Surat Farms v. Brule Cty. Bd. of Comm'rs , 2017 SD 52 ( 2017 )

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2017 S.D. 52IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
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SURAT FARMS, LLC, Plaintiff and Appellant,
v.
BRULE COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS, Defendant and Appellee,
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APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
BRULE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
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THE HONORABLE BRUCE V. ANDERSON
Judge
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THOMAS W. CLAYTON
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorney for plaintiff and
appellant.
DAVID J. LARSON
JESSICA HEGGE of
Larson Law, PC
Chamberlain, South Dakota Attorneys for defendant and
appellee.
****
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON APRIL 24, 2017
OPINION FILED 08/30/17
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ZINTER, Justice
[¶1.] Albert Delany filed a drainage complaint with Brule County alleging
that Surat Farms LLC (Surat) was partially blocking drainage of an intermittent
watercourse. Delany contended that the blockage caused water to back up onto his
adjacent property. The Brule County Board of Commissioners (Board) held a
hearing and found that Surat impermissibly altered the watercourse. Surat
appealed the Board’s decision, and the circuit court, after de novo review, affirmed.
Surat appeals. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[¶2.] Delany and Surat own adjacent farmland located near the Bijou Hills
in Brule County. A natural watercourse flows through both properties. It enters
Delany’s property from the south and continues northeast until it enters a culvert
that runs underneath 352nd Avenue, which divides Delany’s and Surat’s land. As
the water exits the culvert, it empties onto Surat’s property, where it naturally
continues northeast along the watercourse for some distance.
[¶3.] In 2013, Surat hired a contractor to install drain tile under a field on
its side of 352nd Avenue. The contractor installed a subsurface inlet immediately
beyond the culvert’s outlet. The subsurface inlet was covered by crushed rock and
dirt. Surat’s contractor testified that the inlet enabled water to slowly percolate
into the drain system, but the inlet did not directly accept surface water.
[¶4.] Delany claimed that in 2014, underground water began entering his
basement on his property. Unsure of the source of the problem, he filed a drainage
complaint against both Surat and Gary Dozark, an upstream landowner. A county
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drainage official inspected the properties. She observed cattails, reeds, dead brush,
and trees on Delany’s property that she believed might be impeding water flow into
the culvert. Delany cleared the blockages but continued to experience water
backup.
[¶5.] Consequently, Delany filed a second complaint. He also hired Brosz
Engineering to prepare a site map and determine elevations on the properties.
Brosz found a gradual downslope as the water passed through both properties. The
water entered Delany’s property at an elevation of 1,761.4 feet; it left Delany’s
property and entered into the culvert inlet at 1,760.34 feet; it left the culvert’s outlet
at 1,760.02 feet; and it was deposited onto Surat’s property at an elevation of 1,760
feet. Although these elevations confirmed a downslope in the natural drainage,
Brosz found an approximate 15-inch rise in elevation (1761.25 feet) just beyond the
culvert’s outlet where the crushed rock and dirt was placed for Surat’s drain system.
That was the place where it is alleged that Surat’s tiling project caused water to
back up onto Delany’s land.
[¶6.] The Board inspected the properties and held a hearing. Counsel
appeared on behalf of both parties and presented evidence. 1 In its findings of fact
and conclusions of law, the Board found that Surat’s project “altered the natural
flow of the water” running from Delany’s land to Surat’s land. The Board “required
1. Although Surat’s drain tile system was a focus at the hearing, Surat refused
to provide the Board with information regarding the construction and size of
the drain system it had installed on its property. It also appears that it had
not obtained a permit to install the drain tile.
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[Surat] to take appropriate action to restore the natural flow of water . . . or
otherwise assure [sic] the drainage of the Delany property accordingly.”
[¶7.] Surat appealed the Board’s decision to the circuit court. The court
conducted a de novo review of the Board’s decision. The court visited the site, made
observations, and considered both witness and documentary evidence. The court
found that the soil elevation near the drain tile inlet was acting as a dam, backing
up water onto Delany’s land. The court also found that the minimal differences in
elevation along the watercourse meant that even a minor backup of water could
significantly impact an upstream landowner. Finally, the court found Delany
credible when he testified that the backed-up water had rendered portions of his
land unsuitable for calving and haying. Therefore, the court “affirmed [the Board’s
decision] in all respects.”
