Opinion ID: 3037715
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: The APA provides that final agency action shall be set aside if it is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law,” or if it is taken “without observance of procedure required by law.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A), (D); accord Idaho Farm Bureau Fed’n v. Babbitt, 58 F.3d 1392, 1401 (9th Cir. 1995). The arbitrary and capricious standard is “highly deferential, presuming the agency action to be valid and [requires] affirming the agency action if a reasonable basis exists for its decision.” Indep. Acceptance Co. v. California, 204 F.3d 1247, 1251 (9th Cir. 2000) (quotations and citations omitted). Under such deferential review, we may not substitute our judgment for that of the agency. Marsh v. Or. Natural Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 376 (1989). Unlike substantive challenges, however, our review of an agency’s procedural compliance is exacting, yet limited. See Coalition For Gov’t Procurement v. Fed. Prison Indus., Inc., KERN COUNTY FARM BUREAU v. ALLEN 6863 365 F.3d 435, 457 (6th Cir. 2004) (citing Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc. v. SEC, 606 F.2d 1031, 1045, 1048-49 (D.C. Cir. 1979)); Campanale & Sons, Inc. v. Evans, 311 F.3d 109, 116 (1st Cir. 2002). We review de novo but are limited to ensuring that “ ‘statutorily prescribed procedures have been followed.’ ” Campanale & Sons, 311 F.3d at 116 (quoting Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 606 F.2d at 1045). Further, we determine “the adequacy of the agency’s notice and comment procedure, without deferring to an agency’s own opinion of the . . . opportunities it provided.” Natural Res. Def. Council v. EPA, 279 F.3d 1180, 1186 (9th Cir. 2002).