Opinion ID: 714879
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 5 Appellant JMS Development Corporation (JMS) is the developer of a 19.2-acre residential subdivision in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Appellee Terence D. Hughey (Hughey) is a Gwinnett County homeowner admittedly opposed to all development in Gwinnett County, one of metropolitan Atlanta's fastest growing areas. Hughey's first effort to prevent development of JMS's residential subdivision was an unsuccessful suit in state court filed during the course of construction. After the subdivision had been completed, Hughey sued JMS in United States District Court alleging that JMS's completed subdivision was continuing to violate the Clean Water Act by allowing storm (rain) water runoff without possessing a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit setting forth the conditions under which storm (rain) water could be discharged. 6 The undisputed evidence showed that JMS submitted its subdivision plans and specifications to Gwinnett County for approval and on March 31, 1992, obtained a county permit to begin construction. The undisputed evidence further showed that a Clean Water Act NPDES permit was not then available in the State of Georgia from the only agency authorized to issue such permits--Georgia's Environmental Protection Division. The district court nevertheless found that the Clean Water Act absolutely prohibited the discharge of any storm (rain) water from JMS's completed subdivision in the absence of an NPDES permit. Relying on this finding and rejecting the uncontroverted testimony that some storm (rain) water discharge beyond the control of JMS would naturally occur whenever it rained, the district court issued permanent injunctive relief pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d). The injunction ordered that JMS not discharge stormwater into the waters of the United States from its development property in Gwinnett County, Georgia, known as Rivercliff Place if such discharge would be in violation of the Clean Water Act. 7 The district court also fined JMS $8,500 for continuing violations of the Clean Water Act and awarded Hughey more than $115,000 in attorney fees and costs under 33 U.S.C. § 1365(d). From those orders and judgment of the district court, JMS appeals.