CONTINGENCIES

We maintain reserves for various contingent liabilities as follows:



	December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2018			2017
Environmental reserves	$	10.6		$	15.0
Other reserves	0.2			0.1
Total contingencies	10.8			15.1
Current portion	(2.3		)	(3.4		)
Long-term portion	$	8.5		$	11.7

Estimates of our 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. We regularly monitor our 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 we 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. Our estimates of our 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

We are 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 we have 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 our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.

We maintain 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. Our estimates of our 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. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to environmental loss contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. However, no estimate of the range of any such change can be made at this time.

In those instances in which our estimated exposure reflects actual or anticipated cost-sharing arrangements with third parties, we do not believe that we 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 our environmental reserves. The amounts involved, the number of sites and a description of each are as follows:


•	Approximately $1.9 million of costs, related to two sites, pursuant to formal cost-sharing arrangements between us and one or more third parties.


•	Approximately $2.1 million of costs, related to two transactions each covering multiple sites, pursuant to agreements contained in purchase and sale documents where we have 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 two sites undergoing cleanup pursuant to federal or state environmental laws, where multiple parties are involved.

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

Our estimates of our 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 our 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	2018			2017			2016
Beginning balance	$	15.0		$	15.9		$	16.6
Adjusted to expense (income) during the year	(2.1		)	1.2			0.7
Payments made	(2.2		)	(2.1		)	(1.4		)
Translation	(0.1		)	—			—
Ending balance	$	10.6		$	15.0		$	15.9

Recorded in Other assets is $1.4 million related to a receivable for reimbursements of environmental costs associated with a non-operating site as of December 31, 2018.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we adjusted our reserves at a number of sites to reflect current estimates of remediation costs and environmental settlements.

Other Proceedings

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