Environmental Lien

A charge, security, or encumbrance upon title to a property to secure payment of  cost, damage, debt, obligation, or duty arising out of response actions, cleanup, or other remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum products upon a property, including (but not limited to) liens imposed pursuant to CERCLA 42 U.S.C. 9607 (1) and similar state or local laws.  An environmental lien search is one of the primary steps needed to satisfy the requirements under the EPA's "All Appropriate Inquiry" regulations.