. Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Law, Barry University School of Law

Patrick W. Krechowski, Of Counsel, Gray Robinson

Tim McKinney, Executive Vice President & CEO, United Global Outreach Inc.

The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Florida Coastal School of Law, 8787 Baypine Road, Jacksonville, Room 550. To register, click here.