ELR Citation: ELR 20161
No(s). CV 83-6319-K (C.D. Cal. Oct 23, 1984)

The court holds that a former owner of a hazardous waste facility may be liable for federal cleanup costs under §107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act without proof of proximate cause of the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Decisions of other courts make clear that both current and present owners of hazardous waste disposal facilities are strictly liable for response costs incurred by the United States in cleaning up a site from which there is a release of hazardous substances.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
Joseph F. Butler, Ass't U.S. Attorney
5-N-19 U.S. Courthouse
940 Front St., San Diego CA 92189
(213) 895-5610

William D. Evans Jr.
Land and Natural Resource Division
Department of Justice, Washington DC 20530
(20) 633-4170

Counsel for Defendants
Alan Zuckerman
Hagenbaugh & Murphy
4th Floor, 3710 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90010
(213) 381-2600

Richard Koep
Hill, Genson, Even, Crandall & Wade
505 Shatto Place, Los Angeles CA 90020
(213) 480-4811