Laserfiche WebLink
that the MP CA did not authorize the response action(s) taken by the political subdivision or the <br />private person pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 1 l 5 B. o, subd. 6. <br />MERA <br />Minnesota also has a Minnesota nvirom- rental Fights. Act "M RA" ,Flinn. Stat. H <br />116B.Ol,etseq. This statute allows "civil action in the district court for declaratory or equitable <br />relief in the name of the state of Minnesota against any person, for the protection of the air, water, <br />Land., or other natural resources located within the state, whether publicly or privately owned, from <br />pollution, impairment, ent, or destruction." Minn Stat. § 116 . 0 3. A claim under I I RA depends upon <br />shoving ofactual or threatened pollution, impairment or destruction.. The statute allows injunctive <br />relief, but not damages, and does not provide for recovery of attorneys' fees. <br />Common Law Claims <br />Various common law claims can be. invoked in some circumstances. Typical claims include <br />cl.ai ms for nuisance, trespass., neg.ligence,. strict liability for uItraha ardous activities; contribution. or <br />indemnity. These common law claims do not. materially augment the available claims or remedies <br />and are largely superseded by the statutory claims mentioned above. However, if there is litigation, <br />parties customarily invoke such claims in addition to the statutory claims mentioned above. <br />Statutes of Limitation <br />We have not looked closely enough at the facts to evaluate the application of potential <br />statutes of limitation. However, we do not believe that most available claims would be cut -off. <br />In general, if there is an ongoing imminent and substantial endangerment, RCRA claims will <br />be available, because the statute of limitations will not cut off ongoing claims. <br />CERCLA claims are likewise generally available where the response actions remain <br />incomplete. Claims for a removal action are to be brought within 3 years after completion of the <br />removal action and claims for a. remedial action must be brought within 6 years. after initiation of <br />physical on -site construction of the remedial action. It does not appear, from information we have <br />received, that the Cite has conducted a removal action or initiated a remedial action.. So, the statute <br />of limitations is unlikely to have expired. <br />MERLA claims for cost recovery are probably available. A 1998 . amendment to Minn. Stat. <br />115.11, specifies: <br />Subdr 2. Action for recovery of costs.. <br />(a) An action for recovery of response costs under section 115 B. o may be <br />commenced any time after costs and expenses have been incurred but must be <br />commenced no later than six years after initiation of physical on -site construction of <br />a response action.." <br />5 <br />