United States v. Knote

818 F. Supp. 1280, 23 Envtl. L. Rep. (Envtl. Law Inst.) 21128, 36 ERC (BNA) 1570, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5273, 1993 WL 116787
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Missouri
DecidedApril 12, 1993
DocketNo. S 91-87 C
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 818 F. Supp. 1280 (United States v. Knote) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Knote, 818 F. Supp. 1280, 23 Envtl. L. Rep. (Envtl. Law Inst.) 21128, 36 ERC (BNA) 1570, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5273, 1993 WL 116787 (E.D. Mo. 1993).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

LIMBAUGH, District Judge.

This matter is before the Court on the defendants’ motion to enforce consent decree filed February 26, 1993. Responsive pleadings have been filed by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the defendants.

In July 1991, the EPA brought suit against the defendants under Sections 104, 106(a), and 107(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. §§ .9604, 9606(a), and 9607(a), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), PL 99-499, 100 Stat. 1613 et seq., and under Section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. § 6973, as amended, for recovery of costs connected with the clean-up of a site hereinafter referred to as the “KemPest Site”.

Shortly thereafter the parties negotiated a Consent Decree which was approved and entered by this Court on September 24, 1991. At the time the Consent Decree was entered in 1991, the EPA’s proposed remedial plan for the Kem-Pest Site included remediation of the formulation building by removing surface contamination and incineration of these residues, and restriction of utilization of the building for commercial and/or industrial purposes only. The remedial plan was set out in the EPA’s 1990 Record of Decision1 (1990 ROD) regarding this site.

The Consent Decree sets out the parties’ mutual rights and obligations regarding the clean-up of the Kem-Pest Site. Under its terms, the EPA has complete access to the Site to investigate, monitor, inspect, and carry out response actions. The defendants agreed that the Consent Decree would not limit or restrict the nature or scope of response actions taken by the EPA in exercising its authority under federal law. The defendants further agreed to cooperate with the EPA in implementing the response actions and not to interfere with such response actions. The defendants reserved their rights to file any claim or cause of action, pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), against the United States for negligent or reckless damage to the Site, including the formulation building. Consent Decree — Section III. The EPA agreed to make available to the defendants samples and other data regarding the Site. Consent Decree — Section XVI. In consideration of the defendants’ payment of $440,000.00 into the Superfund, the United States and the defendants agreed to mutual covenants not to sue. Consent Decree — Section X.

Finally, the Consent Decree sets forth a dispute resolution procedure for any disagreements “concerning implementation of this Decree.” Consent Decree — Section [1282]*1282XIII. It also acknowledges the Court’s continuing jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the Consent Decree. Consent Decree — Section XVII. The Court’s jurisdiction terminates upon full payment by the defendants and certification by the EPA of the final operable unit remedial action as completed. When these conditions are met, the EPA agrees to file a motion asking the Court to enter an order marking the judgment as to the defendants satisfied. Consent Decree-Section XX.

On October 21, 1992 the EPA published a notice for public comment inviting public input as to its proposed amendment to the 1990 ROD. The 1990 Amendment modified the 1990 ROD to the extent that instead of cleaning and decontaminating the formulation building, the EPA was now proposing to destroy the building and haul the demolition debris away to a landfill. On November 12, 1992 the EPA conducted a public meeting on the proposed 1990 ROD Amendment. Defendant Elizabeth Knote, on behalf of the Knote family defendants, appeared and voiced her concerns and objections to the 1990 ROD Amendment. Her oral comments were supplemented in a letter sent to the EPA on February 2, 1993. On February 5, 1993 the EPA approved and issued the 1990 ROD Amendment and began making preparations for the demolition of the formulation building. On February 16, 1993 defendants’ counsel contacted counsel for the EPA and informed him of the defendants’ intentions to invoke the dispute resolution procedure under Section XIII of the Consent Decree in order to discuss and resolve the matter regarding the demolition of the formulation building. The EPA’s response was generally negative and counsel indicated that the EPA had no obligation to discuss its choice of remedial action with the defendants.

The defendants have come to this Court seeking enforcement of the Consent Decree. They request the Court to enter an order determining that the dispute over the demolition of the formulation building and the EPA’s failure to provide them with certain data regarding test samples of the building’s interior structure are matters concerning the implementation of the Decree and therefore subject to the dispute resolution procedures under Section XIII.

The EPA’s position is two-fold. Firstly, it argues that this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to entertain the defendants’ motion because defendants are challenging a remedial action that has not been taken and CERCLA bars judicial pre-enforcement review of the merits of any remedial action. Secondly, the EPA contends that the Consent Decree in no way restricts the EPA from choosing any remedial action it wants, and furthermore, specifically prohibits the defendants from interfering with the EPA’s chosen remedial action. It goes on to point out that the delays caused by the defendants in pursuing this action are increasing the response costs by approximately $1,700.00 per day and threatening the health, safety and welfare of the general public.

After reading the parties’ pleadings in this matter, it is clear to the Court that the EPA’s “concern” about public safety and the increasing costs to taxpayers is insincere and sanctimonious. The EPA’s refusal to communicate with the defendants about the demolition of their building and its arrogant pontificating reflect nothing less than an attitude of supremacy tantamount to contempt. Were it not for the Consent Decree, this Court would have no choice but to acquiesce to the EPA’s dictatorial power, however, the Consent Decree does exist and binds the EPA to the authority of this Court.

It is well-established that CERCLA limits federal court jurisdiction to five specific circumstances. 42 U.S.C. § 9613(h) provides in pertinent part:

No Federal court shall have jurisdiction under Federal law ... to review any challenges to removal or remedial action selected ... in any action except one of the following:
(1) An action under section 107 to recover response costs or damages or for contribution.
(2) An action to enforce an order issued under section 106(a) or to recover a penalty for violation of such order.
(3) An action for reimbursement under section 106(b)(2).
(4) An action under section 310 (relating to citizens suits) alleging that the removal or remedial action taken under section 104 or [1283]*1283secured under section 106 was in violation of any requirement of this Act. Such an action may not be brought with regard to a removal where a remedial action is to be undertaken at the site.

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Related

United States v. Knote
29 F.3d 1297 (Eighth Circuit, 1994)

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Bluebook (online)
818 F. Supp. 1280, 23 Envtl. L. Rep. (Envtl. Law Inst.) 21128, 36 ERC (BNA) 1570, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5273, 1993 WL 116787, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-knote-moed-1993.