Document: 112 S.Ct. 2019 504 U.S. 353 119 L.Ed.2d 139 FORT GRATIOT SANITARY LANDFILL, INC., Petitioner,v.MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, et al. No. 91-636. Argued March 30, 1992. Decided June 1, Syllabus The Waste Import Restrictions of Michigan's Solid Management Act (SWMA) provide that solid waste generated in another county, state, or country cannot be accepted for disposal unless explicitly authorized the receiving county's plan. After St. Clair County, whose plan does not include such authorization, denied petitioner company's 1989 application authority to accept out-of-state at its landfill, filed this action seeking a judgment declaring invalid under Commerce Clause and enjoining their enforcement. District Court dismissed complaint, Appeals affirmed. latter court found no facial discrimination against interstate commerce because statute treat out-of-county from Michigan any differently than other States. also ruled there was actual had alleged all counties ban waste. Held: unambiguously discriminate are appropriately characterized as protectionist measures withstand scrutiny. Pp. 358-368. (a) Philadelphia v. New Jersey, 437 617, 626-627, 98 2531, 2536-2537, 57 475 provides proper analytical framework controls here. Under reasoning case, clearly commerce, since they authorize each county isolate itself national economy and, indeed, afford local producers complete protection competition use areas acts affirmatively use. 358-361. (b) This case distinguished Jersey on ground, asserted by respondents, States thus do face effect. Court's cases teach State (or one political subdivisions) may avoid Clause's strictures curtailing movement articles through subdivisions State, rather itself. See, e.g., Brimmer Rebman, 138 78, 82-83, 11 213, 214-215, 34 L.Ed. 862. Nor fact allows individual out state qualify discriminatory character. 361-363. (c) Also rejected is respondents' argument different SWMA constitutes comprehensive health safety regulation "economic protectionism" State's limited landfill capacity. Even assuming provisions could fairly so characterized, same assumption made with respect themselves. Because those bears burden proving further concerns adequately served nondiscriminatory alternatives. Respondents have met burden, provided valid reason limiting amount operator outside but inside State. 363-368. 931 F.2d 413, reversed. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion Court, which WHITE, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, JJ., joined. REHNQUIST, C.J., dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN, Harold B. Finn, III, Stamford, Conn., petitioner. Thomas L. Casey, Lansing, Mich., respondents. Justice STEVENS Court. 1 In 618, 2532, (1978), we held law prohibiting importation most " 'solid liquid originated collected territorial limits State' violated United Constitution. challenges prohibits private operators accepting originates facilities located. Adhering our holding conclude unconstitutional. 2 * 1978 enacted Act1 (SWMA). That required every estimate would next 20 years adopt providing comply standards. Mich.Comp.Laws Ann. § 299.425 (Supp.1991). public hearings obtaining necessary approval municipalities well Director Department Natural Resources, County Board Commissioners adopted management County. 1987 Resources issued permit operate sanitary waste2 area See Bill Kettlewell Excavating, Inc. Dept. 414 (CA6 1991). 3 On December 28, 1988, Legislature amended adopting two concerning "acceptance ash area," see 1988 Mich.Pub.Acts, 475, codified amended, §§ 299.413a, 299.430(2) Those amendments (Waste Restrictions), became effective immediately, provide: 4 "A person shall . located acceptance approved plan." 299.413a. 5 "In order serve needs country, service must county." 299.430(2). 6 February, 1989, submitted an Planning Committee up 1,750 tons per day landfill. 732 F.Supp. 761, 762 (ED Mich.1990). promised reserve sufficient capacity dispose years. planning committee application. Ibid. view waste, effectively prevent originate 7 Petitioner therefore commenced unconstitutional contended requiring limit business constituted impermissible commerce. petitioner's motion summary judgment, however, F.Supp., 766, subsequently App. 4. first concluded "on face" import restrictions apply "equally entities." 