Joslyn Mfg. Co. v. Koppers Co., Inc. ( 1994 )

United States Court of Appeals,
Fifth Circuit.
No. 93-5553.
JOSLYN MANUFACTURING CO., Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
KOPPERS COMPANY, INC. and the Louisiana & Arkansas Railway
Company, Defendants-Appellees.
Dec. 28, 1994.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western
District of Louisiana.
Before POLITZ, Chief Judge, and GOLDBERG and DUHÉ, Circuit
Judges.
DUHÉ, Circuit Judge:
This is an action for contribution arising under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601, et seq., and the Louisiana
Environmental Quality Act (LEQA), La.Rev.Stat. 30:2271, et seq.
Appellant Joslyn Manufacturing Company (Joslyn) appeals from
judgment entered following a bench trial and from an order
denying its motion to vacate. We have jurisdiction pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 1291. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
I. BACKGROUND
Joslyn sued T.L. James & Co., Koppers Company, Inc.
(Koppers), Louisiana & Arkansas Railway Company (L & A) and
others. Joslyn sought recovery of response costs and a
declaration of future liability under both CERCLA and LEQA. The
district court granted summary judgment for T.L. James & Co. See
Joslyn Corp. v. T.L. James & Co., Inc., 696 F. Supp. 222
1
(W.D.La.1988), affirmed, 893 F.2d 80 (5th Cir.1990), cert.
denied, 498 U.S. 1108, 111 S. Ct. 1017, 112 L. Ed. 2d 2053 (1991).1
Joslyn dismissed all remaining parties except Koppers and L & A.
Judge Stagg conducted a four day bench trial, and held that
Joslyn was obligated to defend and indemnify L & A for all
damages to the property. Joslyn moved to vacate judgment. The
district court denied the motion and Joslyn filed this appeal.
II. FACTS
This litigation involves two contiguous parcels of land in
Bossier City, Louisiana and known collectively as the Lincoln
Creosoting site. The first parcel contained a wood treatment
plant, including buildings, treating and storage tanks, wood
treatment cylinders, black storage areas and other equipment.
The second parcel contained industry tracks used in conjunction
with the wood treatment operations on the first parcel. A chart
depicting the relevant history of the parcels is set out in
Appendix A.
A. Wood Treatment Operations
Lincoln owned the first parcel from at least 1935 to 1950
when it sold the parcel to Joslyn. Lincoln leased portions of
the second parcel from L & A beginning in 1938 and continuing
through 1950 when it assigned its leases to Joslyn. According to
1
T.L. James & Co. was the owner of 60% of the voting common
stock and 100% of the non-voting stock of Lincoln Creosote
Company. In Joslyn Corp. v. T.L. James & Co., Inc., we held that
CERCLA did not mandate the piercing of the corporate veil in this
instance, and therefore affirmed the district court's grant of
summary judgment for T.L. James. See 893 F.2d at 84.
2
Joslyn, prior to the sale and assignment Lincoln operated four
wood treatment cylinders on the first parcel. Lincoln's creosote
recovery system allowed raw creosoting chemicals to drip from the
treating cylinders to a sump pit located below the system. The
system recovered some of the creosote from the sump. The
remaining chemicals and waste water were discharged into an open
ditch which emptied into a slough at the east end of the second
parcel. From the slough, the creosoting chemicals were washed
away by rain to the surrounding land areas and waterways.
Investigation of the site has revealed substantial creosote
contamination in the areas of the ditch and the slough. Joslyn
claims that contamination also occurred due to Lincoln's use of
creosote to kill weeds, and because of Lincoln's use of creosote
residue as a base for roads.
On August 1, 1950, Joslyn bought the first parcel, and the
plant and equipment located thereon, from Lincoln. On August 14,
1950, Lincoln2 assigned its leases on portions of the second
parcel to Joslyn. Joslyn executed leases directly with L & A in
1955 and 1967.
The evidence reveals that Joslyn took over all of Lincoln's
physical facilities and continued wood treatment operations
without interruption. George Bauer, Joslyn's plant manager from
1950 to 1963, testified that "There was a shutdown [of Lincoln]
one night and startup the next morning as Joslyn, same people,
2
Lincoln was dissolved in 1952 upon unanimous consent of its
shareholders, and is no longer in existence.
3
same equipment." Joslyn used creosote and several other
chemicals throughout its 19 years of wood treatment operations on
the site. There is no dispute that both Lincoln and Joslyn's
wood treatment operations resulted in environmental
contamination.
Joslyn continued operations at the plant until December 1969
when it sold the property to Koppers. Koppers purchased the
first parcel from Joslyn in order to remove some of the wood
treatment equipment from the property. Specifically, Koppers
sought to acquire two treatment cylinders for use at other
Koppers' plants. These cylinders, which sat on concrete pads,
were removed in September 1970 by lifting them off of their
supports and placing them on double flat cars. In addition,
Koppers removed railroad ties, tracks, tram cars, frogs and
switches. Koppers also removed the fans and doors from a
dry-kiln located on the property. The trial court determined
that at no time during Koppers' ownership did it operate the wood
treatment facility, nor did Koppers dismantle the entire plant.
