CLARK, Circuit Judge:
Beginning about April 1, 1973, thirteen north Florida counties received a series of torrential rains resulting in flooding, crop damage, and property damage.
Ronald E. Payne, a farmer in one of the designated counties, brought a class action suit against the FmHA, United States Department of Agriculture, seeking injunctive relief to secure for himself and all similarly situated farmers in the area the right to apply for emergency loans.
The applicable FmHA regulations in effect during this initial loan application period included provisions prescribing notice of the availability of loans to eligible area farmers. The Code of Federal Regulations contained the following section:
7 C.F.R. sec. 1832.3(a)(1) (1973). The alleged failure of the agency to comply with the regulation is the gravamen of the original complaint.
Regarding announcement of the availability of emergency loans in designated disaster areas, Claude Greene, State Director of FmHA, issued notification to all county supervisors in the affected area.
The President's Office of Emergency Preparedness coordinated a week-long public meeting at the Live Oak, Florida, Coliseum in early June 1973. Various government agencies set up booths each manned by an agency representative for the purpose of supplying information regarding the available disaster relief programs.
The government contends that no loans were made during this period because of credit available elsewhere. However, many of these lenders, such as the Small Business Administration, did not extend loans for crop losses. Record Vol. 10 at 1071. The government also asserts that the actual damage sustained by area farmers was much less than originally estimated.
On January 2, 1974, the President of the United States signed Public Law No. 93-237,
The new regulation also stated that "State Directors will issue an instruction setting forth this information [regarding Public Law No. 93-237] for use in their respective states. State Directors and County Supervisors will inform the news media including newspapers, radio, and television in the affected counties of the provisions of P.L. 93-237." 39 Fed.Reg. 7570 (1974). On February 28, 1974, the state director issued a memorandum and sample press release to all county supervisors.
Inquiring into possible reasons or motivations for this failure to provide notice and, thus, ultimately to grant loans, we are acutely aware of the historical background of this case. The political climate of the early 1970s was one of considerable struggle between the executive and legislative branches of government. Congress appropriated monies for various programs and the executive branch refused to spend the funds on those it considered unwise. Several impoundment cases arose,
At the congressional hearings on Impoundment of Appropriated Funds by the President, then-Secretary Butz testified that in an effort to reduce spending his agency examined existing programs and withheld funds from those it found "least essential."
Following a bench trial in the instant case, the district court issued an order and opinion on February 11, 1981 finding that the notice of the emergency loan program was insufficient to comport with the applicable regulations providing that the state director and county supervisors "make such public announcements as appear appropriate." 7 C.F.R. sec. 1832.3(a)(1) (1973). The district court also found that specific types of notice provided for in the regulations were not effectuated. Id. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff and the recertified class with the court ordering the FmHA to reopen the 1973-74 emergency loan program
On appeal, the government contests the authority of the district court to reopen the emergency loan program and contends that the original public notice was sufficient. Upon review of these issues and the evidence presented, we affirm the district court.
Propriety of the District Court Remedy21
The government's primary position in this case is that the 90-day extension of Public Law No. 93-237 constitutes a legislatively enacted termination date of the benefits of 93-237 and as such deprives the agency of the authority to reopen the loan application process. Thus, assuming a failure to notify, the agency is left in the absurd position of arguing that it can disobey a congressional mandate to make loans available to eligible farmers but has no authority to make the loans in cases of inadequate notice of availability because Congress did not mandate an extension of time for those cases. The government maintains that since the statutory deadline for seeking assistance has long since expired, no statutory authority exists, as is needed, for making emergency loans under the terms of that program at this time. The government does not contend that funds are no longer available for these emergency loans,
Traditionally, the Secretary of Agriculture declared as a matter of policy the duration of application periods for emergency loans.
This "statutory" reopening of the application period was a result of contemporary changes in the disaster relief laws which caused public uncertainty as to the terms of emergency loans.
The materials cited above clearly demonstrate Congress' concern that the benefits of the emergency loan program be extended to all eligible farmers and that they have ample opportunity to derive benefits therefrom. The "statutory" deadline was inserted merely to insure agency adherence to congressional intent. That extension operated as a congressional demand to the Secretary of Agriculture to extend the application period.
