Source: http://www.chanrobles.com/usa/us_supremecourt/406/91/case.php
Timestamp: 2019-09-21 01:03:44
Document Index: 688884798

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1251', '§ 2', '§ 1331', '§ 1331', '§ 1', '§ 10', '§ 10']

ILLINOIS V. CITY OF MILWAUKEE, 406 U. S. 91 (1972) - US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE
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(b) Pollution of interstate or navigable waters creates actions under the "laws" of the United States within the meaning of chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
It has long been this Court's philosophy that "our original jurisdiction should be invoked sparingly." Utah v. United States, 394 U. S. 89, 394 U. S. 95. We construe 28 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(1), a we do Art. III, § 2, cl. 2, to honor our original jurisdiction but to make it obligatory only in appropriate cases. And the question of what is appropriate concerns, of course, the seriousness and dignity of the claim; yet, beyond that, it necessarily involves the availability of another forum where there is jurisdiction over the named parties, where the issues tendered may be litigated, and where appropriate relief may be had. We chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
It is well settled that, for the purposes of diversity of citizenship, political subdivisions are citizens of their respective States. [Footnote 1] Bullard v. City of Cisco, 290 U. S. 179; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
@ 74 U. S. 122. If a political subdivision is a citizen for diversity purposes, then it would make no jurisdictional difference whether it was the plaintiff or defendant in such an action. That being the case, a political subdivision in one State would be able to bring an action founded upon diversity jurisdiction against a political subdivision of another State.
The considerable interests involved in the purity of interstate waters would seem to put beyond question the jurisdictional amount provided in § 1331(a). See Glenwood Light & Water Co. v. Mutual Light, Heat & Power Co., 239 U. S. 121; 67 U. S. 492; Ronzio v. Denver & R. G. W. R. Co.,@ 116 F.2d 604, 606; C. Wright, The Law of Federal Courts 117-119 (2d ed.1970); Note, 73 Harv.L.Rev. 1369. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
As respects the power of a State to bring an action under § 1331(a), Ames v. Kansas, 111 U. S. 449, 111 U. S. 470-472, is controlling. There, Kansas had sued a number of corporations in its own courts, and, since federal rights were involved, the defendants had the cases removed to the federal court. Kansas resisted, saying that the federal court lacked jurisdiction because of Art. III, chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, in § 1(b), declares that it is federal policy "to recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of the States in preventing and controlling water pollution." But the Act makes clear that it is federal, not state, law that, in the end, controls the pollution of interstate or navigable waters. [Footnote 3] While the States are given time to establish water quality standards, § 10(c)(1), if a State fails to do so, the federal administrator [Footnote 4] promulgates one. § 10(c)(2). Section 10(a) makes pollution of interstate or navigable waters subject "to abatement" when it "endangers the health or welfare of any persons." chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
The remedy sought by Illinois is not within the precise scope of remedies prescribed by Congress. Yet the remedies which Congress provides are not necessarily the only federal remedies available. "It is not uncommon for federal courts to fashion federal law where federal rights are concerned." Textile Workers v. Lincoln Mills, 353 U. S. 448, 353 U. S. 457. When we deal with air and water in their ambient or interstate aspects, there is a federal common law, [Footnote 5] as Texas v. Pankey, 441 F.2d 236, recently held. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
When it comes to water pollution this Court has spoken in terms of "a public nuisance," [Footnote 8] New York v. New Jersey, chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
It may happen that new federal laws and new federal regulations may in time preempt the field of federal common law of nuisance. But until that comes to pass, federal courts will be empowered to appraise the equities of the suits alleging creation of a public nuisance by water pollution. While federal law governs, [Footnote 9] consideration of state standards may be relevant. Cf. Connecticut v. Massachusetts, 282 U. S. 660, 282 U. S. 670; Kansas v. Colorado, 185 U. S. 125, 185 U. S. 146-147. Thus, a State with high water quality standards may well ask that its strict standards be honored, and that it not be compelled to lower itself to the more degrading standards of a neighbor. There are no fixed rules that govern; these chanroblesvirtualawlibrary