Koppers owned the property until January 1971 when it sold
the property to the Myatt family doing business as the Specialty
Oil Company. Thirteen days later, the Myatts transferred
ownership to Marvin E. Pollard. L & A sold the second parcel in
March of 1972. The property then passed through several
additional owners, the last of which subdivided the property.
B. Environmental Action
On February 3, 1986, the Louisiana Department of
4
Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued an order against T.L. James,
Joslyn, Koppers, L & A and others, requiring that a fence be
erected around the perimeter of the site. While Joslyn bore the
majority of the fencing cost, L & A—though denying liability for
remediation—paid a pro rata share. L & A and Koppers requested a
hearing on all matters relating to the February 3, 1986
compliance order issued by DEQ.
On August 2, 1986, the DEQ issued a second order against
T.L. James, Joslyn, Koppers, L & A and others ordering them to
develop a plan for investigation of the site and for clean up of
"problem areas" discovered during the Phase 1 investigation.
Koppers and L & A again denied liability and requested a hearing
on the compliance order. Joslyn submitted a "remedial
investigation work plan" to the DEQ. On November 17, 1988, the
DEQ approved the Joslyn work plan. Once again, Koppers and L & A
denied liability and requested a hearing in regard to the
November 17, 1988 compliance order.
On April 30, 1991, the DEQ issued an order against T.L.
James, Joslyn, Koppers, L & A and others to submit a "remedial
action plan" and, upon plan approval, to implement the plan.
Again, Koppers and L & A denied liability and requested a
hearing. On January 17, 1992, Joslyn submitted a "removal action
work plan" to the DEQ. Joslyn began clean up of the site on
February 28, 1992. In June and July of 1992, Joslyn sought DEQ's
permission to stop work at the site. DEQ denied the request and,
as of the date of the trial, Joslyn claims that it had expended
5
over $13 million in its clean up of the site.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Joslyn appeals from judgment entered by the district court
after a bench trial on the merits. We review the district
court's findings of fact for clear error and legal issues de
novo. F.D.I.C. v. McFarland, 33 F.3d 532, 536 (5th Cir.1994).
However, we may affirm for reasons other than those relied upon
by the district court. Ballard v. United States, 17 F.3d 116,
118 (5th Cir.1994).
IV. INDEMNIFICATION OF L & A
As indicated above, Lincoln entered into several leases with
L & A. Two of those leases, executed in 1942 and 1949, were
assigned by Lincoln to Joslyn. Joslyn leased portions of the
second parcel directly from L & A in 1955 and 1967. After
reviewing the terms of the indemnity clauses contained in the
four leases, the district court held,
L & A is clearly liable to Joslyn for response costs under
CERCLA because L & A is a past owner of parcel 2 of the site
and owned this property at the time hazardous substances
were disposed. Any amount for which L & A owes Joslyn under
CERCLA as a past owner, however, is MOOT, because any such
amount is CANCELLED OUT by the fact that Joslyn is
ultimately liable for such amount under the indemnity
provisions of the four leases at issue.
(emphasis in original). Joslyn agrees that it is bound by the
indemnity clauses contained in the 1955 and 1967 leases it
executed with L & A. In addition, Joslyn concedes that it is
bound by the indemnification clauses in the 1942 and 1949 leases
for all contamination which occurred after the August 14, 1950
assignment from Lincoln. The issue before this Court is whether
6
Joslyn, as assignee, is required to indemnify L & A for
environmental damage caused by Lincoln prior to the August 14,
1950 assignment. The scope of the assignment must be determined
by applying Louisiana law.
A. Terms of the Indemnification Provision
The starting point of our analysis must be the language of
the leases. The 1942 lease from L & A to Lincoln contained the
following indemnification provision,
Lessee forever shall defend, indemnify as an insurer, and
save harmless Carrier from, for and against any and all
liability, judgments, outlays and expenses (1st) consequent
on any injury, death, damage, loss or destruction (a)
suffered or caused by or to any person or property incident
to or while being engaged or being used in the doing of
whatsoever Lessee attempts hereunder, or while on Premises
for any reason whatsoever; or (b) suffered by any person
(except Carrier's exclusive employees) or by any property
(except Carrier's exclusive property) while in the immediate
vicinity or, going to or leaving or being taken by other
than Carrier to or from the Premises; (c) caused by or
resulting from any condition of or defect in the Premises or
any operation by any person whomsoever of any locomotive or
car (except resulting form Carrier's sole negligence); or
(2) consequent on any sole or concurring, wrongful or
negligent act of Lessee or of any of Lessee's officers,
agents, employees, servants or contractors; or (3)
consequent on any fire howsoever set on the premises.
The 1949 lease contained a similarly broad indemnification
provision which provided,
The Lessee agrees to indemnify the Railway Company and save
it harmless from any and all claims and expenses that may
arise or that may be made for death, injury, loss or damage,
resulting to the Railway Company's employees or property, or
to the Lessee or Lessee's employees or property, or to other
persons or their property, arising from or happening in
connection with or during the occupancy or use of said
premises by the Lessee, whether or not caused by the
negligence of the Railway Company, and resulting from fire
or any other cause, excepting only loss or damage to the
premises of the Railway Company, or to rolling stock, or to
Lessee's shipments in the course of transportation, when
7
such loss or damage is caused solely by fire set by
locomotives operated by Railway Company.
