Opinion ID: 2207621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: The Interest of WSI

Text: WSI has asserted that it has both economic and environmental interests at stake in this appeal, which are being jeopardized by the Secretary's issuance of the permits to Oceanport. In order to satisfy the first part of the standing provision, the Court must determine whether WSI's economic and environmental interests are of the type protected by Chapters 60, 70 and 72. The paramount consideration of Chapter 60, and presumably Chapters 70 and 72, is the protection of the environment. State v. Getty Oil Co., Del.Super., 305 A.2d 327, 329 (1973). The Superior Court cited 7 Del.C. §§ 6001(b), [8] 6020, [9] and 7201 [10] for the underlying purpose of environmental protection in the public interest. It is evident from the foregoing that these Chapters were designed to protect environmental interests, including those of both WSI and Oceanport. Clearly then, WSI, as a corporate citizen of the State, has an interest in the protection of its natural resources. Likewise, WSI has a stated economic interest involved in this case. WSI's most obvious economic interest is the deterrence of competition that would follow upon denial of operating permits to Oceanport. Because the stevedoring business depends on navigable waters, WSI also has an economic interest in seeing that the Delaware River remains open and free from any environmental damage that might prevent WSI from operating. Arguably, Section 6001(a)(1) contemplates this interest by stating: The development, utilization and control of the land, water, underwater and air resources of the State are vital to the people in order to assure adequate supplies for domestic, industrial,... and other beneficial uses.... So from an economic standpoint as well, WSI can demonstrate an interest in the issuance of permits to Oceanport by the Secretary. None of the foregoing circumstances, however, are legally sufficient to end our inquiry into the standing of WSI to challenge the Secretary's actions. In environmental law litigation, standing issues are presently the most contentious being adjudicated. This case presents the Court with exactly that issue  whether WSI has standing to challenge the issuance of permits for pier improvements in publicly owned subaqueous lands (7 Del.C. § 7205), for fugitive air emissions (7 Del.C. § 6003), and for point source discharge into the Delaware River under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (7 Del.C. § 6003) to Oceanport, see page 1.