764. It "in practical effect" given discretion Moreover, incidental effect "not excessive relation [public environmental] benefits derived statute." Id., 765. 8 Sixth Circuit agreed analysis. Although it recognized "places in-county separate categories," "does states." F.2d, 417. 418. Accordingly, affirmed We granted certiorari, 502 ----, 857, 116 765 (1992), concern decision below inconsistent now reverse. II 9 Before discussing narrow issue contested, appropriate identify certain matters dispute. program regulating collection, transportation, administered prior Restrictions, challenged. No relating hazardous presented, claim operation health, safety, sanitation requirement. raise question policies governmental agencies pursue publicly owned facilities. involves only validity privately operated landfills. 10 hand, analysis case. even if has value, article commerce.3 U.S., 622-623, S.Ct., 2534, 2535. Whether arrangements between generators site viewed "sales" garbage "purchases" transportation services, commercial transactions unquestionably imposes some constraints ability regulate these transactions. As long recognized, "negative" "dormant" aspect "advanc[ing] own interests either into state." H.P. Hood & Sons, Du Mond, 336 525, 535, 69 657, 663, 93 865 (1949). A discriminates "unless demonstrably justified factor unrelated economic protectionism." Energy Co. Indiana Limbach, 486 269, 274, 108 1803, 1808, 100 302 (1988). 12 Jersey's prohibition failed test: 13 "[T]he evil protectionism can reside legislative means ends. Thus, matter whether ultimate aim ch. 363 reduce costs residents save remaining open lands pollution, assume right protect residents' pocketbooks environment. And assumed ends slowing flow landfills, though incidentally affected. But whatever purpose, accompanied discriminating coming reason, apart origin, them differently. Both plain effect, violates principle nondiscrimination. 14 "The consistently parochial legislation kind constitutionally invalid, assure steady supply milk erecting barriers allegedly ruinous competition, Baldwin G.A.F. Seelig, Inc., 294 [511], 522-524 [55 497, 500-501, 79 1032]; create jobs keeping industry within Foster-Fountain Packing Haydel, 278 [49 3, 73 147]; Johnson 16 6, 155]; Toomer Witsell, 334 [385], 403-404, [68 1156, 1165-1166, 92 1460]; preserve financial resources depletion fencing indigent immigrants, Edwards California, 314 160, 173-174 [62 164, 166-167, 86 119]. cases, presumably legitimate goal sought achieved illegitimate isolating economy." 2536-2537. 15 83 economy. Indeed, enter jurisdiction, affords who seek areas. identified why should treated foregoing appear control disposition III argue, Restrictions—unlike waste—do Instead, respondents maintain, regulates evenhandedly effectuate upheld benefits. Cf. Pike Bruce Church, 397 137, 142, 90 844, 847, 25 174 (1970). disagree, 17 862 (1891), reviewed constitutionality Virginia imposed special inspection fees meat animals been slaughtered more miles place sale. burdened Illinois litigant before explained: "[T]his [cannot] brought harmony Constitution circumstance purports alike citizens States, including Virginia; for, 'a upon sustained simply imposing applies people enacting statute.' Minnesota Barber, [136 313, 862, 455 (1890) ]; Robbins Shelby Taxing District, 120 489, 497 [7 592, 596, 30 694]. If object obstruct bringing human food, beef, veal mutton, however wholesome, distant will accomplished us enforced." 214-215. 18 Dean Milk Madison, 340 349, 71 295, 95 329 (1951), challenged city ordinance unlawful sell pasteurized processed plant "within radius five central square Madison," id., 350, 296. explaining: 19 regulation, like provision invalidated [294 511, 55 1032 (1935) ], excludes distribution Madison wholesome produced Illinois. 'The importer keep his drink it, he not.' 521, 500. barrier protecting major without plainly commerce." 354, 298. discriminated Wisconsin were center did mitigate noted, "immaterial subjected proscription moving n. 4, 298, 21 agency promulgate regulations permitting categories 618-619, 2532-2533. exception covered regulations—like several waste—merely reduced scope discrimination; excepted regulations, remained place. Similarly, County's total unaffected policy.4 22 short, neither intercounty nor adequate basis distinguishing Jersey. IV 23 argue Relying excerpt Sporhase Nebraska, 458 941, 102 3456, 1254 (1982), contend differential treatment reasonable taken conserve citizens. reliance misplaced. considered Nebraska prohibited withdrawal ground water adjoining four conditions satisfied.5 fourth condition—a requirement grant reciprocal rights withdraw allow Nebraska—violated Clause. 