While CERCLA does not permit the avoidance of liability vis-a-vis
the government, both CERCLA3 and LEQA4 specifically recognize the
enforceability of indemnification agreements which allocate
environmental liability among responsible parties.
The Seventh Circuit recently recognized that a party may
contract to indemnify another for environmental liability even
though CERCLA was not in existence at the time of contracting.
See Kerr-McGee Chem. Corp. v. Lefton Iron & Metal Co., 14 F.3d
321, 327 (7th Cir.1994). The broad language of the
indemnification agreements at issue herein evince a strong intent
by the lessee to indemnify L & A for all liability arising in
connection with the occupancy or use of the land. We hold that
the indemnification agreements were intended to cover all forms
3
See 42 U.S.C. § 9607(e)(1),
No indemnification, hold harmless, or similar agreement
or conveyance shall be effective to transfer from the
owner or operator of any vessel or facility or from any
person who may be liable for a release or threat of
release under this section, to any other person the
liability imposed under this section. Nothing in this
subsection shall bar any agreement to insure, hold
harmless, or indemnify a party to such agreement for
any liability under this section.
(emphasis supplied).
4
La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 30:2276(I) (West 1989),
Nothing in this Chapter shall bar a cause of action
that an owner or operator or any other person subject
to liability under this Section or a guarantor has or
would have by reason of indemnification, subrogation,
or otherwise against any person.
8
of liability, including liability under CERCLA and LEQA, even
though environmental liability under these statutes was not
specifically contemplated at the time of contracting. Thus, the
question before the Court is whether Joslyn assumed all of
Lincoln's obligations under the leases, or merely those
obligations which arose after the date of the assignment.
B. Assignment
The next step in our analysis is to examine the scope of the
assignment from Lincoln to Joslyn to determine exactly what was
conveyed. Our starting point is the language of the assumption
agreement between Joslyn and L & A.
1. Terms of the Assignment
The assumption agreement between Joslyn and L & A, executed
on August 14, 1950, provides in relevant part,
As of the 24th day of July, 1950, the undersigned
purchased from Lincoln Creosoting Company, Inc., of
Shreveport, Louisiana, subject to your approval, all of its
right, title and interest in and to the following contracts:
. . . . .
2. Lease Agreement dated June 11, 1942, executed by you
and said Lincoln Creosoting Company, Inc. covering 2.33
acres, more or less, out of the SW1/4 of Section 21,
Township 18 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
3. Lease Agreement dated November 11, 1949, executed by
you with said Lincoln Creosoting Company, Inc. covering an
irregular parcel of land between Mile Post B-104.17 and B-
104.41 in Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
Under dates July 24th and 25th, 1950, said Lincoln
Creosoting Company, Inc. by letters to you confirmed its
said sales and assignments to the undersigned.
If you will approve this purchase and transfer by so
indicating on each copy of this letter, an original and four
copies of which are enclosed, and return one copy to the
9
above address, the undersigned agrees to carry out and
perform, as well as to be bound by all the terms and
provisions of said Industry Track Agreement of January 16,
1936, and said Lease Agreements of June 11, 1942 and
November 11, 1949, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference with the same like effect as if copied herein in
full.
(emphasis supplied). In addition to the language contained in
the assumption agreement, the 1942 lease contained the following
provision,
Every undertaking herein shall have the effect of a
covenant. Carrier's undertakings are limited to Carrier's
express covenants herein. Carrier's implied covenants are
limited to Carrier's estate in Premises. Covenants herein
shall inure to or bind each party's heirs, legal
representatives, successors and assigns, but Premises shall
not be sublet nor shall Lessee's rights be transferred or
assigned voluntarily or involuntarily. Carrier or Lessee
may waive any default at any time of the other without
affecting or impairing any rights arising from subsequent
default....
(emphasis supplied). The 1949 lease contained a similar
provision:
The lease shall not be assigned or in any manner transferred
nor said premises or any part thereof sublet, used or
occupied by any party other than the Lessee, nor for any
purpose other than that specified herein, without the
written consent of the Railway Company. The provisions of
this lease shall be binding upon any assignee or sub-tenant
of the Lessee.
(emphasis supplied).
Under Louisiana law, an assignee is only bound to the extent
of the obligations assumed. See La.Civ.Code Ann. art. 1822 (West
1987). While we have been unable to find any Louisiana authority
addressing the specific issue at hand, an understanding of the
general law of obligations provides us with sufficient guidance
to determine how a Louisiana court would decide this issue.
10
Therefore, as an initial matter, we must set out the applicable
rules of obligations gleaned from Louisiana law.
2. Real or Personal Obligation
Louisiana law recognizes two basic types of obligations, and
corresponding rights: an obligation, and the correlative right
to demand its performance, can be either real or personal.5
[T]he term "real right" under the civil law is synonymous
with proprietary interest, both of which refer to a species
of ownership. Ownership defines the relation of man to
things and may, therefore, be declared against the world. A
personal right, on the other hand, defines man's
relationship to man and refers merely to any obligation one
owes to another which may be declared only against the
obligor.
