Opinion ID: 1155424
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: deq and immunity

Text: Appellants argue that even if Count I of their complaint was properly dismissed because section 901 only provides a civil penalties cause of action for the attorney general, then they were instead suing on a theory of common law negligence seeking civil penalties. This alternative theory is raised for the first time on appeal and was not pled in the complaint. Counsel's use of this new theory on appeal is neither supported by the record, logic or the law. Negligence must be specifically pled, and, even when it is, the remedy is civil damages not civil penalties. An additional barrier exists with respect to appellants' alleged common law negligence action against the DEQ. In Wyoming, state governmental entities are generally immune from tort liability. City of Laramie v. Facer, 814 P.2d 268 (Wyo. 1991). The Wyoming Governmental Claims Act provides the exclusive avenue for a negligence remedy against a state governmental entity. Dee v. Laramie Co., 666 P.2d 957, 958 (Wyo.1983); Wyo.Stat. § 1-39-101 et seq. (1988 & Supp.1991). The Governmental Claims act requires timely submission of a claim to the specific governmental entity before bringing suit on the claim. Dee, 666 P.2d at 958. Assuming for purposes of argument that appellants' claim would fall into one of the exceptions to the general immunity of the Act, appellants failed to submit a claim to DEQ before filing suit as required by the statute. [8] No claim appears in the record. Therefore, were we to accept the proposition that appellants were pursuing a common law negligence action although they had not pled it in their complaint, such an action would be procedurally barred under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act. Counts II and III of the complaint were made pursuant to Wyo.Stat. § 35-11-902: (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected, may commence a civil action on his own behalf to compel compliance with this act only to the extent that such action could have been brought in federal district court under Section 520 of P.L. 95-87, as that law is worded on August 3, 1977: (i) Against any governmental entity, for alleged violations of any provisions of this act or of any rule, regulation, order or permit issued pursuant thereto, or against any other person for alleged violations of any rule, regulation, order to permit issued pursuant to this act; or (ii) Against the state of Wyoming, department of environmental quality, for alleged failure of the department to perform any act or duty under this act which is not discretionary with the department. (b) Actions against the state of Wyoming, department of environmental quality, pursuant to this section shall be filed in the district court for Laramie county. Actions against any governmental entity, or any other person pursuant to this section shall be filed in the district court for the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. (c) No action pursuant to this section may be commenced: (i) Prior to sixty (60) days after the plaintiff has given notice in writing of the violation and of his intent to commence the civil action to the department and the alleged violator, except that such action may be brought immediately after such notification if the violation complained of constitutes an imminent threat to the health or safety of the plaintiff or would immediately affect a legal interest of the plaintiff; or (ii) If the department, through the attorney general, has commenced a civil action to require compliance with the provisions of this act, or any rule, regulation, or permit issued pursuant to this act, but in any such action any person may intervene as a matter of right. (emphasis added). [9] Sections 901 and 902 provide for very distinct legal remedies. Section 901 is designed to allow the attorney general to seek civil penalties against those who violate portions of the Act. [10] Section 902 is a citizen suit provision which allows private citizens to litigate in order to accomplish compliance with the Act. Although a citizen may sue under section 902, he can only seek to compel compliance with the Act and may not seek damages. In Counts II and III, which were both filed under section 902, appellants requested civil penalties or punitive damages. From the plain language of section 902, civil penalties are not available under section 902 and, therefore, Counts II and III were properly dismissed. Appellees were entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the section 902 claims. The section 902 portions of the complaint also requested that DEQ and Rissler be required to comply with the permitting process   . Rissler was proceeding under the ten-acre exemption and was not required to comply with the permitting process; therefore, the complaint was properly dismissed. Appellants' complaint also requested Rissler's application for permission to mine under the 10 acre exemption    be declared null and void and in violation of that statute and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith   . Again, appellants have misunderstood the requirements of the Act. Under the ten-acre exemption an operator is required to notify the land quality division of the department of environmental quality of the location of the land to be mined before commencing operations. Wyo.Stat. § 35-11-401(e)(vi). The statute required Rissler to provide DEQ with notice, which had been done. There are no facts which appellants did or could allege that would change our finding on this matter of law. The district court was also correct concluding that even if the section 902 count was proper it was improperly venued against DEQ and thus deprived the district court of jurisdiction. Section 902 requires that any action brought against DEQ to compel compliance must be brought in Laramie County. Wyo.Stat. § 35-11-902(b) (1988). The action against DEQ was filed in Natrona County and was, therefore, improperly venued. Noncompliance with clear statutory requirements deprives the court hearing the case of subject matter jurisdiction or the ability to issue a valid judgment. Matter of TRG, 665 P.2d 491, 498 (Wyo.1983). Therefore, the portion of the action against DEQ was not properly before the Natrona County District Court and was properly dismissed as a matter of law. Even if appellants sought the proper type of relief, they failed to follow the notice requirements. The statute requires the party seeking relief to provide the department and the violator with notice of its intention to file suit sixty days before filing suit. Wyo.Stat. § 35-11-902(c)(i) (1988); Belle Fourche Pipeline Co. v. Elmore Livestock Co., 669 P.2d 505, 510-11 (Wyo. 1983). Appellants sent notice to DEQ of their intention to file suit on November 12, 1990, and sent a second notice on November 27, 1990. Appellants filed their complaint on November 15, 1990; therefore, the notice sent by appellants did not satisfy the statutory notice requirements. [11]