Note 8—Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries include various pre-tax charges to record long-lived tangible asset impairments, contingent liability reserves, costs associated with efficiency projects, project write-offs, demolition costs, recoveries of previously recorded non-routine reserves and other non-routine transactions. The components of write-downs, reserves and recoveries are as follows:


	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)	2011			2010			2011		2010
Remediation costs	$	1.7		$	6.9		$	9.4	$	38.7
Efficiency projects		10.6			0.3			36.1		0.9
Loss on divested or abandoned assets		31.3			26.9			31.0		27.1
Write-down of long-term note receivable		—			—			—		52.2
Litigation reserves, awards and settlements		(4.2	)		(6.0	)		1.7		21.0
Flood insurance deductibles		0.2			—			4.6		—
Other		—			0.6			0.1		(3.6	)

Total Write-downs, reserves and recoveries	$	39.6		$	28.7		$	82.9	$	136.3

Remediation costs relate to projects at certain of our Las Vegas properties.

Efficiency projects represent costs incurred to identify and implement efficiency programs aimed at stream-lining corporate and operating functions to achieve cost savings and efficiencies. The costs recorded in 2011 relate to the new initiative launched during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Loss on divested or abandoned assets for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes charges of $27.1 million to write off specific assets as a result of the termination of a development stage project in Spain. Loss on divested or abandoned assets for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010 includes charges of $21.2 million to write off specific assets as a result of the indefinite deferral of certain capital projects in the Las Vegas and Atlantic City regions.

During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a $52.2 million write-down on a long-term note receivable related to land and pre-development costs contributed to a venture for development of a casino project in Philadelphia with which we were involved prior to December 2005. In April 2010, the proposed operator for the project withdrew from the project and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board commenced proceedings to revoke the license for the project. As a result, we fully reserved the note.

Litigation reserves, awards and settlements include costs incurred or reversed as a result of the Company's involvement in various litigation matters, including contingent losses. During 2010, we recorded a $25.0 million charge related to the previously disclosed Hilton matter. An update to this matter is included in Note 11, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities."

Flood insurance deductibles represent the deductibles incurred as a result of the temporary closures of certain properties due to flooding during the first half of 2011.