Reagan v. Murphy, 235 La. 529, 105 So. 2d 210, 214 (1958). In
other words, a personal right is the "legal power that a person
(obligee) has to demand from another person (obligor) a
performance consisting of giving, doing, or not doing a thing."
A.N. Yiannopoulos, Louisiana Civil Law Treatise, Property § 203,
at 370 (3d ed. 1991).
The distinction between real and personal obligations is
important when determining whether an obligation has been
transferred.
A real obligation is transferred to the universal or
particular successor who acquires the movable or immovable
thing to which the obligation is attached, without a special
provision to that effect.
But a particular successor is not personally bound,
unless he assumes the personal obligations of his transferor
with respect to the thing, and he may liberate himself of
the real obligation by abandoning the thing.
5
See La.Civ.Code Ann. arts. 1763-66 (West 1987).
11
La.Civ.Code Ann. art. 1764 (West 1987); see also A.N.
Yiannopoulos, Louisiana Civil Law Treatise, Property § 210, at
385 (3d ed. 1991),
From the viewpoint of transferability, obligations are
either nontransferable (strictly personal) or transferable,
whether actively or passively (heritable and real
obligations). From the viewpoint of the nature of the
transferee's responsibility, transferable obligations are
either heritable or real. Heritable obligations are
transferable obligations that result in personable
responsibility to the transferee. Real obligations attach
to immovable property and do not result in personal
responsibility of the obligor. The obligor is thus held to
a duty merely in his capacity as possessor and may free
himself by abandoning the immovable.
Thus, a real right attaches to the property (movable or
immovable) and is automatically transferred to a subsequent
successor in interest to the property. The transferability of a
personal obligation, in contrast, depends on whether the
obligation is classified as "heritable" or "strictly personal."
Louisiana Civil Code Article 1765 defines "heritable
obligation" as follows:
An obligation is heritable when its performance may be
enforced by a successor of the obligee or against a
successor of the obligor.
Every obligation is deemed heritable as to all parties,
except when the contrary results from the terms or from the
nature of the contract.
A heritable obligation is also transferable between
living persons.
Article 1766 defines "strictly personal" obligation:
An obligation is strictly personal when its performance
can be enforced only by the obligee, or only against the
obligor.
When the performance requires the special skill or
qualification of the obligor, the obligation is presumed to
12
be strictly personal on the part of the obligor. All
obligations to perform personal services are presumed to be
strictly personal on the part of the obligor.
When the performance is intended for the benefit of the
obligee exclusively, the obligation is strictly personal on
the part of that obligee.
With this background, we must determine whether the indemnity
clauses are personal or real obligations, and, if the obligations
are personal, whether they are heritable or strictly personal.
3. Classification of Obligation
The indemnity clauses at issue are personal rather than
real obligations. There is no indication that the
indemnification agreements were intended to create a real
obligation upon the land itself, but rather were intended to bind
the lessee personally.6 It is also plain that these personal
obligations fall into the heritable rather than the strictly
personal classification.
Under the Civil Code, all obligations are deemed heritable.
See La.Civ.Code Ann. art. 1765 (West 1987) ("Every obligation is
6
See e.g. Leonard v. Lavigne, 245 La. 1004, 162 So. 2d 341,
343 (1964); E.P. Dobson, Inc. v. Perritt, 566 So. 2d 657, 659
(La.App.1990),
Although the lease provisions generally are stated to
be binding on the heirs and assigns of the parties, the
non-competition agreement does not state that it is a
covenant running with the land or binding on future
owners of the lessor's other property, nor does the
agreement refer to a general plan of development or
purport to inure to the benefit of other owners in the
area of development. The restriction is for the
benefit of this lessee only; not for the benefit of
any owner in the affected area. It is personal to the
lessee in the operation of lessee's particular business
on the leased property.
13
deemed heritable as to all parties, except when the contrary
results from the terms or from the nature of the contract"). The
leases at issue provide no evidence that a contrary result was
intended. In fact, there is no indication that performance was
intended to be rendered by a specific party, but rather that L &
A would be indemnified by the occupier and user of the land. We
find that the agreements were heritable as a matter of law. As
an important corollary, the right of L & A to be indemnified was
also clearly personal. Therefore, L & A is entitled to
indemnification even though it is no longer the owner of the
land.
4. Joslyn's Argument
Before we apply the legal concepts we have set out, it is
useful to explore Joslyn's arguments to determine whether it has
presented any authority inconsistent with our general
understanding of Louisiana law. Joslyn first cites two common
law commentators for the proposition that its obligations under
the assigned lease are prospective from the date of the
assignment.
First, Joslyn quotes Friedman on Leases for the proposition
that privity of estate does not create liability for breaches
occurring prior to assignment.7 While we need not decide the
7
Milton R. Friedman, Friedman on Leases, § 7.501c1, at 356-
57.
The assignee's liability created by privity of estate
does not include anything that accrued before the
assignment. The assignee is not liable for breach by
the original tenant or by a prior assignee. Nor is he
14
result under the common law, we note that Joslyn's reliance on
this statement is misplaced in that the theory of liability at
issue is not based on privity of estate, but rather on
contractual liability arising under the terms of the transferred
lease.
