IN RE GOLD KING MINE RELEASE IN SAN JUAN COUNTY

No. 1:18-md-02824-WJ, No. 16-cv-931-WJ-LF.

669 F.Supp.3d 1146 (2023)

IN RE: GOLD KING MINE RELEASE IN SAN JUAN COUNTY, COLORADO, ON AUGUST 5, 2015. This Document Relates to: No. 1:18-md-02824-WJ, No. 16-cv-931-WJ-LF.

United States District Court, D. New Mexico.

Filed April 12, 2023.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Andrew Homer , Pro Hac Vice, Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP, La Jolla, CA, Cholla Khoury , New Mexico Attorney Genderal's Office, Santa Fe, NM, Jennifer Barks , Lana Rowenko , William James Jackson , John D.S. Gilmour , Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Houston, TX, Samuel C. DeFillippo , Marcus J. Rael, Jr. , Robles, Rael and Anaya, P.C., Albuquerque, NM, for State of New Mexico in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Andrew K. Walsh , Pro Hac Vice, Joseph Crusham , Lauren Johnson , Shannon Marie Coit , Spencer Schmider , Moez M. Kaba , Pro Hac Vice, Hueston Hennigan LLP, Los Angeles, CA, John C. Hueston , Pro Hac Vice, Hueston Hennigan LLP, Newport Beach, CA, Paul Spruhan , Navajo Nation Department of Justice, Window Rock, AZ, for Navajo Nation in Nos. 1:18-md-02824, 16-cv-931.

