Opinion ID: 852986
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ripeness for Declaratory Judgment

Text: The Declaratory Judgments Act is to be liberally construed, Indiana Code section 34-14-1-12 (1998), and allows for an interested party whose rights, status, or other legal relations are affected by a statute . . . [to] have determined any question of construction or validity arising under the . . . statute . . . and obtain a declaration of rights, status, or other legal relations thereunder. Ind.Code § 34-14-1-2 (1998). IDEM claims that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction because there was neither an actual controversy nor the ripening seeds of a controversy. Specifically, IDEM argues that because it has made no determination concerning whether the waters at issue are within its regulatory jurisdiction, Twin Eagle presents a hypothetical case inappropriate for a declaratory judgment. We disagree. Although the Indiana state courts are not subject to a constitutional requirement of a case or controversy similar to that imposed by Article III of the federal constitution, Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Wills, 717 N.E.2d 151, 154 n. 2 (Ind.1999), the Declaratory Judgments Act requires a justiciable controversy or question. Little Bev. Co. v. DePrez, 777 N.E.2d 74, 83 (Ind. Ct.App.2002). The controversy requirement is met when a case presents the ripening seeds of a controversy. Id. We have long taken the view that where . . . the claims of the several parties in interest, while not having reached that active stage, are nevertheless present, and indicative of threatened litigation in the immediate future, which seems unavoidable, the ripening seeds of a controversy appear. Owen v. Fletcher Sav. & Trust Bldg. Co., 189 N.E. 173, 177, 99 Ind.App. 365, 374 (1934) (citations omitted). Twin Eagle has challenged the validity of a process which affects its ability to discharge dredged and fill materials on its property. The validity of the interim process, not merely its ultimate outcome, is one major issue in this litigation, and in Twin Eagle's ability to use its property as it wishes. Even if the administrative process may be resolved in favor of Twin Eagle, Twin Eagle's claim, if valid, could obviate the need to go through the process. As such, the claim presents a genuine controversy that was properly brought to the trial court. Therefore, Twin Eagle's challenge of the validity of the interim process was proper under the Declaratory Judgments Act.