Definition: A CERCLA defense potentially available to a qualifying owner who acquired property without knowing or having reason to know of contamination and satisfies the statutory conditions, including the required pre-acquisition inquiry.
Example
A purchaser evaluates whether the required inquiry and other legal conditions support a landowner defense.
Keep the distinction clear
Simply saying that contamination was unknown is insufficient. Innocent landowner status differs from bona fide prospective purchaser protection, which can apply in different circumstances.
Related terms
Bona Fide · Liabilities · Risk
Keep studying
References: EPA: innocent landowners
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