Opinion ID: 162578
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: D & RG Regional Alignment

Text: 131 The Appellants contend that the Federal Agencies applied the wrong legal standards in rejecting the D & RG alternative. Under CWA, the test is not whether a proposed project is better than an alternative with less wetlands impact because it would cost less and have less impact on existing and future development. The test is whether the alternative with less wetlands impact is impracticable, and the burden is on the Applicant UDOT, with independent verification by the COE, to provide detailed, clear and convincing information proving impracticability. Aplt. Br. at 22 (citing to selection of GSL Regional Alignment as better at II Aplt. App. 526 (DEIS), 568 (FEIS)). 132 While the Appellants are correct that CWA requires that the least damaging alternative be selected unless impracticable, they are quoting from the DEIS and the FEIS which are governed by NEPA, not CWA. NEPA does not require the selection of the least damaging practicable alternative. NEPA only requires that the Agencies [r]igorously explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives, and for alternatives which were eliminated from detailed study, briefly discuss the reasons for their having been eliminated. 40 C.F.R. § 1502.14(a). NEPA prescribes the necessary process, but does not mandate a particular result. Robertson, 490 U.S. at 350, 109 S.Ct. 1835. Therefore, failure to select the better alternative is not a violation of NEPA. 133 CWA prevents the COE from issuing a § 404(b) permit if there is a less damaging practicable alternative. 40 C.F.R. § 230.10(a). Practicable is defined as available and capable of being done after taking into consideration cost, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes. 40 C.F.R. § 230.3(q). In its ROD, the COE found the D & RG Alignment to be infeasible because of its high cost and high impact on existing development. I Aplee. App. at 44-45. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines infeasible as impracticable. Id. at 618 (9th ed.1991). Therefore, the Appellants are incorrect in saying that the Federal Agencies applied the wrong legal standard in rejecting the D & RG alternative. 134 The Appellants further argue that even if the impracticable test was applied, it was not met. Aplt. Br. at 23. We can set aside the COE's action only if we find that the COE abused its discretion, or acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law. 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). Impact on existing development would appear to fall within both the cost and the logistics portion of the practicable definition. For reasons discussed at I.A., we find that the COE violated its own regulations by failing to verify the cost estimates provided by the Applicant. Thus, the high cost rationale is inadequate to uphold the COE's permit decision. 135 Turning to the other justification, while there is evidence that the D & RG Alignment is more highly developed relative to the GSL Alignment, that evidence simply does not adequately address whether the D & RG's impact on existing development would be so high that it would be impracticable. 13 See II Aplee. App. at 707.1-713, 849 (maps); II Aplee. App. at 911 (a slide presentation); II Aplee. App. at 894 (one comment submitted by a member of the public recommending that the alignment be as far west as possible to avoid gas and high voltage lines); II Aplee. App. at 943 (an e-mail between employees of the FHWA stating that impact to existing development would be severe). The burden of proof to demonstrate compliance with the § 404(b) permit Guidelines rests with the applicant; where insufficient information is provided to determine compliance, the Guidelines require that no permit be issued. 61 Fed.Reg. 30,990, 30,998 (June 18, 1996) (citing 40 C.F.R. § 230.12(a)(3)(iv)). Issuance of the permit with insufficient information concerning the D & RG Alignment was arbitrary and capricious.