CONTINGENCIES

LP maintains reserves for various contingent liabilities as follows:



	December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2015			2014
Environmental reserves	$	16.6		$	13.6
Other reserves	0.2			0.6
Total contingencies	16.8			14.2
Current portion	(1.3		)	(2.0		)
Long-term portion	$	15.5		$	12.2

LP’s estimates of its loss contingencies are based on various assumptions and judgments. Due to the numerous uncertainties and variables associated with these assumptions and judgments, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. LP regularly monitors its estimated exposure to contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change its estimates significantly. While no estimate of the range of any such change can be made at this time, the amount that LP may ultimately pay in connection with these matters could materially exceed, in either the near term or the longer term, the amounts accrued to date. LP’s estimates of its loss contingencies do not reflect potential future recoveries from insurance carriers except to the extent that recovery may from time to time be deemed probable as a result of an insurer’s agreement to payment terms.

Environmental Proceedings

LP is involved in a number of environmental proceedings and activities, and may be wholly or partially responsible for known or unknown contamination existing at a number of other sites at which it has conducted operations or disposed of wastes. Based on the information currently available, management believes that any fines, penalties or other costs or losses resulting from these matters will not have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity of LP.

LP maintains a reserve for undiscounted estimated environmental loss contingencies. This reserve is primarily for estimated future costs of remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at numerous sites currently or previously owned by the Company. LP’s estimates of its environmental loss contingencies are based on various assumptions and judgments, the specific nature of which varies in light of the particular facts and circumstances surrounding each environmental loss contingency. These estimates typically reflect assumptions and judgments as to the probable nature, magnitude and timing of required investigation, remediation and/or monitoring activities and the probable cost of these activities, and in some cases reflect assumptions and judgments as to the obligation or willingness and ability of third parties to bear a proportionate or allocated share of the cost of these activities. Due to the numerous uncertainties and variables associated with these assumptions and judgments, and the effects of changes in governmental regulation and environmental technologies, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. LP regularly monitors its estimated exposure to environmental loss contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change its estimates significantly. However, no estimate of the range of any such change can be made at this time.

In those instances in which LP’s estimated exposure reflects actual or anticipated cost-sharing arrangements with third parties, LP does not believe that it will be exposed to additional material liability as a result of non-performance by such third parties. There are three forms of cost-sharing arrangements under which costs are apportioned to others and are therefore not reflected in LP’s environmental reserves. The amounts involved, the number of sites and a description of each are as follows:


•	Approximately $2.3 million of costs, relating to three sites, pursuant to formal cost-sharing arrangements between LP and one or more third parties.


•	Approximately $2.8 million of costs, related to two transactions each covering multiple sites, pursuant to agreements contained in purchase and sale documents where LP has sold an asset to a third party and that third party has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of any remediation costs required for the sold asset.


•	Approximately $0.3 million of costs, related to one site undergoing cleanup pursuant to federal or state environmental laws, where multiple parties are involved.

LP considers the financial condition of third parties subject to the cost-sharing arrangements discussed above in determining the amounts to be reflected in LP’s environmental reserves. In addition, LP is a party to clean-up activities at two additional sites for which LP does not believe that the failure of a third party to discharge its allocated responsibility would significantly increase LP’s financial responsibility based on the manner in which financial responsibility has been, or is expected to be, allocated.

LP’s estimates of its environmental loss contingencies do not reflect potential future recoveries from insurance carriers except to the extent that recovery may from time to time be deemed probable as a result of a carrier’s agreement to payment terms.

The activity in LP’s reserve for estimated environmental loss contingency reserves for the last three years is summarized in the following table.



	Year ended December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2015			2014			2013
Beginning balance	$	13.6		$	14.9		$	14.1
Adjusted to expense (income) during the year	0.5			1.3			1.3
Adjusted to expense (income) through other operating credits and charges, net	3.2			0.5			—
Payments made	(0.7		)	(3.1		)	(0.5		)
Ending balance	$	16.6		$	13.6		$	14.9

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, LP adjusted its reserves at a number of sites to reflect current estimates of remediation costs and environmental settlements. During 2015, $3.2 million was adjusted through other operating credits and charges related to an increase in environmental reserves for a site that LP previously operated a vinyl siding operation based upon a revised estimate of the environmental remediation required.

Other Proceedings

LP and its subsidiaries are parties to other legal proceedings. Based on the information currently available, management believes that the resolution of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity of LP.