957-958, 3464-3465. 24 preface holding, reasons that, combination, conclusion facially valid. 957, First, questioned actually restrictive nominally applied transfers water, might "no strict [other law] limitations intrastate transfers." 956, 3464. "Obviously, severe when seeks uncontrolled transfer State." 955-956, 3463-3464. explained confluence factors justify efforts times shortage.6 Only reasons—our reference well-recognized difference protectionism, other—is arguably relevant case.7 adding make burden.8 26 assert enable plans safe future waste.9 accurate forecasts about volume composition flows indispensable part plan, attain objective in- could, example, year. 626, There is, 27 Of course, imported raised presented Maine Taylor, 477 131, 106 2440, 91 110 (1986), live baitfish parasites characteristics nonnative species posed serious threat native fish avoided available techniques. concluded: 28 evidence amply supports findings Maine's serves purposes arbitrary commerce; record suggests reasons, 'apart [out-of-state baitfish] differently,' 627, 2537." 151-152, 2454. 29 contrast, lower courts find—and provided—any allowing county. For scrutiny 31 ordered. 32 Chief whom BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 33 When confronted dormant challenge "[t]he crucial inquiry directed determining [the statute] basically measure, concerns, effects incidental." 624, 2536, (1978). I think least improper remand proceedings. substantial environmental, aesthetic, problems flowing country's piles already apparent time decided Philadelphia. risen intervening Envt.Rep. 369-370 (1990). due increased volumes, volumes expected continue rising foreseeable future. Environmental Protection Agency, Characterization Municipal States: 1990 Update (municipal wastes 128.1 million 1975 179.6 rise 216 year 2000); id. ES-3 (1988 equivalent 4.0 pounds day, 4.4 2000). exhaustion existing (landfill disposals 99.7 130.5 1988); 56 Fed.Reg. 50980 (1991) (45% landfills reach secret expanding sufficiently meet demand—the risks attendant sites extraordinarily unattractive neighbors. Swin Resource Systems, Lycoming Cty., 883 245, 253 (CA3 1989), cert. denied, 493 1077, 1127, 107 1033 result, while many willing generate waste—indeed, impossibility solve problem banning production—few help it. locales foreign affording environmental take charge waste.1 35 stepped quagmire address populace. done approach borders. today broad package includes number features: state-mandated state-wide effort disposal, 299.427 299.430 (1984 Supp.1991), requirements units government participate process, ibid. 299.426 (Supp.1991), transport, 299.431 (1984), various design technical satisfied permits obtained, 299.432a commitments promote source separation, composting, recycling, 299.430a quite unlike simple outright 36 legislation, appears reap sown—hardly novel proposition. responsible created obtained. neutral restriction (i.e. equally both waste) works sources procured. agree requirement, difficult field, stuff made. 37 anything, seems likely work disadvantage. because, potential particular site, fixed recovered across smaller increasing unit consumers. 50987 (1991). require until exporting locations State—to confront previously avoided. nadir act fashion—raising prices consumers, working disadvantage segments population—because circumstances processes check unduly burdensome regulations.' Kassel Consolidated Freightways Corp. Delaware, 450 662, 675, 101 1309, 1318-1319, 67 580 (1981) (quoting Raymond Motor Transportation, Rice, 434 429, 444, 18, 787, 795, 54 664 (1978)). sum, incorporates commonsense notion solution degree further. At minimum, facts just outlined suggest allowed present economic, legislation. 38 decisions foreclose possibility attacked grounds defended pointing statute's rest passages quoted clear, noneconomic bans issue, objects being banned risk. Brimmer, 83, 214 ("[i]f uses (emphasis added)); (comparing form, although entirely sound fit food") added); Milk, 297-298 (the "excludes milk" added)). unlikely here "wholesome" "entirely fit." appears, instead, potentially dangerous—at concluded. "a Neither concerns. (1986). give opportunity show regulation. 