Opinion ID: 445104
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The EPA's Duty to Promulgate Industry Effluent Limitations Guidelines

Text: 46 The Act authorized the EPA to promulgate regulations establishing effluent limitations guidelines applicable to specific polluting industries. Secs. 1311, 1314. However, the EPA has not yet promulgated regulations governing the placer mining industry. Rather, the EPA has determined effluent limitations when issuing NPDES permits. Under Sec. 1342(a)(1), the Administrator may issue permits incorporating such conditions as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of this [Act], when no limitations or guidelines are yet available. See United States Steel Corp. v. Train, 556 F.2d 822, 844 (7th Cir.1977); Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. Train, 510 F.2d 692, 709-10 (D.C.Cir.1975). 47 The Miners argue that the EPA has used adjudicatory hearings on permit applications to evade its rulemaking responsibilities under the Act. The Miners claim that the EPA's failure to issue effluent guidelines results in prejudice and deprivation of due process in that they have not had the public notice and public input protections of formal rulemaking. The Miners request this court to direct the EPA to promulgate appropriate guidelines prior to issuing individual permits. 48 The Miners' argument is framed in terms of the EPA's failure to comply with a nondiscretionary duty to promulgate industry-wide rules. Other courts have upheld this duty. See, e.g., Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. Train, 510 F.2d 692 (D.C.Cir.1975). However, the Act confers jurisdiction on the federal district courts, not courts of appeal, to review any action where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary with the Administrator. Sec. 1365(a)(2). This grant of jurisdiction is exclusive. In Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources v. EPA, 618 F.2d 991 (3rd Cir.1980), the petitioners sought review in the court of appeals under Sec. 1369(b) (review of final actions of the Administrator) of certain regulations promulgated by the EPA. The court held that the jurisdictional provisions of Secs. 1365(a)(2) and 1369(b) did not overlap. Id.; accord Environmental Defense Fund v. EPA, 598 F.2d 62, 91 (D.C.Cir.1978). Thus, the Miners must bring an action in the district court if they seek to require the EPA to promulgate point source standards. 49