Opinion ID: 71256
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: 2d at 269; Chem-Dyne, 572 F.Supp. at 810.

Text: While the divisibility defense to joint and several liability is frequently invoked in cost recovery actions brought under § 107(a), it is not a defense to a contribution action under § 113(f). In contrast to a § 107(a) action, a contribution claim under § 113(f) is a means of equitably allocating response costs among responsible or potentially responsible parties. See S.Rep. No. 11, 99th Cong., 1st Sess. 44 (1985). Thus, when one liable party sues another liable party under CERCLA, the action is not a cost recovery action under § 107(a). Rather, it is a claim for contribution under § 113(f). See United States v. Colorado & E.R. Co., 50 F.3d 1530, 1535-36 (10th Cir.1995); Amoco Oil Co. v. Borden, Inc., 889 F.2d 664, 672 (5th Cir.1989). Whereas joint and several liability is the rule for defendants in actions under § 107(a), courts in contribution cases may allocate response costs among liable parties. See 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f)(1). This could include allocating some response costs to the plaintiff. Since there is no joint and several liability among defendants in a contribution action, the divisibility defense has no relevance as a defense in these cases.32 As we noted at the outset of our discussion, Redwing's CERCLA claims against the Appellees are claims for contribution governed by § 113(f). This is true as well for the Appellees' CERCLA counterclaims. The divisibility defense is therefore not at issue in this case. Once the district court determines who are responsible parties under § 107(a), the next step under § 113(f) is to equitably allocate responsibility among the parties. Divisibility of the harm at the Saraland Site is not a prerequisite to making this allocation.