Joslyn also quotes American Law of Property for the
proposition that in absence of an assumption agreement, an
assignee is not in privity of contract with the lessor, and
therefore can only be held liable on the basis of privity of
estate.8 Once again, reliance on this language is misplaced. As
discussed above, the transfer of the lease from Lincoln to Joslyn
was by written assignment. The assumption agreement was
delivered to, and approved by, L & A before the assignment took
place. Therefore, in common law terms, Joslyn's liability arises
from privity of contract, not privity of estate. The common law
liable for rent payable before the assignment to him,
even if this covers a period subsequent thereto. All
this is true, but requires amplification. An assignee
is not personally liable for prior breaches, but he
takes the lease subject to forfeiture if the breaches
are not cured.
8
American Law of Property, § 9.5, at 365 (1952).
In the absence of an assumption agreement, the assignee
of the covenantor is under no privity of contract
liability, so that the only basis for liability on his
part is on the basis of privity of estate. Therefore,
as soon as he in turn reassigns the burdened estate he
has terminated his privity of estate and so will not be
liable for future breaches of the covenant. Of course,
he remains liable for all breaches that occurred during
the period of the ownership of the burdened estate, but
he is not liable for breaches occurring prior to the
time in which he acquired the estate, nor for those
occurring subsequent to the date he disposes of it.
15
seems to mirror the civil rule—the scope of liability is
determined by the scope of the assumption.9
The portions of Droit Civil Français quoted by Joslyn are
consistent with our understanding of Louisiana law.10 The French
authorities referenced in Droit Civil Français concur with
9
See Milton R. Friedman, Friedman on Leases, § 7.501c2(a),
at 360 (3d ed. 1990),
If the assignee assumes "with the same force and effect
as if he had executed the lease as tenant," the
assumption includes all liability that had accrued at
the time of the assignment, as well as the liability
thereafter accruing.
Id. at § 7.501c2(b), at 361,
An assignee's agreement to assume the tenant's
obligations is held, without more, to exclude existing
breaches and include only obligation accruing
subsequent to the assignment. But the amount of
relevant authority is small. For this reason the
assumption clause should be clear. If it is intended
to be prospective it should be made expressly
applicable only to the covenants and conditions on
tenant's part to be performed and observed from and
after a specified time. The assignee will then be
clearly under no personal liability for anything that
occurred before the assignment.
10
Aubry & Rau, Droit Civil Français, in 2 Civil Law
Translations § 176, at 79 (7th ed. 1966),
The particular successor is not, as such and as of
right, directly held liable for the personal
obligations of his grantor.
Thus, under Art. 871, a legatee by a particular title
is not liable for the debts of his testator. The
acquisition of a thing would entail grave risks if the
transferees were held liable for debts related to the
thing, without being notified by them.
A lessor who has stipulated that the lessee will pay
all the taxes including the real estate tax can not
claim from an assignee of the lease a reimbursement for
the payment of taxes due before the assignment.
16
Louisiana law that a successor in interest to an immovable takes
those personal obligation of its predecessor which were known and
specifically assumed.
5. Application
Having established the analytical framework within which the
determination must be made, we briefly summarize our conclusions.
First, the indemnification agreements are valid methods of
apportioning liability under CERCLA and LEQA among the
responsible parties. Second, these indemnification agreements
are heritable, personal obligations for which the assignee is
responsible only if they were specifically assumed.
We hold as a matter of law the language of the assumption
agreement displays the intent of Joslyn to assume all of the
obligations of Lincoln under the lease.11 In the assumption
agreement, Joslyn specifically states that
the undersigned [Joslyn] agrees to carry out and perform, as
well as to be bound by all the terms and provisions of said
Industry Track Agreement of January 16, 1936, and said Lease
Agreements of June 11, 1942 and November 11, 1949, all of
which are incorporated herein by reference with the same
like effect as if copied herein in full
(emphasis supplied). This language clearly expresses Joslyn's
intent to take over all obligations under the referenced
contracts. There is no language of limitation contained in the
assumption agreement, and no attempt was made to limit the
11
Where the language of the contract is clear and
unambiguous, there is no need to go outside the four corners of
the document to determine the parties' intent. See American
Waste & Pollution Control Co. v. Jefferson Davis Parish Sanitary
Landfill Comm'n, 578 So. 2d 541, 564 (La.App.1991), cert. denied,
581 So. 2d 694 (La.1991).
17
assumption to prospective obligations. We find as a matter of
law that Joslyn accepted a general assignment of the leases and
thereby agreed to perform all of Lincoln's obligations
thereunder.
6. Solidarity
Having determined that Joslyn assumed all of Lincoln's
obligations under the leases, we must next assess the extent of
Joslyn's liability to L & A. Under the Louisiana Civil Code, it
is clear that the written assumption agreement between Joslyn and
L & A rendered Joslyn liable under the terms of the leases, but
did not release Lincoln from liability. See La.Civ.Code Ann.
art. 1821 (West 1987),
An obligor and a third person may agree to an
assumption by the latter of an obligation of the former. To
be enforceable by the obligee against the third person, the
agreement must be made in writing.