Jeffrey Scott Trespel , Will Ferguson & Associates, Albuquerque, NM, Mark A. Cox , Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood LLC, Santa Fe, NM, for Joanna McDaniel in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ronnie McDaniel in No. 1:18-md-02824, Carolyn Emerson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Joseph Emerson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Michael Pratt in No. 1:18-md-02824, Deborah Pratt in No. 1:18-md-02824, Danny Booher in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rosemary Hart in No. 1:18-md-02824, Georgia Wilson in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Mark A. Cox , Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood LLC, Santa Fe, NM, for Riley Garnanez in No. 1:18-md-02824, Laverne Nakai in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ramona Pettigrew in No. 1:18-md-02824, Gary Smith in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jerome Smith in No. 1:18-md-02824, Eva Tso in No. 1:18-md-02824, John Tso in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Peter Hsiao , Pro Hac Vice, King & Spalding LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Spencer E. Austin , Utah Attorney General's Office, Murray, UT, for State of Utah in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Brian F. Egolf, Jr. , Katherine M. Ferlic , Mark A. Cox , Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood LLC, Santa Fe, NM, for Joe C. Allen in No. 1:18-md-02824, Carol Anagal in No. 1:18-md-02824, Cheryl Armenta in No. 1:18-md-02824, Duane Aspaas in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wilford Atson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Hilda Baldwin in No. 1:18-md-02824, Aaron Barber in No. 1:18-md-02824, Daisy Barber in No. 1:18-md-02824, Louise Henderson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Paul Barber in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roger Barber in No. 1:18-md-02824, Andy Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Arlene Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Bernita Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Betty Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Caroline Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Charlene Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Elizabeth Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Helen Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jacqueline L. Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jonah Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Judy Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marylita Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sandra Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Virginia Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wayne Begay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Etta Begaye in No. 1:18-md-02824, Richard Begaye in No. 1:18-md-02824, Laurence Bekise in No. 1:18-md-02824, Robert Bekise in No. 1:18-md-02824, David Ben in No. 1:18-md-02824, Timothy Ben in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ernest Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harry Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jeannie Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Max Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Nina Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rose Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Steve Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Susan Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wanda Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Shirley Bia in No. 1:18-md-02824, Vernida Bissonette in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lorraine Black in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mable Black in No. 1:18-md-02824, Taylor Black in No. 1:18-md-02824, Annie BlueEyes in No. 1:18-md-02824, Scott Brady in No. 1:18-md-02824, Andrew Brewster in No. 1:18-md-02824, Darlene Bronston in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jackson Bunny in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sammy Charley in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wilma Charley in No. 1:18-md-02824, Darrell Clah in No. 1:18-md-02824, Benjamin Clark in No. 1:18-md-02824, Stella Cly in No. 1:18-md-02824, Doris Coolidge in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wilbert Cowboy in No. 1:18-md-02824, Alfred Curley in No. 1:18-md-02824, Don Curley in No. 1:18-md-02824, Melvin Curley in No. 1:18-md-02824, Martha Curtis in No. 1:18-md-02824, Kee Dan in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rachel Dee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Davidson Devore in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lucy Dick in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marlene Dobey in No. 1:18-md-02824, Elton Dodge in No. 1:18-md-02824, Tommy Draper in No. 1:18-md-02824, Cecil Duncan in No. 1:18-md-02824, Thurston Eddie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Herman Enoah in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mary Enoah in No. 1:18-md-02824, Vernese Esplain in No. 1:18-md-02824, Allen E. Etsitty in No. 1:18-md-02824, Bertha A. Etsitty in No. 1:18-md-02824, Huron Etsitty in No. 1:18-md-02824, Janice Frank in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sarah Frank in No. 1:18-md-02824, Gene Fred in No. 1:18-md-02824, Loren Garnanez in No. 1:18-md-02824, Julie Harrison in No. 1:18-md-02824, Margaret Harrison in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sherrell G. Mesa in No. 1:18-md-02824, Hubert Harwood in No. 1:18-md-02824, Anita Hayes in No. 1:18-md-02824, Perry Hayes in No. 1:18-md-02824, Robert Hayes in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wallace Hayes in No. 1:18-md-02824, Joanne Holliday in No. 1:18-md-02824, Daisy Houser in No. 1:18-md-02824, Helen Howard in No. 1:18-md-02824, Irita James in No. 1:18-md-02824, Garry Jay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mary Jay in No. 1:18-md-02824, Daniel Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Darrell Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Fannie Marie Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Charley Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Geneva Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jonah Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sheila Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Virginia Jim in No. 1:18-md-02824, Elsie Joe in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lita Joe in No. 1:18-md-02824, Frank John in No. 1:18-md-02824, Anne Johnson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harrison Johnson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jessie Johnson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jean Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lena J. Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, Raymond Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, Renita T. Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, The Estate of Leon Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wesley Jones in No. 1:18-md-02824, Darren Kee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Juanita Kee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Francine Kiefert in No. 1:18-md-02824, Florence B. King in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marlena King in No. 1:18-md-02824, Terri Lameman-Austin in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harry Lane in No. 1:18-md-02824, Gloria Lane in No. 1:18-md-02824, Emerson Lee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Leonard Lee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marie Lee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roselyn Lee in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rowena Littlehat in No. 1:18-md-02824, Carmelita Lowe in No. 1:18-md-02824, Cynthia Madison in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mary Ann Manygoat in No. 1:18-md-02824, Esther Mark in No. 1:18-md-02824, Gerald Maryboy in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rosina T. Merritt in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ron Miller in No. 1:18-md-02824, Laura M. Mitchell in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marilyn Mustache in No. 1:18-md-02824, Anthony Nabahe in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harry S. Nakai in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jimmy Nakai in No. 1:18-md-02824, Byron Nelson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Tonita Nelson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ruth Nez in No. 1:18-md-02824, Annie Oldman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Raymond Oldman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harry Peshlakai in No. 1:18-md-02824, Thomas Pete in No. 1:18-md-02824, Raymond Pettigrew in No. 1:18-md-02824, Charles Phillips in No. 1:18-md-02824, Charles D. Phillips in No. 1:18-md-02824, Dorothy Phillips in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mary J. Phillips in No. 1:18-md-02824, Shandie Pioche in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sarah Police in No. 1:18-md-02824, Esther Reddoor in No. 1:18-md-02824, Cecilia Wallace in No. 1:18-md-02824, Phillip Rentz in No. 1:18-md-02824, Perfina Rockwell in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ronnie Ross in No. 1:18-md-02824, The Estate of Wayne Saltwater in No. 1:18-md-02824, Larry B. Sam in No. 1:18-md-02824, Bobby Sandoval in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lula Sandoval in No. 1:18-md-02824, Susie Scott in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roger Sherman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Bessie Shorthair in No. 1:18-md-02824, Wade Shorthair in No. 1:18-md-02824, Christina Silentman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roger L. Simpson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sarah Slowman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Eric Smallcanyon in No. 1:18-md-02824, Teddy Smallcanyon in No. 1:18-md-02824, Rose Ann Tanner in No. 1:18-md-02824, Bessie Tesswood in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lewis Todacheene in No. 1:18-md-02824, Herbert Todacheenie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Irene Todacheenie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roselyn Toledo in No. 1:18-md-02824, Helen Tom in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sarah A. Tony Benally in No. 1:18-md-02824, Mary Tso in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ivan Tyler in No. 1:18-md-02824, Thomas T. Tyler in No. 1:18-md-02824, Phyllis Valdez in No. 1:18-md-02824, Anna Vigil in No. 1:18-md-02824, Johnson Washburn in No. 1:18-md-02824, Roselyn Watchman in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lenora Williams in No. 1:18-md-02824, Herbert Willie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lena Willie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Raymond G. Willie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Esther A. Yanito in No. 1:18-md-02824, Alice D. Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Calvin Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Earl D. Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Irvin Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Jay Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Lorenzo Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Marie Yazzie.

