EPA's Powers Challenged in Supreme Court
Posted on: Tuesday, 21 February 2006, 12:00 CST
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in what reportedly might become a landmark case involving federal environmental powers.
At issue is the extent of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act -- is it limited to lakes and rivers or does it also include remote wetlands, The Christian Science Monitor reported Tuesday.
In dispute is the relationship between the CWA, as Congress created it, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rules that are designed to enforce the law.
The CWA act specifically extends federal authority to all navigable waters. The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers interpret that as meaning their authority under the CWA extends far upstream and even to waters with no hydrologic connection to a tributary of navigable waters, the Monitor said.
Opponents argue that interpretation would extend EPA powers to even a saturated residential lawn located near a storm drain. They say upstream properties should be governed by state regulations.
Proponents claim federal authority should extend far enough upstream to control water pollution.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- IBM Helps the Lower Colorado River Authority Improve Water and Energy Management in Central and South Texas
- Tioga County Creek Restored, Will Be Removed From Federal List of Impaired Waters
- Home Development Company Agrees to Settle Federal Lawsuit for Clean Water Act Violations
- New Federal Legislation Authorizes Innovative Partnerships for FDA's Critical Path Initiative
- Water Study Starts
- Airport authority says Nigeria plane gone down: CNN
- Federal Guidelines Favor Older Patients for Flu Vaccines
- Feds, Scientists Differ on Role for Community in Lejeune Water Study
- Water Worries
- Federal Agency Releases Sprinter Funds
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds