Opinion ID: 568017
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: TAPAA's Implicit Repeal of the Limitation Act

Text: 8 The sole issue in this appeal is whether, in enacting TAPAA, Congress implicitly repealed the Limitation Act with regard to the transportation of trans-Alaska oil. The Supreme Court has outlined the types of implicit repeal: 9 [There are] two well-settled categories of repeals by implication--(1) where provisions in the two acts are in irreconcilable conflict, the later act to the extent of the conflict constitutes an implied repeal of the earlier one; and (2) if the later act covers the whole subject of the earlier one and is clearly intended as a substitute, it will operate similarly as a repeal of the earlier act. 10 Radzanower v. Touche Ross & Co., 426 U.S. 148, 154, 96 S.Ct. 1989, 1993, 48 L.Ed.2d 540 (1976) (quoting Posadas v. National City Bank, 296 U.S. 497, 503, 56 S.Ct. 349, 352, 80 L.Ed. 351 (1936)) (emphasis added). In each of the two categories the intention of the legislature to repeal must be clear and manifest. Id. This court has indicated that, [r]epeals by implication ... are not favored and will only be found when 'the new statute is clearly repugnant, in words or purpose, to the old statute....'  Grindstone Butte Project v. Kleppe, 638 F.2d 100, 102 (9th Cir.), (quoting United States v. Georgia-Pacific Co., 421 F.2d 92, 102 (9th Cir.1970)), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 965, 102 S.Ct. 505, 70 L.Ed.2d 380 (1981). 11 The second type of implicit repeal is inapplicable in the instant case because TAPAA does not cover the entire subject addressed by the Limitation Act. TAPAA establishes strict liability for damages caused by the transportation of trans-Alaska oil, while the Limitation Act operates generally to limit vessel owner liability. Therefore, resolution of the issue in this appeal rests on an analysis of the first category of repeals. We must determine whether TAPAA and the Limitation Act are in irreconcilable conflict with regard to the transportation of trans-Alaska oil. Radzanower, 426 U.S. at 154, 96 S.Ct. at 1993. 12 Trinidad does not argue that TAPAA and the Limitation Act are completely in harmony and capable of independent operation. Instead, Trinidad concedes that TAPAA irreconcilably conflicts with the Limitation Act to the extent of the owner's initial $14,000,000 of strict liability. Its position is that the $14,000,000 liability attaches regardless of the Limitation Act, but that thereafter the Limitation Act operates in full force. Under this theory, assuming that Trinidad qualifies for Limitation Act coverage, its liability in the instant case would be $14,000,000 plus the post-accident value of the Glacier Bay and any pending freight. 13 Trinidad's position that TAPAA only partially repeals the Limitation Act has general support, as it is clear that an implicit repeal need not be absolute. The Supreme Court has indicated that,  'when two statutes are capable of coexistence, it is the duty of the courts ... to regard each as effective.'  Radzanower, 426 U.S. at 155, 96 S.Ct. at 1993 (quoting Morton v. Mancari, 417 U.S. 535, 551, 94 S.Ct. 2474, 2483, 41 L.Ed.2d 290 (1974)). Therefore, when two statutes are partially in conflict, [r]epeal is to be regarded as implied only if necessary to make the [later enacted law] work, and even then only to the minimum extent necessary. Silver v. New York Stock Exchange, 373 U.S. 341, 357, 83 S.Ct. 1246, 1257, 10 L.Ed.2d 389 (1963). 14 At the outset, we consider the effect of TAPAA's introductory paragraph. Section 1653(c)(1) prescribes that, [n]otwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the owner of a vessel carrying trans-Alaska oil and the Fund shall be strictly liable without regard to fault in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.... 43 U.S.C. § 1653(c)(1). Section 1653(c)(1) is the general statement of liability, and as such it introduces the subsequent subsections which contain TAPAA's operational details. 15 While some courts have found notwithstanding phrases to preempt explicitly the application of other laws, see, e.g., Complaint of Hokkaido Fisheries Co., Ltd., 506 F.Supp. 631, 634 (D.Alaska 1981) (holding that similar notwithstanding language in the Clean Water Act preempted application of Limitation Act to limit owner's liability for clean-up costs), we do not find the phrase dispositive in this case. In §§ 1653(c)(3) and (8), TAPAA refers to other applicable state or federal laws for the adjudication of claims in excess of $100,000,000 and of subrogation rights, respectively. 