Opinion ID: 501878
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Sufficiency of Evidence

Text: 20 The government also contends that there was insufficient evidence to support the district court's implicit finding that there was an available market for all 804,650 tons of decomposed granite which was taken by the government and for which the district court awarded compensation. Essentially, the government argues that it presented overwhelming evidence that there was virtually no market for such material and that, therefore, the district court erred in awarding compensation for all of the decomposed granite based on a per ton royalty rate. 21 While the evidence on the record before this court is both somewhat speculative and conflicting, we cannot say that it is insufficient to support the district court's finding of a viable market for decomposed granite. Some speculation is inherent in any valuation of resource property. United States v. Silver Queen Mining Co., 285 F.2d 506, 510 (10th Cir.1960). Here, three witnesses testified that a market for the decomposed granite probably existed. From the record we find that these experts made a careful inquiry into the facts and a reasonable estimate of the market value of the subject property after examining all the relevant facts. United States v. 429.59 Acres of Land, supra, 612 F.2d at 462. It was properly the district court's function to assess the credibility of the witnesses before it. Id. We conclude, therefore, that the district court's finding of sufficient market demand for decomposed granite was not clearly erroneous. 22 Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.