Opinion ID: 788056
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: mandatory jurisdiction

Text: 14 Knott challenges both grounds upon which FERC based its finding of mandatory jurisdiction: (1) that the Blackstone River is navigable; and (2) that Knott's reconstruction work after a period of abandonment sufficed to confer jurisdiction. Because we hold that FERC properly based its jurisdiction on a finding of navigability, we do not reach the issues of abandonment and reconstruction. 15 The FPA, adopted in 1920, defines navigable waters as: 16 [T]hose parts of streams or other bodies of water over which Congress has [Commerce Clause] jurisdiction ... and which either in their natural or improved condition notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids compelling land carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all such interrupting falls, shallows, or rapids. 17 16 U.S.C. § 796(8) (emphases added). Based on this definition, and case law interpreting it, FERC correctly found that the September 2000 canoe trip demonstrated that the Blackstone River and Project site were suitable for use in interstate commerce notwithstanding the shallows compelling land carriage. 18 Knott first argues that FERC's authority must be limited to waterways used for actual, ongoing interstate commerce, not hypothetical possibilities of unrealized commerce. This argument is unavailing. The statutory language applies to waters in use or suitable for use for personal transportation, notwithstanding interruptions. Id. The Supreme Court has held that the absence of actual commercial traffic does not bar a conclusion of navigability where personal or private use by boats demonstrates the availability of the stream for the simpler types of commercial navigation. United States v. Appalachian Elec. Power Co., 311 U.S. 377, 416, 61 S.Ct. 291, 85 L.Ed. 243 (1940); see also United States v. Utah, 283 U.S. 64, 82, 51 S.Ct. 438, 75 L.Ed. 844 (1931) (The extent of existing commerce is not the test.). Irregular canoe trips may support a finding of navigability. See FPL Energy Me. Hydro LLC v. FERC, 287 F.3d 1151, 1157 (D.C.Cir.2002) (upholding a determination of navigability based on three canoe trips made for the purpose of litigation). Nor does the fact that the Blackstone River required portages defeat a finding of navigability. The statute explicitly contemplates that waterways may be navigable notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids compelling land carriage. 16 U.S.C. § 796(8). Such interruptions do not render an otherwise navigable stream non-navigable. Consol. Hydro, Inc. v. FERC, 968 F.2d 1258, 1262 (D.C.Cir.1992) (citing cases). 2 19 Given this consensus, FERC's interpretation of the FPA concerning the standard for navigability is reasonable and entitled to deference. The D.C. Circuit recently explained that: 20 As the [FPA] does not define when a waterway is suitable for use ... in ... commerce, we assume that Congress intended FERC to address the ambiguity in the statute and develop an appropriate test. See United States v. Mead Corp., 533 U.S. 218, 229, 121 S.Ct. 2164, 150 L.Ed.2d 292 (2001). We find that FERC's interpretation of navigability under the FPA, which was based on test canoe trips and the Stream's physical characteristics ... was reasonable and entitled to deference. 21 FPL, 287 F.3d at 1156. FERC thus applied the proper legal test required by the plain language of § 3(8) and the relevant case law. 22 Substantial evidence supports FERC's factual determination that the Blackstone River is suitable for the simpler types of commercial navigation. Appalachian Elec. Power Co., 311 U.S. at 416, 61 S.Ct. 291. FERC properly relied on the September 2000 canoe expedition, which was accomplished with few problems, relatively easy portages, and a minimum of difficulty. Knott asserts that the river is prone to dry or low flows and has many natural and constructed obstacles. However, the statutory definition of navigability explicitly allows for land carriage around interruptions. 16 U.S.C. § 796(8). Knott does not otherwise seriously dispute that the canoeists successfully navigated the waterway. He questions the participants' motivation, but this is irrelevant; what matters is that the participants completed the journey, regardless of motivation. See FPL, 287 F.3d at 1157 (affirming jurisdiction based on canoe trips made for the purpose of litigation). 3 23 FERC's finding that the Blackstone River is navigable, as defined by 16 U.S.C. § 796(8), is supported by substantial evidence. We therefore hold that FERC properly asserted mandatory jurisdiction over the Project.