Opinion ID: 884360
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Were the District Court's findings regarding the water-waste disposal system at Jim's Diesel clearly erroneous?

Text: Lutes takes issue with several of the District Court's findings of fact regarding the sump system. In particular, the District Court found that the Houdashelts had acquired the necessary permit before constructing the sump system; that the sump was in compliance with environmental regulations while the Houdashelts operated it; and that the sump worked properly until Lutes' misuse effectively broke it, causing in turn the subsequent pollution. In attacking these findings, Lutes cites the testimony of his expert as well as his own testimony in support of his contention that the sump system was not permitted and was, therefore, illegal since its installation. He also notes that his expert found contaminants in the leach line, which was used years before Lutes assumed the business. This, Lutes contends, proves that the sump system was pollutive and never worked correctly.