Opinion ID: 2100160
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Weber's Arguments.

Text: The district court's decree mandates that the buffer strips on both parcel 1 and parcel 2 shall contain prairie grasses that are deep-rooted with the alternative that Weber, at its discretion, may choose to only plant prairie grass on that half of the buffer strips closest to French Creek and plant bromegrass on the half of the buffer strips adjacent to his crop fields. Weber contends that it did not agree that bromegrass could not be utilized on the entire portion of both buffer strips. That practice, it urges, would constitute an acceptable conservation practice sufficient to satisfy the purposes of the mediated settlement agreement. When Weber objected to the proposed requirement for deep-rooted prairie grass cover for the buffer areas in the district court, that court received evidence concerning the relative conservation advantages of prairie grass over bromegrass. This data supports a finding that prairie grass is clearly preferable to bromegrass for the purposes of preventing runoff and erosion. It also established that bromegrass is not a type of prairie grass. The parties' agreement, as it was tape-recorded at the conclusion of the mediation session, expressly provided that a form of plant that is deep-rooted of a prairie variety which will maximize soil retention and water infiltration must be employed. [2] We are convinced that the district court's action in requiring the use of prairie grass was consistent with the agreement of the parties. The provisions in paragraphs 2 and 4 that authorize Weber at its discretion to plant bromegrass on that half of the buffer strips farthest removed from French Creek was inserted in the decree as the result of Sierra Club and the intervenor having proposed that disposition as an offer of compromise. Because Weber did not agree to this proposed compromise, the district court's inclusion of the partial bromegrass alternative in the decree seems to have treated Weber more favorably than it was entitled to be treated under the terms of the agreement that specifically called for prairie grass. However, because Sierra Club and the intervenor have not challenged the half bromegrass alternative, that provision of the decree will stand. Weber next argues that it did not agree to restrictions on harvesting forage from the buffer strips or restrictions against spreading manure thereon. In examining the record made with respect to whether bromegrass should have been allowed for the cover of the buffer areas, it appears that Weber's argument in the district court with respect to harvesting hay was directed entirely to the proposition that he should be permitted to plant the entire portion of both buffer areas in bromegrass. The record indicated that the deep-rooted prairie grasses required by the decree would not be suitable for forage in any event. If Weber elects the one-half bromegrass alternative, it is permitted to harvest the bromegrass from the buffer strips subject to the six-inch limitation provided in the decree. There is no express provision in the decree prohibiting it from cutting the prairie grass, but given the terms of the agreement, this may not be done if it disturbs the effectiveness of the buffer strip for purposes of preventing runoff and erosion. This is consistent with the parties' agreement. Although there is no express mention in the tape-recorded memorialization of the mediated agreement of a prohibition against the spreading of manure on the buffer strip required for parcel 1, to allow this to occur would clearly contravene the manifest purpose of requiring a buffer strip between areas where manure will be spread and the French Creek watershed. We believe such a prohibition is to be inferred from the context of the agreement and was properly included in the court's decree. The Restatement (Second) of Contracts speaks to this matter as follows: [T]he actions of the parties may show conclusively that they have intended to conclude a binding agreement, even though one or more terms are missing or are left to be agreed upon. In such cases courts endeavor, if possible, to attach a sufficiently definite meaning to the bargain. An offer which appears to be indefinite may be given precision by usage of trade or by course of dealing between the parties. Terms may be supplied by factual implication, and in recurring situations the law often supplies a term in the absence of agreement to the contrary. Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 33 cmt. a (1979). We believe this principle supports the district court's action in prohibiting the spreading of manure on the buffer area required for parcel 1 and, in addition, supports the restrictions against grazing on the buffer strips. Weber contends that it only agreed that manure from the confinement facilities subject to the litigation could not be spread in the prohibited areas and that the agreement was not intended to preclude the spreading of manure from other sources. We agree with the district court that to allow this to happen would be completely inconsistent with the purpose of the settlement agreement. Moreover, the tape-recorded memorialization of the agreement provides there will be no manure spread except to those areas east of section 24 and the home place. [3] We are unable to interpret this language as only referring to manure from the facilities involved in the litigation. As a final matter, Weber argues that the provision in paragraph 4 of the decree, which provides that the total 200 feet of buffer may include any grass areas located on land adjacent to the areas of Parcel No. 1 required to have a buffer strip unduly seeks to burden land owned by persons who are not parties to the agreement. This provision in the decree provides an opportunity for Weber to maximize its tillable acres by placing the buffer strips on adjacent land. Of course, this may only be accomplished with the consent of those who own the adjacent property. Those owners will only be burdened if they agree to the conditions that must be maintained for the buffer strips. If they do not agree, the strips must be placed on Weber's property.