Protecting Property Owners After Spills, Leaks, and Regulatory Overreach

When petroleum, chemicals, or industrial waste contaminate your land, your water, or your business — it is not just an environmental issue.

It is a property rights issue.

If you are a landowner, homeowner, farmer, or small business owner in Arkansas dealing with a leaking underground storage tank, fuel spill, pipeline rupture, landfill contamination, or industrial discharge, you do not have to face the company — or the regulators — alone.

I represent Arkansas property owners who have been harmed by pollution and environmental contamination.

Common Environmental Cases in Arkansas

Environmental contamination happens more often than most people realize — especially in rural Arkansas and small towns.

I represent clients in cases involving:

• Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

• Leaking Above-Ground Storage Tanks (ASTs)

• Small-town gas station petroleum releases

• Diesel and gasoline contamination of soil or groundwater

• Oil pipeline ruptures

• Produced water spills from oil wells or brine operations

• Ammonia pipeline releases

• Landfill contamination and leachate migration

• Coal combustion residual (CCR) impoundment contamination

• Industrial chemical spills

• Agricultural chemical contamination

• Groundwater plume migration affecting nearby property

If contamination from a neighboring facility has reduced your property value, interfered with your water supply, or created regulatory problems for you, you may have legal remedies.

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks in Arkansas

Understanding the Arkansas Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund

Arkansas has a Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund designed to assist with cleanup costs from leaking underground storage tanks. Many property owners assume that once the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (Division of Environmental Quality – DEQ) gets involved, everything will be handled fairly and completely.

But the Trust Fund:

• Does not always compensate neighboring property owners adequately

• Often focuses on minimum regulatory compliance

• May not fully address long-term property damage

• Does not automatically compensate you for diminished value

Cleanup and compensation are two different things.

If contamination from a leaking tank has affected your land, well water, or business, you may have claims for:

• Property damage

• Diminished property value

• Loss of use

• Remediation costs

• Business interruption

• Nuisance and trespass

I help property owners evaluate whether the regulatory process is protecting their interests — or simply closing files.

When the State Gets Involved

The Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality works hard and does important work. But their mission is regulatory compliance — not protecting your personal financial interests.

In many cases:

• There is pressure to resolve matters quickly.

• Cleanup standards are negotiated.

• Responsible parties push for cost-effective closure.

• Affected neighbors are not fully informed of their rights.

If DEQ has contacted you — or if a company’s environmental consultant has shown up on your property — you should understand your legal position before signing anything or granting access.

You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to demand transparency.
You are allowed to protect your property.

Regulatory Action and Civil Lawsuits

Environmental contamination cases often involve two parallel tracks:

1. Regulatory Process

Working within DEQ or other agencies to ensure proper cleanup and compliance.

2. Civil Claims

Pursuing compensation from the responsible company for property damage and losses.

Sometimes the regulatory system is enough.
Sometimes it is not.

I evaluate both avenues and advise clients on the most effective strategy.

Why Experience Matters in Environmental Cases

Environmental contamination cases are technical. They involve:

• Soil and groundwater testing

• Hydrogeology reports

• Environmental consultants

• Remediation plans

• Regulatory standards

• Insurance coverage issues

• Corporate environmental compliance strategies

I have worked:

• As an attorney for the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment

• In environmental regulatory matters involving underground storage tanks, landfills, and pollution control

• In oil and gas operations and brine production

• In litigation and negotiation involving environmental damage

I understand how the regulators think.
I understand how companies manage environmental liability.
And I understand how to protect Arkansas landowners caught in the middle.

Rural Above-Ground Tank Cases

Some of the most serious contamination cases involve above-ground petroleum storage tanks in rural areas.

These sites often:

• Sit near private wells

• Serve agricultural operations

• Lack robust containment systems

• Leak slowly over time before discovery

If your rural property has been impacted by petroleum contamination, you need someone who understands both environmental law and Arkansas property law.

Coal Ash and Landfill Contamination

Arkansas has coal combustion residual (CCR) disposal sites and landfills that can present long-term environmental risks.

Coal ash contains heavy metals that can migrate into groundwater.
Landfill leachate can travel beyond property boundaries.

If you are near one of these facilities and have concerns about contamination or property value impacts, you may have options.

Who This Practice Is For

This practice is for:

• Landowners near leaking gas stations

• Those living near power plants, particularly coal fired power plants

• Homeowners affected by groundwater contamination

• Small business owners harmed by nearby spills

• Rural property owners dealing with pipeline leaks

• Families worried about well water contamination

If your property has been affected by pollution, you deserve straight answers.

What To Do If You Suspect Contamination

If you believe your property may be impacted:

1. Do not sign access agreements without review.

2. Do not rely solely on the company’s consultant.

3. Document everything.

4. Get independent advice before waiving rights.

Timing matters in environmental cases.

Arkansas Environmental Lawyer for Property Owners

I represent clients across Arkansas, including:

Pulaski County, Faulkner County, Saline County, White County, Union County, Columbia County, Lafayette County, Miller County, Sebastian County, Crawford County, Franklin County, Logan County, Van Buren County, Conway County, Pike County, Jefferson County, Independence County, Cleburne County, and throughout rural Arkansas.

If you are dealing with:

• A leaking underground storage tank

• Petroleum contamination

• A pipeline spill

• Landfill contamination

• Coal ash exposure

• Industrial chemical releases

• Or any environmental damage affecting your land

Call 501-251-1076 to discuss your situation.

Straight Answers. Practical Strategy. Real Property Protection.

Environmental contamination is stressful.
Regulatory pressure is intimidating.
Corporate environmental departments are experienced.

You should be represented by someone who is too.