The liability of the agency in this case is grounded in Congress' enactment of legislation directing the Department of Agriculture to implement the terms of the legislation, the agency's passage of implementing regulations, and the agency's failure to follow the resulting affirmatively required procedure. See generally United States ex rel. Accardi v. Shaughnessy, 347 U.S. 260, 74 S.Ct. 499, 98 L.Ed. 681 (1954); United States v. Heffner, 420 F.2d 809 (4th Cir.1970). An agency must follow its own procedure even though the procedure is more stringent than would constitutionally be required. Morton v. Ruiz, 415 U.S. 199, 235, 94 S.Ct. 1055, 1074, 39 L.Ed.2d 270, 293 (1974). The FmHA regulations in issue are not merely statements of agency policy. The notice provisions were all promulgated in the Code of Federal Regulations and constituted rules of procedure governing emergency loan programs legislated and funded by Congress. FmHA must adhere to those rules.
We reject FmHA's contention that Schweiker v. Hansen, 450 U.S. 785, 101 S.Ct. 1468, 67 L.Ed.2d 685 (1981) (per curiam), controls this case. In Schweiker v. Hansen, a Social Security employee erroneously informed an inquiring claimant of her ineligibility for government benefits, resulting in her failure to file an application. A written application was a prerequisite to receiving benefits. An internal claims manual instructed agents to recommend such a filing to uncertain inquirers. Upon
In Hansen, the claimant was negligent in failing to file an application and the agency employee was negligent both in failing to instruct her to file and in advising her of ineligibility. The present case is not an instance of a single government employee negligently failing to follow intra-office procedure and an agency nevertheless insisting on adherence to its regulations. This is not a case of a negligent plaintiff.
Having thus found the agency responsible for violating its own procedure as prescribed by law, relying on Ruiz, 415 U.S. at 235, 94 S.Ct. at 1074, Accardi, 347 U.S. at 268, 74 S.Ct. at 503, and Heffner, 420 F.2d at 811-12, and having held this not to be a case of negligence as in Hansen, Augusta Aviation, 671 F.2d at 449, and Federal Crop Insurance Corp. v. Merrill, 332 U.S. 380, 68 S.Ct. 1, 92 L.Ed. 10 (1947), we turn to the government's final contention.
Sufficiency of Notice
Appellants claim that notwithstanding their other contention, the district court committed reversible error in concluding that the notice transmitted by FmHA regarding its emergency loan program was legally insufficient. The government argues that notice was provided in the Federal Register, the appropriateness of the notice is committed to agency discretion and hence not judicially reviewable, and FmHA otherwise complied with the applicable regulations. Appellees assert that FmHA failed to comply with specific notice requirements imposed by regulation, the public announcements were inappropriate as a matter of law, and the notice was insufficient
At the time of publication of the disaster declaration,
The district court specifically found that "Defendants did not comply with the regulations requiring the giving of notice to State and County USDA Defense Boards and agricultural lenders in the community." Record Vol. 3 at 104. Several exhibits indicate that FmHA requested a meeting of Defense Board personnel to acquaint them with the availability of USDA assistance to disaster victims. Plaintiffs' Exhibits 12-15; Defendants' Exhibit 5. Such a request and subsequent meeting probably suffices to meet the directive that the State Director notify the USDA Defense Board Chairman. See 7 C.F.R. sec. 1832.3(a). Evidence exists, however, indicating that the notice given at this meeting stated only that applications should be filed by the July 30, 1973 deadline. A telegram clarifying the February 26, 1974 deadline for production losses was not received by the State Director until July 9, 1973 — some time after the meeting. Plaintiffs' Exhibit 17. As to the county supervisor's duty to notify the appropriate county USDA Defense Board Chairman, several county supervisors testified that they normally maintained contact with the USDA Defense Board and conversed regarding the emergency loan program information. Record Vol. 5 at 173-74; Vol. 9 at 935-37, 967. Several county supervisors also testified that they informed agricultural lenders in the area of the emergency loan program. Record Vol. 6 at 306; Vol. 9 at 936. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the local Federal Land Bank testified, however, that he was unaware of the FmHA emergency loan program and had he been aware would have applied for a loan for his disaster related losses. Record Vol. 8 at 586-609. Area farmers also testified that they borrowed money on less favorable terms from other lenders during this time period. Record Vol. 5 at 208, 231-32; Vol. 7 at 480-81, 504-05.