The obligee's consent to the agreement does not effect
a release of the obligor.
The unreleased obligor remains solidarily bound with
the third person.
(emphasis supplied). The solidarity of Lincoln and Joslyn
creates a special relationship which renders each of them
individually liable for the whole performance. See id. at art.
1794,
An obligation is solidary for the obligors when each
obligor is liable for the whole performance. A performance
rendered by one of the solidary obligors relieves the others
of liability toward the obligee.
L & A could therefore, at its option, demand performance under
the lease from either Lincoln or Joslyn. See id. at art. 1795.
18
An obligee, at his choice, may demand the whole
performance from any of his solidary obligors. A solidary
obligor may not request division of the debt.
Unless the obligation is extinguished, an obligee may
institute action against any of his solidary obligors even
after institution of action against another solidary
obligor.
see also id. at art. 1800,
A failure to perform a solidary obligation through the
fault of one obligor renders all the obligors solidarily
liable for the resulting damages. In that case, the
obligors not at fault have their remedy against the obligor
at fault.
Under the code, once Joslyn assumed all of the obligations
of the lease, without reservation, it became inextricably bound
with Lincoln for performance of the lease obligations. L & A, by
approving the assignment of the lease to Joslyn, gained the
benefit of having two parties solidarily obligated to perform
under the lease. Under this arrangement, Joslyn made itself
liable vis-a-vis L & A for Lincoln's performance under the
indemnity clause. While Joslyn would certainly have a right of
subrogation against Lincoln, Joslyn—not L & A—assumed the risk of
Lincoln's insolvency. See id. Joslyn cannot be allowed to
thwart the terms of the indemnity clause, nor escape its
inevitable liability under the code, simply by initiating suit
itself. Had L & A initiated suit to enforce the indemnity
clause, Joslyn would be liable to L & A for Lincoln's
environmental damage. The same result must occur where suit is
filed by Joslyn.
C. Novation by the 1967 Lease
19
For the first time on appeal,12 Appellant claims that any
obligations that it took by assignment from Lincoln were released
by L & A upon execution of the 1967 lease. The 1967 lease
provided, "This agreement cancels and supersedes agreements
between the parties hereto, dated August 14, 1950, and January
15, 1955." Joslyn claims that this language constitutes a
novation of the previous leases, and that L & A thereby released
it from its obligation under the 1950 assignment and 1955 lease.
12
"We will consider an issue raised for the first time on
appeal only if the issue is purely a legal issue and if
consideration is necessary to avoid a miscarriage of justice."
Citizens Nat'l Bank v. Taylor (In re Goff), 812 F.2d 931, 933
(5th Cir.1987). We will not allow parties to raise issues for
the first time on appeal merely because they believe that they
might prevail if given the opportunity to try the case again on a
different theory. See id. (citing Holiday Inns, Inc. v.
Alberding, 683 F.2d 931, 934 (5th Cir.1982)).
The Supreme Court has afforded a limited exception to
this rule. See Moses H. Cone Memorial Hosp. v. Mercury
Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 103 S. Ct. 927, 74 L. Ed. 2d 765
(1983). In Moses H. Cone, the Court concluded that, "in
view of the special interests at stake and the apparent lack
of any prejudice to the parties," the court of appeals had
discretion to consider an issue not decided in the district
court. Id. at 29, 103 S.Ct. at 944.
As explained by the Court, 28 U.S.C. § 2106 gives an
appellate court "some latitude in entering an order to
achieve justice in the circumstances." Id. That section
provides:
The Supreme Court or any other court of appellate
jurisdiction may affirm, modify, vacate, set aside or
reverse any judgment, decree, or order of a court
lawfully brought before it for review, and may remand
the cause and direct the entry of such appropriate
judgment, decree, or order, or require such further
proceedings to be had as may be just under the
circumstances.
28 U.S.C. § 2106.
20
Notwithstanding the questionable timeliness of this
contention, the argument fails on its merits. Under Louisiana
law, a novation must be clear and unequivocal. La.Civ.Code.Ann.
art. 1880 (West 1987). Even assuming, ad arguendo, that the
above cited language constitutes a novation of the referenced
documents, the language does not constitute a express novation of
the 1942 and 1949 leases. The leases are simply not mentioned.
At most, the language effectuated a novation of the assumption
agreement, and thereby negated L & A's written approval of the
assignment.13 Novation of the assignment agreement does not, and
cannot, affect the validity or effectiveness of the assignment
from Lincoln to Joslyn. The leases themselves were not novated,
nor was the agreement between Lincoln and Joslyn changed.
Therefore, Joslyn's duty, as assignee of the 1942 and 1949
leases, was not affected by the purported novation of the 1950
assignment agreement and the 1955 lease.
Even without the assumption agreement, Joslyn and Lincoln
were solidarily bound by the assignment. Without an express
novation of the 1942 and 1949 leases, this solidarity is
unaffected, and L & A retains the option to seek indemnity from
either Joslyn or Lincoln.
