definiens: shall mean action to clea n up soil, sediments, surface water or groundwater in response to a Release of Hazardous Materials, including : ass ociated action taken to investigate, monitor, asses s and evaluate the extent and severity of any such Release ; action taken to remediate any such Release ; post - remediat ion monitoring of any such Release ; and preparation of all reports, studies, analyses or other documents r elating to the above . also shall refer to any ju dicial, administrative or other proceeding relating to any of the above, including : the negotiation and execution of judicial or administrative consent decrees ; respond ing to information requests by any Governmental Authority ; and defending claims brought by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, whether such claims are equitable or legal in nature, relating to the c leanup of the environment, including soil, surface water, groundw ater and sediments in response to a Release of Haza rdous Materials and associated actions