43 U.S.C. §§ 1653(c)(3), (8). The Limitation Act may be one of the other laws to which §§ 1653(c)(3) and (8) refer, and the notwithstanding phrase by itself sheds no light on whether the Limitation Act is one of these other applicable laws. Indeed, in practical terms, whether or not the Limitation Act is one of the other applicable laws is the important question in this appeal. If the Limitation Act applies to §§ 1653(c)(3) and (8), it would act to shield the vessel owner from any liability in excess of $14,000,000 plus the value of the vessel and pending freight. This is essentially Trinidad's position on appeal. 16 Because the notwithstanding phrase does not itself indicate whether Congress intended to repeal the Limitation Act, we must focus on the conflict between TAPAA and the Limitation Act. It is clear that TAPAA is a comprehensive liability scheme, which includes, as necessary elements, both strict liability and negligence principles. The vessel owner and the Fund must initially pay $100,000,000 of liability regardless of fault. This strict liability provision ensures that trans-Alaska oil spill victims receive prompt compensation without resort to prolonged litigation. 17 However, in TAPAA, Congress did not simply create a strict liability statute. Congress did not intend the owner and Fund to pay for damages caused by either the unseaworthiness of the vessel or negligence. It therefore included the subrogation section, allowing, for example, the Fund to seek reimbursement of its strict liability contribution from the owner in the event that owner negligence caused the spill. The effect of the subrogation section is clearly to provide those involved in the transportation of trans-Alaska oil an incentive to operate in a safe manner. TAPAA ensures that, in the end, liability for a trans-Alaska oil spill is placed on the party in the superior position to prevent the damage. 18 We are convinced that TAPAA's strict liability scheme is dependent on the subsequent negligence principles. TAPAA is intended to operate as a whole, not as independent parts. After an oil spill, innocent victims receive prompt compensation. Then, the parties involved with the transportation of the spilled oil and the Fund litigate fault. Ultimately, the costs of the spill are borne by the responsible party. Only in the event of a spill caused by, for example, an act of God, would the distribution of liability end with the initial strict liability payment. The comprehensive nature of TAPAA cannot be overemphasized. 19 With this understanding of TAPAA's scheme, we now come to a consideration of the Limitation Act. Simply stated, the Limitation Act is contrary to every goal of TAPAA. It allows vessel owners virtually to eliminate liability for catastrophic damages. Application of the Limitation Act to any aspect of TAPAA would frustrate completely TAPAA's comprehensive remedial nature. Congress, in enacting TAPAA, was clearly concerned about the ability of existing laws to compensate innocent victims of a disastrous trans-Alaska oil spill. 9 We can only conclude that TAPAA was designed to supersede any conflicting law; by TAPAA's nature, it was intended to become the controlling statute with regard to trans-Alaska oil. TAPAA's scheme, including both the strict liability and negligence principles, was intended to operate without limitation. Because this scheme is in irreconcilable conflict with the Limitation Act, we hold that TAPAA implicitly repealed the Limitation Act with regard to the transportation of trans-Alaska oil. 20 Our finding that TAPAA repealed the Limitation Act must be supported by the clear and manifest intent of Congress. Radzanower, 426 U.S. at 154, 96 S.Ct. at 1993. We find such intent in this case. There is no ambiguity as to the nature of the remedial scheme Congress enacted in TAPAA, and that scheme simply cannot work if the Limitation Act is allowed to operate concurrently. The Limitation Act is contrary to every aspect of TAPAA, and therefore, with regard to the transportation of trans-Alaska oil, it must be deemed implicitly repealed.