Mary Emily Splitek , Colorado Attorney General's Office, Denver, CO, for State of Colorado in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Katherine M. Ferlic , Mark A. Cox , Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez + Harwood LLC, Santa Fe, NM, for Benny Duncan in No. 1:18-md-02824, Ellie Horse in No. 1:18-md-02824, Norman Jim, Jr. in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sylvia Kelewood in No. 1:18-md-02824, Kimberly Young in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sylvia Lee in No. 1:18-md-02824, George Sisco, III in No. 1:18-md-02824, Sharon White in No. 1:18-md-02824, Abraham Hobson in No. 1:18-md-02824, Beverly Hunt in No. 1:18-md-02824, Pearl Todachinnie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Harriet Yazzie in No. 1:18-md-02824, Frances Coolidge in No. 1:18-md-02824, Tony Tallis in No. 1:18-md-02824, Evevia Nez in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Alan D. Greenberg , U.S. Department of Justice, Denver, CO, Albert Lai , John A. Bain , Michael Williams , USDOJ, Washington, DC, Brian H. Lynk , U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Defense Section, Washington, DC, for United States Environmental Protection Agency in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Brian H. Lynk , U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Defense Section, Washington, DC, for Gina McCarthy in No. 1:18-md-02824, Environmental Protection Agency in No. 16-cv-931.

Brett Ingerman , Pro Hac Vice, Meagan Marie Pace , DLA Piper LLP, Baltimore, MD, Christopher Dacus , David R. Rutan , Pro Hac Vice, Michael L. Smith , Pro Hac Vice, Rory Miller , Pro Hac Vice, James T. Grant , Richard Buckner , Robert James Lee , Terry D. Avchen , Pro Hac Vice, Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Peter Sheridan , Pro Hac Vice, Christensen, Weil, Fink, Howard LLP, Los Angeles, CA, E. Blaine Rawson , John A. Adams , Ray Quinney & Nebeker, Salt Lake City, UT, Justin R. Sawyer , Moses, Dunn, Farmer & Tuthill, P.C., Albuquerque, NM, Michael F. Menicucci , Calvert Menicucci PC, Albuquerque, NM, for Environmental Restoration, LLC in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Adam G. Rankin , Bradford C. Berge , Jules Elese Angelley , Pro Hac Vice, Holland & Hart, LLP, Santa Fe, NM, Craig D. Galli , Holland & Hart LLP, Salt Lake City, UT, Jill H. Van Noord , Pro Hac Vice, Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, CO, Steven G. Jones , Lane & Nach, PC, Phoenix, AZ, for Kinross Gold Corporation in No. 1:18-md-02824, Kinross Gold USA, Inc. in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Adam G. Rankin , Bradford C. Berge , Jules Elese Angelley , Pro Hac Vice, Holland & Hart, LLP, Santa Fe, NM, for Kinross Gold Corporation in No. 16-cv-931, Kinross Gold USA, Inc. in No. 16-cv-931.

Bradford C. Berge , Holland & Hart LLP, Santa Fe, NM, for Sunnyside Gold Corporation in No. 16-cv-931.