[¶8.] Surat appeals, 2 raising two issues. It first contends that the circuit
court erred in finding that Surat’s tiling project impermissibly altered the
2. This action began with a complaint filed by Delany against Surat. Following
the Board's ruling in favor of Delany, Surat appealed to the circuit court,
naming the Board as the appellee. The Board responded, moving to dismiss
the appeal because the Board had only acted in a quasi-judicial capacity and
Surat failed to join Delany who was the real party in interest. The record
suggests that the motion concerning the proper parties on appeal was
abandoned. The motion was not pursued, Delany appeared at trial, and the
Board’s counsel defended the Board’s decision. Following the circuit court’s
decision in favor of Delany, Surat then appealed to this Court. Again, Delany
was not named as the real party in interest. Similarly, the Board, through
its counsel, defended the circuit court’s decision in favor of Delany.
Appeals involving county commissioner decisions should be taken in the
names of the parties whose interests are at stake. Lyman Cty. v. Bd. of
Comm’rs of Lyman Cty., 14 S.D. 341, 345, 85 N.W. 597, 598 (1901). That is
because in some county commission appeals “the commissioners have no
(continued . . .)
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watercourse. Alternatively, Surat contends that if the watercourse was
impermissibly altered in some respect, the court erred in finding that Delany
suffered the causally-related damages he claimed.
Standard of Review
[¶9.] Surat appealed to the circuit court under SDCL 7-8-27, which provides
that “[f]rom all decisions of the board of county commissioners . . . there may be an
appeal to the circuit court by any person aggrieved[.]” SDCL 7-8-30 provides that
“[a]ll appeals thus taken to the circuit court shall be . . . heard and determined de
novo.” This Court’s cases have not consistently stated the deference required by
reviewing courts under “de novo” reviews of board of county commissioner decisions.
On one hand we have said that a “court should determine anew the question . . .
independent of the county commissioner’s decision.” Goos RV Ctr. v. Minnehaha
Cty. Comm’n, 2009 S.D. 24, ¶ 8, 764 N.W.2d 704, 707. In such cases, the court “[i]n
effect . . . sits as another board[.]” Chicago & N.W. Ry. Co. v. Schmidt, 85 S.D. 223,
227, 180 N.W.2d 233, 235 (1970). On the other hand, we have stated that the
circuit court should not sit in replacement as a one-person board. See In re
Conditional Use Permit Denied to Meier, 2000 S.D. 80, ¶ 22, 613 N.W.2d. 523, 530.
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(. . . continued)
more interest in its result than has the judge of the circuit court in the result
of appeals from decisions in [the judge’s] court.” Id. Further, the failure to
properly appeal can result in an unlawful adjudication of another person’s
interest without notice or opportunity to be heard. See id. At all times in
these proceedings, the litigation has remained a real dispute between two
landowners concerning their respective drainage rights. Further, unlike
Lyman County, there is no indication that the unnamed real party in interest
(Delany) lacked notice and opportunity to be heard. Therefore, we entertain
the appeal.
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Rather, the circuit court may only review the propriety of the action, which is a
much more deferential standard involving the question whether the Board’s
decision was arbitrary and capricious. See Goos RV Ctr., 2009 S.D. 24, ¶¶ 9-14, 764
N.W.2d 704, 707-09.
[¶10.] We have recently resolved the issue regarding the level of deference
required to be given to non-judicial entities when the Legislature has prescribed de
novo review of their decisions. See S.D. Dep’t of GF&P v. Troy Twp., 2017 S.D. 50___ N.W.2d ____. Applying Troy Township in this case, we first must determine
whether the Board’s resolution of the drainage complaint was a “quasi-judicial”
matter. If so, then de novo review is appropriate. Id. ¶ 24, ___ N.W.2d at ____. If
not, then review is limited to “the question . . . whether the [Board] ‘acted
unreasonably, arbitrarily, or . . . manifestly abused [its] discretion.’” Id. (quoting
Dunker v. Brown Cty. Bd. of Ed., 80 S.D. 193, 203, 121 N.W.2d 10, 17).
[¶11.] Here, the Board’s task—an adjudication of a land-drainage dispute
between two landowners—was quasi-judicial. It involved a land dispute between
neighbors, a dispute that could have been “determined as an original action in the
circuit court.” Id. ¶ 21, ___ N.W.2d at ___; accord Knodel v. Kassel Twp., 1998 S.D.
73, ¶ 10, 581 N.W.2d 504, 508 (holding that in cases where an upstream landowner
casts excess water over a downstream landowner’s property, “[a]ctionable injury
may occur if increases in volume or rate cause flooding or erosion.”). Because the
Board’s resolution of this drainage dispute was a quasi-judicial matter, the circuit
court correctly reviewed the Board’s decision anew.
