Opinion ID: 1169781
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Midvale Pollution and the Underlying Litigation

Text: Between approximately 1908 and 1971, UV Industries, Inc., previously known as U.S. Smelting, Refining, & Mining Co., was engaged in ore milling operations at a 260-acre site in Midvale, Utah. During this time, UV Industries milled and refined ores of copper, lead, and zinc at the Midvale property. The residues, or tailings, of these processes were pumped from the mill and piled or impounded at various locations throughout the site. In total, ten million tons of tailings were generated and dumped in piles up to fifty feet high. In 1971, all milling operations at the site ceased, but the tailings remained on the site in the same uncontained piles in which they originally were dumped. In 1979, UV Industries conveyed most of its assets, including the Midvale property, to Sharon Steel Corporation. UV Industries was subsequently dissolved, and all remaining assets were transferred to the Liquidating Trust. Between 1984 and 1986, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that the Midvale property posed an imminent danger to the public health and environment owing to the actual or threatened release of hazardous substances from the toxic mine tailings on the property. The EPA subsequently initiated an action in federal district court against UV Industries, the Liquidating Trust, and Sharon Steel alleging liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901-6992, for costs arising from the cleanup of the hazardous substances at the Midvale property. United States v. Sharon Steel Corp., No. 86-C-924J (D. Utah filed Oct. 10, 1986). This action was subsequently consolidated with a second action, entitled United States v. Sharon Steel Corp., Civil Action No. 89-C-136 (D. Utah filed Feb. 10, 1989), [1] which also asserted liability against UV Industries, the Liquidating Trust, and Sharon Steel for the cleanup of a slag site on the Midvale property. [2]