39 confirmed regime natural need run afoul noted "[o]bviously, Substitute "attractive environment" "water" population despoil environment disposal. thereby violate resource exported—the forced Rather, "resource indicia good favor shortage." Id. course choose this, fact, decide individualized result mandated. 40 modern technically complex engineering exercise comes replete liners, leachate collection systems highly regulated operating conditions. siting proceed largely independent location's geological characteristics. 51009 (EPA-approved "composite liner system designed protective locations, poor locations"); 51004-51005 (outlining additional (1) near airports, (2) floodplains, (3) wetlands, (4) fault areas, (5) seismic impact zones, (6) unstable areas). Given laws economics sprout places where land cheapest densities least. Alm, "Not My Backyard:" Facing Siting Question, EPA J. (1984) (noting share overall stream what generates "less populated protected becoming dumping entire region"). Clause, requires cheap-land become repositories brethren, suffering present. 41 penalizes appearances good-faith efforts, turn encouraging ignore hope pick slack. fails recognize option real attractive States—and becomes intermediate solving problems, eliminated. 42 respectfully dissent. 641, 299.401-299.437 ed. Supp.1991). defines follows: "Sec. 7.(1) 'Solid waste' garbage, rubbish, ashes, incinerator ash, residue, street cleanings, municipal industrial sludges, animal organic production livestock poultry. following: "(a) Human body "(b) Organic "(c) Liquid "(d) Ferrous nonferrous scrap metal processor reuser ferrous products. "(e) Slag slag products "(f) Sludges ashes managed recycled nondetrimental materials agricultural silvicultural pursuant director. "(g) Materials emergency "(h) Source separated materials. "(i) Site "(j) Fly combustion coal, used following instances "(k) Other 299.407(7) Jersey: "All trade merit protection; none excluded definition outset. Bowman [v. Chicago Northwestern R. Co., 125 465, 689, 700 (1888) ] similar articles' worth far outweighed dangers inhering very movement, prohibit lines. Hence, reject court's suggestion 'valueless' implicates constitutional protection. Just Congress power wastes, free restrict movement. Hughes Alexandria Scrap Corp., 426 794, 802-814, 96 2488, 2494-2500, 49 220; Meat Drivers 371 94, 162, 150." 2534-2535, Wyoming Oklahoma, 789, 117 (1992) (Oklahoma "expressly reserves segment Oklahoma coal market Oklahoma-mined exclusion States," "sets aside 'small portion' market. affected extent relevance determination commerce") original). provided: 'Any person, firm, city, village, corporation entity intending pit transport Water so. finds requested reasonable, contrary conservation otherwise detrimental welfare, grants Nebraska.' 944, 3458 (1982) Neb.Rev.Stat. 46-613.01 "Moreover, absence expressed Congress, reluctant condemn unreasonable, vital shortage. Our reluctance stems 'confluence [several] realities.' Hicklin Orbeck, 518, 534, 2482, 2492, shortage purpose citizens—and economy—is core police power. purposes, other. Sons 533, 662-663, Second, legal expectation borders fostered over equitable apportionment decrees, see, Colorado, 953, 77 865, 906 (1957), negotiation enforcement compacts. boundaries allocation scarce resources. Third, appellee's ownership denial federal regulatory power, support preference utilization resource. supra, 533-534, 2491-2492. regard, logically claims 950-951, 3461-3462. Finally, continuing availability happenstance; Reeves, Stake, 447 2271, 65 244 (1980); cf. 627-628, 2537-2538, 6; Montana Fish Game Comm'n., 436 371, 1852, 354 examination three set forth not, therefore, indicate impermissibly Appellants, seem concede reasonableness." 956-957, related role traditionally played Nebraska's owned. are, analogous traditional expectations regarding dissent states proceedings able prove constitute post, 368, 371. asked suggested opportunity, "An unregulated Michigan," asserts, "would disruptive incoming accounted during process." Brief Respondent 49; 13. am baffled bought sold. ante, 359. making payment paid others wish rid. little doubt waste's delivery storage.

Category: 7