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[¶12.] A different standard applies to our review of the circuit court’s
decision. We apply the clearly erroneous standard to factual findings by the circuit
court. Tisdel v. Beadle Cty. Bd. of Comm’rs, 2001 S.D. 149, ¶ 5, 638 N.W.2d 250,
252. “Under [that] standard, we do not analyze ‘whether this Court would have
made the same finding that the trial court did,’ but rather we look at ‘whether on
the entire evidence we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake
has been committed.’” Id. ¶ 5, 638 N.W.2d at 252-53 (quoting In re Estate of Roehr,
2001 S.D. 85, ¶ 4, 631 N.W.2d 600, 601). Conclusions of law are given no deference
and are reviewed de novo. City of Aberdeen v. Rich, 2003 S.D. 27, ¶ 9,
658 N.W.2d 775, 778.
Decision
[¶13.] Surat first argues it did not impermissibly alter the natural flow of the
watercourse. Surat relies on the “reasonable use” rule in surface-water drainage
law. It claims that under that rule it was “legally privileged to make reasonable use
of its land, even though the flow of the surface waters is altered and causes some
harm to [Delany].” See First Lady, LLC v. JMF Props., LLC, 2004 S.D. 69, ¶ 11,
681 N.W.2d 94, 99. Surat contends that under a balancing of the applicable
“reasonable use” factors enumerated in First Lady, it was entitled to construct and
operate its drainage system even though the flow of surface waters were altered and
caused harm to Delany. See id.[¶14.] The Board, however, contends that the “civil law rule” applies. Under
that rule, the downstream property is burdened “with an easement under which the
dominant, or upper property owner may reasonably discharge surface water over
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the servient estate through natural watercourses.” Knodel, 1998 S.D. 73, ¶ 10,
581 N.W.2d at 507. Therefore, under that rule, “[a] lower property owner cannot
interfere with the natural flow of surface water to the detriment of an upper
property owner.” Id. ¶ 10, 581 N.W.2d at 508.
[¶15.] The rule that governs depends on whether the drainage occurs on rural
or urban property. “For rural surface water drainage, South Dakota follows the
civil law rule,” Hendrickson v. Wagners, Inc., 1999 S.D. 74, ¶ 10, 598 N.W.2d 507,
510, and “for urban drainage of surface water, this Court has adopted the
‘reasonable use’ rule.” Strong v. Atlas Hydraulics, Inc., 2014 S.D. 69, ¶ 22, 855
N.W.2d 133, 142. The civil rule controls here because this case involves rural
property over which natural surface water backed up due to alterations on the
surface. Because the civil rule applies, Surat’s claim of privilege to construct a
drain system that dams surface water and floods an upstream property is without
merit.
[¶16.] Surat alternatively argues that, factually, any increased elevation on
its land preexisted installation of the drain system. Surat contends that except for
Delany’s testimony, “the record contains not one iota of evidence that Surat’s tiling
caused the 15 inch jump” obstructing the watercourse. Surat also contends its
evidence demonstrated a preexisting elevation. Surat specifically contends that: (1)
according to its drain tile contractor, installation of the drain tile caused minimal
alteration of the soil—the contractor smoothed the land “to its original condition”
after placing the drain tile; (2) a contour map, prepared by the tile contractor prior
to installation of the drain tile, can be interpreted to suggest that the increased
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elevation preexisted the contractor’s work; and (3) aerial photographs taken prior to
installation of the drain tile show some water pooling on both sides of the culvert.
Surat argues this evidence establishes that the drain system did not alter the
natural flow of the watercourse.
[¶17.] But Surat’s evidence was far from compelling. The aerial photographs
indicated that the watercourse flowed from the culvert in years prior to 2013, but
the image from 2015 shows the damming complained of by Delany. Although the
contour map prepared by Surat’s tile contractor could be interpreted to suggest that
some variations in elevation preexisted Surat’s tile work, the map was prepared by
an interested witness. Moreover, the map’s utility was questionable in light of
contrary evidence, including Delany’s testimony and the circuit court’s own
observations of the land. Most importantly, the contractor himself qualified much
of his claim of “no increased elevation” as mere presumptions. He conceded that the
backup of water could be occurring in the area in question; and he only opined that
if there were any changes to the topography, it was not caused by his work given his
efforts to level the land “back out to where it was before we got there.” Finally,
considering the relatively flat slope of the land in that area, any unnatural increase
in elevation caused by the drain inlet construction would cause the backup of water.
