Opinion ID: 1910079
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Deference to the Board's Interpretation

Text: [¶ 24] In this case, the Board concluded that [t]he impoundment-to-impoundment comparison, which compares one disturbed site to a similarly disturbed site, constitutes a dramatic change in the [applicable] Class C [water quality] standard and, as such, legally requires the approval of EPA prior to implementation in accordance with provisions of the federal Clean Water Act. We have held that the Board is entitled to deference in its interpretation of the statutes it is charged with administering. See, e.g., S.D. Warren Co. v. Bd. of Envt'l Prot., 2005 ME 27, ¶ 5, 868 A.2d 210, 214; Maritime Energy v. Fund Ins. Review Bd., 2001 ME 45, ¶ 9, 767 A.2d 812, 814. Since the Board is charged with administering the water quality standards in Maine pursuant to 38 M.R.S.A. § 465 (2001 & Supp.2003), we must grant deference to the Board's interpretation as long as its construction is reasonable. See Maritime Energy, 2001 ME 45, ¶ 10, 767 A.2d at 814. The rationale underlying our deference to [the Board's] interpretations is that the [Board] has greater expertise in matters of environmental concern and greater experience administering and interpreting those particular statutes. S.D. Warren Co., 2005 ME 27, ¶ 5, 868 A.2d at 214. We must, therefore, determine whether the Board's conclusion is reasonable and comports with legislative intent.