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One of the authors recently attended a land reclamation meeting with a large local mining corporation. The cleanup issues–the metal, organic, and other chemical pollutants, the intended future use of the area, the size of the plot, and the time frame–were all recognized, but the burden and cost parameters were ambiguous. There were no clear regulations about several soil toxin or water quality levels nor about the mandated final condition of the plot. No readily applicable funds were available for remediating toxins and only nominal grants for site restoration. The consequences for under-or over-performing on cleanup were also unclear. Nevertheless, the subtext and conversation at points in the meeting made evident that most believed in accountability and that handing over a good piece of land to the community or local developers was the final goal. The government had also signaled that it wanted the site …