Opinion ID: 2028655
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Is the Decree Res Judicata?

Text: The res judicata effect of the Consent Decree also bars the current attack on the NPDES permit's PCB limitation, because the issues currently raised were directly at issue and determined by the Consent Decree, and because the Conards' interests were represented by existing parties to the decree. The doctrine of res judicata bars a later suit when an earlier suit resulted in a final judgment on the merits, was based on proper jurisdiction, and involved the same cause of action and the same parties or privies as the later suit. E.g., United States Envtl. Protection Agency v. City of Green Forest, 921 F.2d 1394, 1403 (8th Cir.1990), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112 S.Ct. 414, 116 L.Ed.2d 435 (1991). Under federal law, which governs the res judicata effect of a federal judgment, consent decrees generally are treated as final judgments on the merits and accorded res judicata effect. E.g., I.A.M. Nat'l Pension Fund v. Industrial Gear Mfg., 723 F.2d 944, 947 (D.C. Cir.1983). Such treatment promotes judicial economy, preserves certainty and respect for court judgments, and protects parties relying on prior litigation from vexatious relitigation. Id. Although the Conards and other concerned citizens were not actually parties to the Consent Decree, federal courts have held that judgments will bind such persons when their relationship with a party in the original suit is sufficiently close. Southwest Airlines Co. v. Texas Int'l Airlines, 546 F.2d 84, 94-95 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 832, 98 S.Ct. 117, 54 L.Ed.2d 93 (1977). In particular, citizens will be barred by res judicata from challenging consent decrees entered into by governmental authorities in parens patriae suits because the authorities are deemed to represent all their citizens. Green Forest, 921 F.2d at 1404 (EPA action to enforce Clean Water Act is a parens patriae action). Once a governmental authority represents all of its citizens in a parens patriae suit, a consent decree or final judgment resolving the suit `is conclusive upon those citizens and is binding upon their rights.' Id. (quoting United States v. Olin Corp., 606 F. Supp. 1301, 1304 (N.D.Ala. 1985)). Because the governmental parties to the Consent Decree, including the EPA, State of Indiana, Environmental Management Board, Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Monroe County Council, and Mayor of Bloomington, represented the local citizens in the litigation, the Consent Decree is binding on the Conards. Res judicata bars the Conards from now attacking the PCB level established by the decree. We grant Westinghouse's petition for transfer, reverse the decision of the trial court, and reinstate the decision of the Water Pollution Control Board. DeBRULER, DICKSON, and KRAHULIK, JJ., concur. GIVAN, J., dissents with separate opinion.