Bio

Elizabeth Knauer practice has included most facets of environmental law under federal and New York State law, and views every matter through a multidimensional lens. Her experience in both litigation and project development provides a seasoned perspective on avoiding and managing risk. Elizabeth has litigated various matters relating to environmental contamination and claims for recovery of associated costs involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the New York Navigation Law, and other statutes; toxic tort claims; the Clean Water Act; environmental permitting standards; administrative law; and contractual provisions. She has litigated at the trial court and appellate level in both state and federal courts for nearly two decades and is familiar with complex litigation involving large numbers of defendants. Much of her recent work has involved litigation concerning groundwater contamination affecting public water supplies, including by emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane and PFAS. Elizabeth also regularly litigates administrative law cases, defending decision making of federal, state and municipal agencies when legal challenges are filed on environmental grounds. Elizabeth’s practice also focuses on environmental impact assessment under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She has advised both governmental and private clients on the environmental assessment of, and other environmental issues related to, projects ranging from major transportation projects to small affordable housing developments requiring federal or state approvals or undergoing the New York City Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). This work has included advice and litigation related to parkland alienation and federal and State historic resources consultation processes. Elizabeth advises clients with respect to environmental permitting and enforcement actions, and negotiates on their behalf with governmental agencies. She has helped secure federal and state permits for waterfront work for a variety of development projects as well as industrial operators. She also advises with respect to management and remediation of environmental contamination to minimize exposure to liability. Elizabeth has been an appointed citizen member of the New York City Environmental Control Board for over a decade.