Opinion ID: 471615
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plain Language and Deference to Agency Interpretation.

Text: 22 The Secretary next urges that his interpretation of section 810(a)(1)-(3) is required by the plain language of the provision, and, as an agency's interpretation of a statute it is charged with administering, is entitled to a high degree of judicial deference and must be upheld unless unreasonable. Both these arguments might be compelling in the abstract, but because we consider Gambell II plainly controlling, they do not alter our conclusion that compliance with section 810(a)(1)-(3) procedures is required before the Secretary may proceed with Lease Sale 92. See Cubanski, etc. v. Heckler, 781 F.2d 1421, 1424-25 (9th Cir.1986) (courts are the final authorities on issues of statutory construction).CONCLUSION 23 The district court applied the correct legal standard in concluding that the Secretary must comply with the notice and hearing procedures in ANILCA section 810(a)(1)-(3) when he finds that significant restrictions on subsistence uses are unlikely. Having identified a probable ANILCA violation, the court did not abuse its discretion in granting a preliminary injunction. 24 AFFIRMED.