Court Opinion

ID: 9843045
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 02:25:16.930373+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:14:26.949656
License: Public Domain

WELLFORD, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I would find in this case, in view of the entry of a guilty plea submitted by defendant Bogas, and as testified by the plaintiff’s expert, that very high HNU readings were obtained from a number of barrels buried in the pit and exhumed by a proper *370order of the EPA. It is also undisputed that significant organic and potentially toxic wastes were in the air at the site requiring workmen to wear masks and protective equipment. Defendant, it must be remembered, pled guilty to “unauthorized release of hazardous waste into the environment,” (emphasis added) and to making “false statements to a government agency.” I cannot agree with the factual recitation by the majority that the existence of foundry sand nearby the site “would filter out whatever contaminants might otherwise have gone into a nearby water course.” It was Dr. Coburn’s opinion that foundry sand fill would “significantly filter” hazardous materials which might flow through in the Abrams Creek watercourse area. We do not know whether contaminants were entirely cleaned out or not. Dr. Coburn could not say whether or not any “significant amount of contamination” resulted from an over-all perspective. I cannot agree, furthermore, from the proof, and the guilty plea, that there was no “possible damage” to anyone’s water supply as a consequence of defendant’s actions.
I concur fully in the conclusion that it was clear error for the district court to find “no actual environmental contamination.” In the first place, defendant’s guilty plea conceded release of hazardous waste into the atmosphere and the surrounding soil (“the environment”). Furthermore, it was erroneous of the district court not to acknowledge that undisputed proof established a basis for that guilty plea even though no actual harm may have been demonstrated, or even have been detectable, at the time of the sentence hearing. There was unquestioned serious risk of harm to the environment, and to persons involved in the clean-up, by reason of defendant’s admitted actions in causing the release.
I further agree that the burden is upon the defendant to establish a basis for any downward adjustments to the offense level and any departure from guideline levels. United States v. Silverman, 889 F.2d 1531, 1535 (6th Cir.1989); United States v. Brewer, 899 F.2d 503 (6th Cir.1990). “Subsection (b)(1) (U.S.S. 6 § 2Q12(b)(1)) assumes a discharge or omission into the environment resulting in actual environmental contamination.” (Commentary application Note 5, emphasis added). The district court was in error in equating “actual” with “significant” contamination.
I am fully in agreement with the majority determination of clear error in the district court’s findings about cost of the required clean-up. A six-figure total is, indeed, indicated, and it was simply wrong for the district court to disregard the estimates of cost furnished by EPA and city officials to do the job. I would emphasize that any reference to a departure in this case is simply in explanation of the potential alternatives available to the district court on remand primarily in deciding an appropriate base offense level in this case. Departure from prescribed sentencing level must also be substantially and clearly justified by the district court. See United States v. Brewer, supra. In sum, our decision and remand for further sentencing should not be interpreted in any fashion as indicating that a downward departure would be either appropriate or reasonable.