Opinion ID: 718818
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: 22 The standard of review applicable to the main issues in this case is provided by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 706, which states that a court may set aside agency action that is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). On appeal, this court, in reviewing the administrative record, applies the same arbitrary and capricious standard of review utilized by the district court. North Buckhead Civic Ass'n v. Skinner, 903 F.2d 1533, 1538-39 (11th Cir.1990). As we have explained, this standard is exceedingly deferential: 23 To determine whether an agency decision was arbitrary and capricious, the reviewing court 'must consider whether the decision was based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.' This inquiry must be 'searching and careful,' but 'the ultimate standard of review is a narrow one.' Along the standard of review continuum, the arbitrary and capricious standard gives an appellate court the least latitude in finding grounds for reversal; '[a]dministrative decisions should be set aside in this context ... only for substantial procedural or substantive reasons as mandated by statute, ... not simply because the court is unhappy with the result reached.' The agency must use its best judgment in balancing the substantive issues. The reviewing court is not authorized to substitute its judgment for that of the agency concerning the wisdom or prudence of the proposed action. 24 Skinner, 903 F.2d at 1538-40 (footnotes and citations omitted) (emphasis added). See also Marsh v. Oregon Nat. Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 109 S.Ct. 1851, 104 L.Ed.2d 377 (1989). 25 The standard of review applicable to the district court's decision regarding discovery is the abuse of discretion standard. See, e.g., Castle v. Sangamo Weston, Inc., 744 F.2d 1464, 1466 (11th Cir.1984).