Document: 445 U.S. 193 100 S.Ct. 1093 63 L.Ed.2d 312 CROWN SIMPSON PULP COMPANY et al.v.Douglas M. COSTLE, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. No. 79-797. March 17, 1980. PER CURIAM. 1 Pursuant to § 301 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Act), as added by Amendments 1972, 86 Stat. 844, and amended Clean 1977, 91 1582, 33 U.S.C. 1311 (1976 ed. Supp. II), Agency (EPA)1 promulgates regulations limiting amount effluent that can be discharged into navigable waters from a category or class point sources pollution. Requirements for particular plants mills are implemented through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. EPA issues NPDES permits directly except in those States authorized issue their own programs. §§ 402(b), 402(c) Act, 1342(b), 1342(c) II). is notified actions taken state permit-issuing authorities may veto issuance any permit objecting writing within 90 days. 402(d)(2), 1342(d)(2) ed., This case presents question whether EPA's action denying variance disapproving restrictions contained issued an agency reviewable United Court Appeals under 509(b) 892, 1369(b).2 2 Petitioners operate bleached kraft pulp-mills which discharge pollutants Pacific Ocean near Eureka, Cal. In 1976, they sought California Regional Resources Board, North Coast Region (Regional Board).3 The Director IX Enforcement Division objected proposed Board. direct review Ninth Circuit. 3 Those proceedings were stayed pending State Board (State Board). set aside orders new stead. App. Pet. Cert. It granted petitioners' requests variances limitations4 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) pH, but established alternative limitations BOD pH apply disapproved denied requested vetoed extent exempted petitioners full compliance with limitations. brought Circuit, was consolidated had individually filed earlier.5 4 dismissed petitions lack jurisdiction. 599 F.2d 897 (1979). concluded it no jurisdiction 509(b)(1)(E) 1369(b)(1)(E), provides courts appeals "approving promulgating limitation other . ." found this subsection inapplicable since did not approve promulgate anything when rejected permit. F.2d, at 902. Further, court applied affecting categories rather than decisions only. Ibid. 5 also lacking 509(b)(1)(F) 1369(b)(1)(F), "in issuing [§ 402 Act] ."6 recognized where itself administers program, unquestionably appeals. 903. However, because its present more authority. decision Washington v. EPA, 573 583 (1978) (Scott Paper), state-issued constitute "issuing denying" therefore clothe 6 District Judge Renfrew, sitting designation, concurred majority's analysis 509(b)(1)(E), agreed foreclosed Scott Paper. 905. believing Paper wrongly decided, urged take en banc order consider overruling decision. He argued vesting would best comport congressional goal ensuring prompt resolution challenges recognize functionally similar denial do administer approved program. 7 We agree concurring opinion hold over 509(b)(1)(F).7 When here, objects permit, precise effect "den[y]" meaning 509(b)(1)(F). Under contrary construction Appeals, denials different levels federal-court system depending on fortuitous circumstance arose permits.8 Moreover, additional level judicial authority likely cause delays resolving disputes Act. Absent far clearer expression intent, we unwilling read creating such seemingly irrational bifurcated system.9 grant petition certiorari, reverse judgment remand further consistent opinion. 8 So ordered. refer Administrator EPA. Section after vetoed, give power, then have, if fails meet objection specified time. 402(d)(4) added, 1599, 1342(d)(4) impact, any, amendment jurisdictional presented herein. has program exercises power delegated latter agency. national segment American paper industry substantially upheld Weyerhaeuser Co. Costle, 191 U.S.App.D.C. 309, 590 1011 (1978). challenging became moot once Board's orders. only live administrative time Appeals' appear State-proposed 402(b) 1342(b) Because find 509(b)(1)(F), decide might have 509(b)(1)(E). Cf. E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Train, 430 112, 127-128, n. 18, 97 965, 974-975, 51 204 (1977). 9 Our holding approach Sixth Republic Steel Corp. 581 1228, 1230, (1978), cert. denied, 440 909, 99 1219, 59 457 (1979); Ford Motor 567 661, 668 (1977), dicta Second Circuits, Mianus River Preservation Comm. 541 899, 909 (CA2 1976); Shell Oil 585 408, 412 (CA9 1978). relied failure object 509. Save Bay, Inc. 556 1282 (CA5 1977); Comm., supra. cases distinguishable object, opposed affirmative necessarily "Administrator's action" 509(b)(1).

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