Opinion ID: 2737138
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: An index of the documents included in the

Text: administrative record file. … Nos. 13-2436 & 13-2441 11 Id. § 300.810(a). Notably, this list contains no mention of cooperative agreements. Instead, it emphasizes documentation of the substantive factors that play a role in the selection of a remedy. As a result, we find no support for Glatfelter’s argument that the failure to include the cooperative agreement in the administrative record undermines the selected remedy. It is true that as a general matter “judicial review of any issues concerning the adequacy of any response action taken or ordered by [EPA] shall be limited to the administrative record.” 42 U.S.C. § 9613(j)(1). But “[o]therwise applicable principles of administrative law shall govern whether any supplemental materials may be considered by the court.” Id. Those principles allow a reviewing court to consider materials outside the administrative record “when it is necessary to create a record without which the challenge to the agency’s action cannot be evaluated.” USA Grp. Loan Servs., Inc. v. Riley, 82 F.3d 708, 715 (7th Cir. 1996). Here, it would be impossible to evaluate Glatfelter’s challenge to the selected remedy without considering the documents that the government contends make up the cooperative agreement between EPA and WDNR. Thus, the district court properly considered those documents. Moreover, those documents show that EPA and WDNR entered into a valid cooperative agreement, which granted WDNR authority to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study for the Site. As a result, EPA’s reliance on WDNR to complete those tasks was in accordance with the national contingency plan and does not provide a basis for reversal. 12 Nos. 13-2436 & 13-2441