V. KOPPERS' CERCLA LIABILITY
13
While in another context the lack of written approval may
have given L & A cause to complain about the validity of the
assignment, this issue is not before us. In addition, it is
clear that at the time the assignment was completed, valid
written approval was given, thus, the subsequent withdrawal of
approval is of no moment to our analysis.
21
The final issue before us is whether Joslyn is entitled to
contribution from Koppers. To prevail on this issue, Joslyn must
first establish Koppers' liability under CERCLA.
To establish a prima facie case of liability in a CERCLA
cost recovery action, a plaintiff must prove: (1) that the
site in question is a "facility" as defined in § 9601(9);
(2) that the defendant is a responsible person under §
9607(a); (3) that a release or a threatened release of a
hazardous substance has occurred; and (4) that the release
or threatened release has caused the plaintiff to incur
response costs.
Amoco Oil Co. v. Borden, Inc., 889 F.2d 664, 668 (5th Cir.1989).
It is undisputed that the site in question is a facility as
defined in § 9601(9), that a release or threatened release has
occurred and that Joslyn has incurred response costs. Thus,
Joslyn's burden is to show that Koppers is a "responsible party"
under CERCLA and LEQA.
To be liable as a responsible party under CERCLA, Koppers
must fall into one of the categories set out in CERCLA section
107(a), 42 U.S.C. § 9607(a):
(1) the [present] owner and operator of ... a facility,
(2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous
substance owned or operated any facility at which such
hazardous substances were disposed of,
(3) any person who by contract agreement, or otherwise
arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a
transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of
hazardous substances owned or possessed by such person ...,
and
(4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous
substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities
or sites selected by such persons, from which there is a
release, or a threatened release which causes the incurrence
of response costs....
Similarly, LEQA imposes liability in solido on the following
22
persons:
All persons who have generated a hazardous substance
disposed of at the site, transported a hazardous substance
to the pollution source or facility, contracted to have a
hazardous substance transported to the pollution source or
facility, or disposed of a hazardous substance at the
pollution source or facility shall be presumed to be liable
in solido by the court for the cleanup of the site....
La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 30:2276 (West 1989). Under both statutes,
Koppers' liability depends on whether a disposal occurred during
its ownership of the site. The district court found that no
disposal occurred during Koppers' ownership of the site, and
therefore held that Koppers was not a responsible party under
either statute.
Joslyn makes two arguments that Koppers is a responsible
party. First, that Koppers' removal of various equipment from
the plant resulted in a "disposal" under Tanglewood East
Homeowners v. Charles-Thomas, Inc., 849 F.2d 1568 (5th Cir.1988).
Second, that regardless of Koppers' activities on the site,
Koppers took the property with knowledge of the environmental
problem and should not be able walk away from the problems on the
site. This argument is loosely based on CERCLA policy as set out
by the Fourth Circuit in Nurad, Inc. v. William E. Hooper & Sons
Co., 966 F.2d 837, 845-46 (4th Cir.1992), cert. denied sub nom.,
Mumaw v. Nurad, Inc., --- U.S. ----, 113 S. Ct. 377, 121 L. Ed. 2d
288 (1992).
A. Disposal by Removal of Equipment
In Tanglewood, we adopted the definition of disposal set
out in RCRA at 42 U.S.C. § 6903(3),
23
The term "disposal" means the discharge, deposit, injection,
dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or
hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such
solid waste or hazardous waste or any constituent thereof
may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or
discharged into any waters, including ground waters.
Tanglewood East Homeowners v. Charles-Thomas, Inc., 849 F.2d at
1573. In Tanglewood, we also recognized that "this definition of
disposal does not limit disposal to a one-time occurrence—there
may be other disposals when hazardous materials are moved,
dispersed, or released during landfill excavations and fillings."
Id.
The district court found:
The court finds that the evidence does not establish that
Koppers dismantled the entire treatment plant nor does it
establish that Koppers allowed any amount of hazardous
substances to be discharged onto the site because not a
single witness testified to facts of any spillage by
Koppers. Joslyn has simply failed to prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that Koppers owned or operated
the site at the time of disposal of toxins.
(emphasis in original). As stated above, factual findings of the
district court are reviewed under a clearly erroneous standard.
See F.D.I.C. v. McFarland, 33 F.3d 532, 536 (5th Cir.1994); see
also, AM Int'l, Inc. v. International Forging Equip. Corp., 982
F.2d 989, 998 (6th Cir.1993) (Whether there has been a disposal
under CERCLA is a question of fact to be decided by a district
court and to be reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard).
We must affirm the district court's findings unless we are left
with the firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been
made. Haber Oil Co. v. Swinehart (In re Haber Oil Co.), 12 F.3d
426, 434 (5th Cir.1994).
24
Having reviewed Joslyn's arguments and the relevant portions
of the record, we are unable to say that the district court's
conclusions were clearly erroneous. Joslyn's arguments go
primarily to the weight and credibility of certain evidence.
Weight and credibility assessments are within the province of the
trier of fact, and cannot, without more, constitute clear error.
