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District Court Misapplied the Clean Hands Doctrine in Farm Case

Court Says Single Cotenant Could Not Terminate Inherited Farm Lease

Value of Family Farm Now Included in FAFSA Application

Federal Agencies Publish New WOTUS Rule after Supreme Court Ruling

On September 8, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) published a revised definition of “waters of the United States” or WOTUS. 88 FR 61964. To conform with the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Sackett v. EPA, 143 S. Ct. 1322 (2023) ruling, the agencies made various changes including the removal of the “significant nexus” standard and amending the definition of “adjacent.” The new rule went into effect September 8, 2023. Because the revision was required to make the Rule comply with the Sackett decision, no notice and opportunity for public comment was necessary.

Landowner Fails to Prove Ten Year Requirement in Boundary Dispute

After disagreements over the boundary line between two neighbors occurred, the plaintiffs brought this lawsuit alleging boundary by acquiescence and adverse possession. The trial court found that the plaintiffs had maintained the 8.5-foot strip of land and ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. On appeal, the court found that the plaintiffs only began maintaining the disputed area six years earlier when the defendants purchased the adjoining parcel. Because the plaintiffs did not meet the statutory ten-year requirement for either claim, the Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s ruling.

Boundary by Acquiescence Claim Requires “Still Known and Definite” Line

On August 9, 2023, the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed that a boundary by acquiescence was established between a farm and neighboring homeowner. The parties treated a fence as the boundary line for over ten years. Even though a homeowner later tore the fence down, the boundary line was still clearly marked from farming activities. Therefore, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s finding in favor of the plaintiffs.

Fourth Circuit Analyzes EPA Regulatory Authority under Clean Water Act

A commercial fishing business harvested shrimp by dragging nets along the ocean floor. The nets would trap other marine animals in addition to the shrimp. The fishermen would throw this “bycatch” back into the ocean. A conservation group brought a citizen-suit under the Clean Water Act (CWA) claiming that the company violated the CWA by 1) disturbing the sediment when it dragged nets along the ocean floor and 2) throwing the bycatch back into state waters bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The district court granted the fishing company’s motion to dismiss. On appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the court affirmed.

Federal Circuit Affirms Missouri River Restoration is Per Se Taking of Farmland

On June 16, 2023, the Federal Circuit for the Court of Appeals affirmed that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work to restore the Missouri River to its natural condition caused intermittent flooding and constituted a per se taking of farmland. The court determined that because the intermittent flooding would continue into the future, it was a permanent flowage easement and therefore a taking. The court also reversed the trial court’s denial of damages for destroyed crops. It held that lost crops were not a consequential damage of the taking, but a separate compensable property interest. 

Iowa Law Now Allows Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Raw Milk

Beginning July 1, 2023, Iowa producers can sell raw milk within the state under certain conditions. SF 315 provides requirements for the production, sale, and testing of raw milk, raw milk dairy products, and raw milk products. Previously, only Grade “A” pasteurized milk and milk products could be sold. Iowa Code § 192.103 (2022). Before selling raw milk, producers should carefully consider the specific restrictions under the law and potential liabilities.

Refusing Delivery of Soybeans Repudiated Contract

Injured Driver Must Prove Livestock Owner Failed to Use Ordinary Care

A semi-truck collided with a cow standing on the interstate. The driver brought a negligence lawsuit against the livestock owner claiming that he suffered personal injuries and property damage. The district court determined that the driver failed to prove that the livestock owner breached a duty of care. On appeal, the court affirmed that there was insufficient evidence that the owner failed to use ordinary care to constrain the animal.

Helping Neighbor with Livestock Not Included in Iowa’s Domesticated Animal Activity Liability Shield

District Court Challenges to Carbon Pipeline Survey Access

Deadline for ERP Phase 2 and PARP Applications is July 14

Decedent’s Delinquent Income Taxes Are Debts Against the Estate

To collect $106,898 of unpaid income taxes from the estate of Francis Glaser, the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDOR) sought to set aside Glaser’s predeath transfers of real estate to his friend. The Iowa Supreme Court held that fraudulent conveyances may only be voided to the extent necessary to pay the debts and charges of the estate. Iowa Code § 633.368. On remand, the friend argued that income taxes are not a debt of the estate. The Court of Appeals disagreed and found that the properties could be sold to satisfy the estate’s debts including IDOR’s claim. However, any remaining funds or unsold properties must be returned to the decedent’s friend.

Iowa Court Says Common Ownership Does Not Extinguish Boundary by Acquiescence

Equalization Payments in Will Prevailed Over Testator’s Intent for Equal Treatment of Beneficiaries

2023 Legislative Session: Bills Impacting Agriculture

During Iowa’s 2023 Legislative Session that ended Thursday, May 4, legislators passed a number of bills impacting agricultural producers and rural landowners. Read more for a review of the highlights.

U.S. Supreme Court Restricts Federal Jurisdiction over Wetlands

Court Affirms Executor Did Not Trigger Will’s No-Contest Clause