Bradford C. Berge , Holland & Hart LLP, Santa Fe, NM, Jared Michael Le Fevre , Pamela C. Garman , Pro Hac Vice, Christopher Clark Stoneback, I , Pro Hac Vice, Jeffery J. Oven , Pro Hac Vice, Crowley Fleck PLLP, Billings, MT, Neil G. Westesen , Pro Hac Vice, Crowley Fleck PLLP, Bozeman, MT, Mark L. Stermitz , Pro Hac Vice, Crowley Fleck PLLP, Missoula, MT, for Sunnyside Gold Corporation in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Alan D. Greenberg , U.S. Department of Justice, Denver, CO, Albert Lai , Caroline Stanton , John A. Bain , Michael Williams , Nicholas Morales , David Jonathan Hammack , Rosemary Yogiaveetil , Tsuki Hoshijima , U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, Michael Zevenbergen , Ruben Gomez , Stefan Bachman , DOJ-Enrd, Poc Lisa Daniels , Washington, DC, Brian H. Lynk , U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Defense Section, Washington, DC, Brett Ingerman , Pro Hac Vice, Meagan Marie Pace , DLA Piper LLP, Baltimore, MD, Michael F. Menicucci , Calvert Menicucci PC, Albuquerque, NM, Roberto D. Ortega , U.S. Attorney's Office — ABQ District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, for United States of America in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Brian Molzahn , Pro Hac Vice, Hall & Evans, LLC, Denver, CO, Darin J. Lang , Asheville, NC, Ryan P. Atkinson , Strong & Hanni, Salt Lake City, UT, for Harrison Western Corporation in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Darin J. Lang , Asheville, NC, for Harrison Western Corporation in No. 16-cv-931.

Brett Ingerman , Pro Hac Vice, Meagan Marie Pace , DLA Piper LLP, Baltimore, MD, Jeffrey J. Wechsler , Louis W. Rose , Kari E. Olson , Kaleb W. Brooks , Matthew J. Armijo , Shelly Lynn Dalrymple , Montgomery & Andrews, P.A., Santa Fe, NM, Michael F. Menicucci , Calvert Menicucci PC, Albuquerque, NM, for Weston Solutions, Inc. in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Lindsay A. Lovejoy , Law Office of Lindsay A. Lovejoy Jr., Santa Fe, NM, for Salem Minerals, Inc. in No. 1:18-md-02824, San Juan Corp. in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Alan D. Greenberg , U.S. Department of Justice, Denver, CO, for Scott Pruitt in No. 1:18-md-02824.

Gold King Mines Corporation, Pro Se.

John Does, Pro Se.

Sunnyside Gold Corporation, Pro Se.

Brett Ingerman , Pro Hac Vice, Meagan Marie Pace , DLA Piper LLP, Baltimore, MD, David Jonathan Hammack , Rosemary Yogiaveetil , U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, Michael Zevenbergen , Ruben Gomez , Stefan Bachman , DOJ-Enrd, Poc Lisa Daniels , Washington, DC, Brian H. Lynk , U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Defense Section, Washington, DC, Michael F. Menicucci , Calvert Menicucci PC, Albuquerque, NM, for United States of America in No. 16-cv-931.

Brett Ingerman , Pro Hac Vice, Meagan Marie Pace , DLA Piper LLP, Baltimore, MD, Christopher Dacus , David R. Rutan , Pro Hac Vice, Michael L. Smith , Pro Hac Vice, Rory Miller , Pro Hac Vice, James T. Grant , Richard Buckner , Robert James Lee , Terry D. Avchen , Pro Hac Vice, Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Peter Sheridan , Pro Hac Vice, Christensen, Weil, Fink, Howard LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Justin R. Sawyer , Moses, Dunn, Farmer & Tuthull, P.C., Albuquerque, NM, Michael F. Menicucci , Calvert Menicucci PC, Albuquerque, NM, for Environmental Restoration, LLC in No. 16-cv-931.


MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART WESTON SOLUTIONS, INC.'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT TO DISMISS THE NAVAJO NATION'S TORT DAMAGE CLAIMS AS PREEMPTED BY CERCLA

THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Weston Solutions...

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