Document: 417 U.S. 270 94 S.Ct. 2248 41 L.Ed.2d 61 State of VERMONTv.State NEW YORK et al. No. 50, Orig. June 3, 1974. PER CURIAM. 1 On April 24, 1972, after oral argument, we granted Vermont's motion to file bill complaint against New York and the International Paper Co. which alleged that as a result discharge wastes, largely from International's mills, company are responsible for sludge bed in Lake Champlain Ticonderoga Creek has polluted water, impeded navigation, constituted public nuisance. 406 186, 92 1603, 31 785. Issue was joined Honorable R. Ammi Cutter appointed Special Master. 408 917, 2475, 33 329. Later United States sought leave intervene, stating it had numerous interests these waters under federal statutes. We referred Master, 409 1103, 93 892, 34 684, who intervention. During year 1973, 75 days testimony were received, Vermont presenting substantially all its direct case. put about half Neither nor up now offered any evidence. 2 The Report Master dated 1974, states he suggested parties might adjust their differences less expensively than by litigation. He reports succeeded bringing serious negotiations resulted settlement commends Court approval. proposed is represented Proposed Consent Decree stipulation may be entered without further argument or hearing. 3 'contemplates no findings shall made' provides 'it not constitute an adjudication on issue fact law, evidence, admission party with respect such issue.' reports, 'In my opinion, would possible if this report contain findings.' adds his opinion reaches reasonable result, consistent interest, acceptable basis evidence thus far presented.' 4 By Art. I special South Master1 usual powers Masters named us. resolve matters controversy between they have exhausted administrative other remedies (except judicial review). When decided matter, will recommendation Clerk Court. Unless 'aggrieved' files exceptions within 30 days, becomes decision 'unless disapproved Court.' Decree, Schedule 1, § 1.6. But noting limits regulatory law enforcement authority 'with lawful jurisdiction independently carry out enforce applicable regulations.' 5 After nine years our approval application modification submit recommendations prior exhaustion before authorities exhaustion, chooses. 6 order permit inspection Old Mill2 Mill3 showing good cause. 1.7. 7 grading covering bark pile near Mill lowering water level adjacent pond reduce drainage into tributaries. 8 prescribes methods control malodorous air emissions Mill; 1.5(b), notwithstanding provisions if, November 1975, objectionable odors attributable detected 'during significant period time,' recommend 'other action relief.' 9 Within emergency 'for conceptual plan' modify emission controls specified and, approved York, new equipment materials facilities completed operation later 1975. 3.2(c)(7). 10 3.3, volume Total Reduced Sulfur (TRS) 'recovery boiler' once approved. Section 3.4(a) standard TRS lime kiln 3.4(b), amount sodium hydroxide scrubbing solution scrubber. 11 covers Mill. It specifies 4.1(a) BOD54 waste exceed 4400 pounds per day monthly average. 4.1(b) maximum total phosphorus process waste-water effluent. 4.2 effluent considered toxic, over 96-hour period, 20% test fish (yellow perch) fail survive composed 65% 35% water. 12 4.3 4.4 provide clinical tests make at stated intervals. 13 Appendix A 'delivered pursuant command Supreme States' release damages past, present, future caused (1) accumulation sediment Bay area lake; (2) date entry decree; (3) date; (4) date. 14 B position interest remove deposits dredging them justified. 15 C liability because past discharges, save costs arising remedial taken consequence 'the needs anchorage navigation.' 16 done very difficult task well distinction; indeed grateful professional services rendered. concluded approve appoint 17 * In Wisconsin v. Illinois, 281 696, 50 331, 74 L.Ed. 1123, enjoined Sanitary District Chicago withdrawing through canal more number cubic feet second. That 21, 1930. May 22, 1933, 'commissioner officer' execute decree, ordered Illinois take certain steps respecting diversion, but denied request commissioner. 289 710, 711, 53 671, 677 678, 77 1283. 18 Wyoming Colorado, 259 419, 42 552, 66 999, 260 43 2, 1026, involved allocation Laramie River. 1936, 298 573, 56 912, 80 1339. This time injunction continuing diversions contrary decrees, id., 582—583, 916—917. refused measuring devices places diversion master keep records, saying, 'While problem recording one, entertain hope two co-operative efforts accomplish satisfactory it.' Id., 586, S.Ct., 918. States, policing themselves, resolved controversy, 309 572, 60 765, 84 954. 19 noted Nebraska Wyoming, 325 589, 616, 65 1332, 1349, 89 1815, supervision decrees equitable apportionment undesirable. 20 Jersey 283 805, 51 645, 1425, exception. dispute Jersey, City, Pennsylvania Delaware decree coupled protective provisions, first, sewage disposal plant Port Jervis, met prescribed cleansing standards; second, banning untreated industrial wastes neversink Rivers; third, treatment practically free 'from suspended matter (to render them) non-putrescent.' Ibid. 25, 1931, modified 7, 1954, 347 995, 842, 98 1127, when Master's altered, somewhat different formulae measure provided. River selected Chief Hydraulic Engineer Geological Survey administer decree. 1002, 845. authorized actual diversions, ibid., compile data, collect correlate stream-flow gauging, periodic designated changes daily releases, 1003, 21 rare case where Water one given only ministerial acts perform, reading gauges flow. rights been determined problems adjudicated resolved.5 All remained supervise various decreed, based fact. 22 179, 266, 799, use Michigan sanitary district operate plants. restrict build allow great deal lake waters. timetables completion facilities. recommended either appointment commission construction filing progress chose option appointing commission, instead semi-annual compliance several points litigation specific short-term purposes, quasi-permanent oversee general appointed. construct facilities, withholding necessary state funds. asked police investigate relieved receipt report. supply funds 395, 411—412, 677, 23 instant made; ruling concerning questions relative whether creation nuisance Vermont.6 24 execution set forth pass resolution contested issues bring forth. Such procedure materially change function interstate contests. Insofar supervising acting arbitral rather manner. Our original heretofore deemed extend adjudications controversies according principles some drawn international field, expressing 'common law' formulated decades 25 proposals submitted having relation law. Like present mere settlements compulsions motives performance III functions. Article speaks 'judicial power' Court, embraces equity facts, distilled hearings stipulations. Nothing mandate terms power.' II 26 available perhaps appropriate means reaching results desired Decree. An compact Act. I, 10, cl. conflict here. (along Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Rhode Island) allready England Interstate Pollution Control Compact, Stat. 682 (1947). 27 agreement another alternative. Once consensus reached there reason, absent compact, why binding. And dismiss complaint. Cf. Missouri Nebraska, 28, 904, 2599, 209. 28 So ordered. 29 'means portion extending Whitehall, Bridge Crown Point, York.' (I). located village long operated pulp paper mill. four miles north village. five-day biochemical oxygen demand measured method. raises recently City Milwaukee, 91, 106—107, 1385, 1394—1395, 712. also alleges deposit shift channel (the border States) York's favor. Disputes boundaries properly cognizable Wisconsin, 295, 46 290, 70 595; Massachusetts 271 65, 357, 838.

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