Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 827

529US3

Unit: $U57

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PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL v. BABBITT

O’Connor, J., concurring

§ 706(2)(A), that the Secretary acted arbitrarily and capri-
ciously in promulgating the new regulations. Under our de-
cision in Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Assn. of United States, Inc. v.
State Farm Mut. Automobile Ins. Co., 463 U. S. 29, 42 (1983),
an agency that departs from its previous rules will be found
to have acted arbitrarily and capriciously if it fails “to supply
a reasoned analysis for the change . . . .” Although peti-
tioners pressed precisely such an “arbitrary and capricious”
challenge before the District Court, for whatever reason,
they chose not to raise it before this Court. Regardless of
whether the “arbitrary and capricious” claim remains open
to these permit holders, the Court’s decision does not fore-
close such an APA challenge generally by permit holders af-
fected by the 1995 regulations.

With these understandings, I join the Court’s opinion.