B. Nurad v. William E. Hooper & Sons Co.
Joslyn cites Nurad for the proposition that Koppers is a
responsible party under CERCLA simply by virtue of being a past
owner of the contaminated property. Joslyn would have us read
Nurad to require a finding of liability regardless whether
Koppers introduced hazardous substances to the site or whether a
disposal occurred during Koppers ownership of the site. We do
not believe that Nurad's definition of disposal can be read so
broadly, and we decline to expand the Fourth Circuit's reasoning
to eliminate the disposal element of CERCLA liability.
1. Definition of Disposal
The Fourth Circuit recognized that disposal is a necessary
element of liability, but provided the following definition of
disposal.
[W]e hold that § 9607(a)(2) imposes liability not only for
active involvement in the "dumping" or "placing" of
hazardous waste at the facility, but for ownership of the
facility at a time that hazardous waste was "spilling" or
"leaking."
Nurad, Inc. v. William E. Hooper & Sons Co., 966 F.2d at 846.
Under this definition, the court found that a previous property
owner was liable—though it had not actively contaminated the
25
property—because mineral spirits were leaking from underground
storage tanks during its ownership of the property.
While we decline to decide whether this circuit should adopt
the Fourth Circuit's definition of disposal, Joslyn has failed to
show that any hazardous waste "leaked" or "spilled" during
Koppers' ownership of the property. The district court
specifically found that "There is no evidence that leaking or
spilling of hazardous substances occurred during Koppers' brief
period of ownership." Joslyn has provided no evidence which
would lead us to believe that this determination was clearly
erroneous.
2. Policy
Joslyn's final attempt at bootstrapping its claims under the
Nurad holding arises from the Fourth Circuit's exposition of the
policy behind CERCLA.
It is easy to see how the district court's requirement of
active participation would frustrate the statutory policy of
encouraging "voluntary private action to remedy
environmental hazards." Under the district court's view, an
owner could avoid liability simply by standing idle while an
environmental hazard festers on his property. Such an owner
could insulate himself from liability by virtue of his
passivity, so long as he transfers the property before any
response costs are incurred. A more conscientious owner who
undertakes the task of cleaning up the environmental hazard
would, on the other hand, be liable as the current owner of
the facility, since "disposal" is not a part of the current
owner liability scheme under 42 U.S.C. § 9607(a)(1). The
district court's view thus introduces the anomalous
situation where a current owner, such as Nurad, who never
used the storage tanks could bear a substantial share of the
cleanup costs, while a former owner who was similarly
situated would face no liability at all. A CERCLA regime
which rewards indifference to environmental hazards and
discourages voluntary efforts at waste cleanup cannot be
what Congress had in mind.
26
Id. at 845-46. Joslyn claims that to allow Koppers—a
sophisticated purchaser who knew of the contamination—to escape
liability in this situation would frustrate the purposes of
CERCLA as set out by the Fourth Circuit.
We decline to follow Joslyn's reasoning for two reasons.
First, as stated previously, to be found liable under the CERCLA
statutory scheme, a former owner must have owned the property
during a period when a disposal occurred. We have already
affirmed the district court's finding that a disposal did not
occur during Koppers ownership, and we decline to read the
disposal requirement out of the statutory scheme.
Second, an even larger policy consideration overshadows the
policy elucidated by the Fourth Circuit. In this instance,
unlike Nurad and the majority of cases on the subject, suit is
being brought by a former owner who is the primary contaminator
of the property. In Nurad, suit was brought by the current owner
who was not responsible for the contamination. To allow Joslyn
to recover under Nurad's policy—no avoidance of liability through
inaction—flies in the face of the polluter pays principle.
Joslyn—a nineteen year polluter of the site—is proposing a
scheme under which it could defray part of its clean-up cost by
passing the contaminated property through a series of innocent
landowners and then, when the contamination is discovered,
demanding contribution from each. Not only does this violate the
very policy that Joslyn purports to champion, but it would allow
a polluter to escape a portion of its liability by conveying the
27
property while ignoring the contamination which it caused. While
Congress determined to encourage clean-up by holding the current
landowner liable for the pollution regardless of fault and then
permitting contribution from past polluters, § 9607(a)'s disposal
requirement for prior landowners eliminates the legal legerdemain
that Joslyn is attempting.
We conclude as a matter of law that Joslyn has failed to
carry its burden of showing that a disposal occurred during
Koppers' ownership of the property. Koppers is not a CERCLA or
LEQA responsible party, and therefore not liable for any portion
of Joslyn's clean-up costs.
VI. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the holding of the district court
is AFFIRMED.
APPENDIX A
DATE PARCEL ONE PARCEL TWO
1935 Owned by Lincoln Owned by L & A
1938 April 30
Portions leased
to Lincoln
28
DATE PARCEL ONE PARCEL TWO
1942 June 11
Additional Portions
leased to Lincoln
1949 November 11
Additional Portions
leased to Lincoln
1950 August 1 August 14
Joslyn purchases Lincoln assigns its
leases to Joslyn
1955 January 15
Joslyn leases additional
portions of the parcel
1967 October 12
Joslyn leases additional
portions of the parcel
1969 December 1
Koppers purchases
1970 By agreement with L & A,
Joslyn assigns its 1967
lease to Koppers
1971 Myatt family purchases
29