While agreeing that community agricultural lenders were without sufficient notice, this intra-agency/business notice pertains only peripherally to the issue on which we affirm the district court's finding of inadequate notice.
In light of FmHA's failure to comply with specific prescriptions for notice, we find it unnecessary to determine whether FmHA provided "such public announcements as appear appropriate" or whether in fact such a requirement is judicially reviewable.
In contrast to the procedure invoked by FmHA for disseminating notice of emergency loan availability, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) transmitted numerous detailed notices to the potential beneficiaries of their respective programs. SBA authored at least three extensive notices listing its program's specific terms which were sent to the available area media offices, including the Jacksonville UPI and AP offices, four television stations, and numerous newspapers and radio stations. Record Vol. 10 at 1060-65. ASCS used its ongoing system of monthly newsletters to inform farmers of its emergency program and would have allowed other agencies to use this source of notice if asked. Record Vol. 7 at 540-52; Vol. 9 at 882-85. Moreover, some testimony revealed the possible existence of a "sign-up" sheet emanating from the week-long disaster meeting coordinated by OEP which could have been utilized by FmHA in contacting interested area farmers.
Our review of the record convinces us that the district court was not clearly erroneous in its six pages of findings of fact and that it was correct in its ultimate conclusion of insufficient notice. See Marable v. H. Walker & Associates, 644 F.2d 390, 395 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981).
Motion to Intervene
James H. Collins, Jr., a Georgia farmer, sought to intervene in this suit individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated.
The timeliness of a motion to intervene is a question largely committed to the district court's discretion. Howse v. S/V "Canada Goose I", 641 F.2d 317 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981). The standard of review is abuse of discretion. Stallworth v. Monsanto Co., 558 F.2d 257 (5th Cir.1977). As in the instant case, courts often are reluctant to grant leave to intervene post-judgment. "Interventions after judgment have a strong tendency to prejudice existing parties to the litigation or to interfere substantially with the orderly process of the court." United States v. United States Steel Corp., 548 F.2d 1232 (5th Cir.1977).
After careful consideration of the arguments in support of intervention, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's denial of leave to intervene. The appeal decided today results from a case involving extensive discovery and lengthy litigation. The testimony relates almost solely to action or inaction by state and county officials in Florida. To allow the requested intervention would require exhaustive discovery to determine what information was disseminated in 27 states and Puerto Rico.
Accordingly, the district court order is
AFFIRMED.
FootNotes
Pub.L. No. 87-128, 75 Stat. 311 (codified as amended at 7 U.S.C. sec. 1961(b) (1973)).
Record Vol. 3 at 114.
Originally, appellant maintained plaintiff Ronald Payne's lack of standing to challenge the adequacy of notice and seek reopening of the loan program. See Brief for Appellant at 24-26. Appellant reasoned that because Payne had actual notice of the FmHA program and received a loan thereunder (see Complaint ¶¶ 14, 23, 25-32), he could demonstrate no injury in fact.
Plaintiffs then sought a limited remand for the purpose of entering an amended final judgment. This court granted appellees' motion for limited remand, Record Supp. Vol. 1 at 3, and the district court entered an amended final judgment adding a second named class representative to the list of prevailing plaintiffs. Record Supp. Vol. 1 at 4-5. Thus, we find the standing issue moot. (We note that the government apparently abandoned the standing issue. The government's reply brief on this issue placed great emphasis on the fact that at that time the parties seeking to intervene as named representatives had not sought to have the court amend its judgment to include them. The standing issue was not mentioned at oral argument.)
5 U.S.C.A. sec. 706 (1977).
Comment
User Comments