[¶18.] Surat’s evidence creates a dispute of fact regarding the 15-inch
increase in elevation. But “[t]he trier of fact is the exclusive judge of the credibility
of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony,” and “all conflicts in the
evidence must be resolved in favor of the trial court’s findings.” Century 21 Assoc.
Realty v. Hoffman, 503 N.W.2d 861, 864 (S.D. 1993). Here, the circuit court was
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best positioned to evaluate the conflicting evidence, and our review of the record
evidence does not leave us with a “definite and firm conviction that a mistake has
been committed.” Tisdel, 2001 S.D. 149, ¶ 5, 638 N.W.2d at 253. The circuit court
did not clearly err in finding that Surat impermissibly altered the watercourse.
[¶19.] Surat finally argues that even if installation of the drain system
altered the watercourse’s natural flow, Delany did not suffer the damages he
claimed to his basement and land. More specifically, Surat claims that if its drain
system backed up water, the blockage did not cause the water to appear in Delany’s
basement or make his land unsuitable for calving or haying. Surat further claims
that even if there was some backup of water, under First Lady and Feistner v.
Swenson, 368 N.W.2d 621 (S.D. 1985), Delany must have shown more than just
“some harm”: he must have shown “serious damage.”
[¶20.] We first address Surat’s factual contention that there was no water in
Delany’s basement or flooding of his land. Surat makes a “physics” argument,
claiming that it would be physically impossible for any blockage at the inlet’s
elevation to produce a big enough pool to enter Delany’s basement at its elevation.
Surat points out that its subsurface drain inlet was at an elevation of 1,760 feet,
and the ground floor of Delany’s home was at an elevation of 1,774 feet. Assuming
Delany’s basement was 8 feet beneath this latter elevation, Surat argues that a pool
of water from the subsurface drain inlet would have to rise 8 feet and “defy the laws
of physics” to reach Delany’s basement. But Surat did not introduce hydrological
evidence of the subsurface showing how water moves underground in that
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particular area. Without such evidence, there is no conclusion to be drawn solely
from the relative elevations of the subsurface drain inlet and Delany’s basement.
[¶21.] Surat’s authorities also fail to support his legal argument that it had
the right to back up water. Neither First Lady nor Feistner considered the extent of
harm an upstream owner must tolerate from the backup of water caused by a
downstream owner. Both cases concerned the amount of drainage the downstream
estate must accept before the upstream estate’s change in discharge is prohibited.
Additionally, Feistner did not hold that natural drainage rights include the right to
flood a neighboring property. On the contrary, we specifically stated that even a
dominant owner’s right to discharge does not include the right “to affect [a]
neighbor’s land in some way other than the way in which it had been affected
before.” Feistner, 368 N.W.2d at 623.
[¶22.] With respect to how the water impacted Delany’s cropland, Surat
argues that the only evidence of calving or haying on Delany’s property came from
outdated photos taken in the 1980s and that much of Delany’s cropland was in the
conservation reserve program (CRP) for the last ten years. However, Delany
provided contrary evidence. He testified that the rangeland around the drainage
area was not in CRP. He also testified that he was able to hay the land around the
drainage area prior to Surat’s installation of drain tile. Thus, there was conflicting
evidence on this point, and the court’s findings were not clearly erroneous.
[¶23.] Ultimately, Surat misconstrues the relief that was awarded below.
Although Surat argues that Delany was not entitled to damages for basement
flooding and hay loss, Delany was not awarded such damages. The Board and the
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circuit court only ordered enforcement of the drainage easement Delany held on
Surat’s land. See Knodel, 1998 S.D. 73, ¶ 10, 581 N.W.2d at 508 (holding that
upstream landowners possess an easement over downstream estates to discharge
surface water over the servient estate through natural watercourses). And the
Board—and in turn, the circuit court— only required Surat to “take appropriate
action to restore the natural flow of water across [its land] or otherwise assure [sic]
the drainage of the Delany property accordingly.” This was appropriate injunctive
relief. See Riha v. FirsTier Bank, 539 N.W.2d 632, 792 (Neb. 1995) (“The flow of
water cannot be interfered with by a lower proprietor to the detriment of the upper
proprietor. The proper remedy in water drainage disputes is an injunction.”).
[¶24.] The evidence supports the circuit court’s finding that Surat’s drain
system improperly interfered with Delany’s drainage rights, and the court did not
err in awarding injunctive relief. We affirm.
[¶25.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and SEVERSON and KERN, Justices,
and WILBUR, Retired Justice, concur.
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