Does the way in which an LGU acquires property affect environmental liability exemptions under state or federal law?
A1. Yes. The liability exemption from the Wisconsin Spill Law applies for LGUs that acquire property through tax delinquency, bankruptcy proceedings, condemnation, eminent domain, escheat, for slum clearance or blight elimination, by using Stewardship funds, or from another exempt LGU. If an LGU acquires property “involuntarily” through tax delinquency, foreclosure, demolition lien foreclosure, escheat, abandonment, condemnation, or eminent domain, the LGU cannot be held liable under federal law for contamination.
