Environmental
The 'innocent landowner defense' under CERCLA protects a Washington property owner from liability for contamination if they can show they:
ANever used the property for industrial purposes
BAcquired the property after conducting all appropriate inquiries (AAI/Phase I ESA) and had no knowledge of contamination✓ Correct
CPurchased the property for less than market value
DObtained a no-further-action letter before purchase
Explanation
CERCLA's innocent landowner defense (bona fide prospective purchaser protection) requires that at the time of acquisition, the buyer performed All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) — typically a Phase I ESA — and had no actual knowledge of contamination.
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