Document: 416 U.S. 861 94 S.Ct. 2114 40 L.Ed.2d 607 AIR POLLUTION VARIANCE BOARD OF the State of COLORADO, Petitioner,v.WESTERN ALFALFA CORPORATION. No. 73—690. Argued April 25, 1974. Decided May 20, Syllabus A state health inspector entered respondent's outdoor premises in daylight without its knowledge or consent and a warrant, to make an opacity test smoke being emitted from chimneys. In hearing requested by respondent, Colorado Air Pollution Variance Board on basis such found emissions violated act, denied respondent variance, cease-and-desist order. The County District Court set aside Board's decision, Appeals affirmed, holding that constituted unreasonable search within meaning Fourth Amendment. Held: Amendment, made applicable States Fourteenth, does not extend sights seen 'the open fields,' Hester v. United States, 265 57, 59, 44 445, 446, 68 L.Ed. 898, as here where did enter plant offices but had sighted what anyone who was near could see sky. Pp. 864—865. 510 P.2d 907, reversed remanded. William E. Tucker, Denver, Colo., for petitioner. Edmund W. Kitch, Chicago, Ill., amicus curiae, special leave Court. Donald D. Cawelti, respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 An division Department Health consent. It 2 [Amicus Curiae Information pages 862-863 intentionally omitted] yard Ringelmann test1 plumes Since time has adopted requirement warrant violations air quality standards.2 At instant inspection law required no none sought. Indeed, part inspection. 3 federal Act under administration Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets certain standards, 81 Stat. 485, 42 U.S.C. § 1857 et seq. have primary responsibility assure maintenance 1857c—2(a). Yet if EPA approved promulgated 'an implementation' plan, may adopt enforce 'less stringent' one, 1857d—1. There is conflict between standard action, sole question presented whether constitutional procedures making manner described. 4 Respondent before Colorado's Board. held were violation Act.3 While challenged June 4, 1969, after noting been conference with 'in regard pollution since September, 1967,' approving readings field day question, tests submitted rebuttal acceptable, variance sought review Weld which decision. 907; Supreme certiorari. 5 petition certiorari we granted, 414 1156, 913, 39 108, raised three questions, presenting differing postures questions Fourteenth. Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 1684, 6 1081. main thrust directed at Amendment problem. Camara Municipal Court, 387 523, 87 1727, 18 930, See City Seattle, 541, 1737, 943, act conducting either We adhere think they are here. offices. He inspecting stacks.4 boilers, scrubbers, flues, grates, furnaces; nor his related files papers. city sky—plumes smoke. speaking through Holmes, refused fields.' property advised he public excluded. Under Noise Control 1972, 86 1234, 4901 (1970 ed., Supp. II), railroad right-of-way determine noise standards violated. invasion privacy case present it can be said exist, abstract theoretical. regulation requires inspecotr stand distance equivalent approximately two stack heights away more than quarter mile base sun back vantage point perpendicular plume; must take least 25 readings, recording data 15- 30-second intervals. Depending upon layout plant, operate well 'open fields' exception Hester. 7 went say aware until notice, received 'lacked fundamental elements due process law, secret nature investigation foreclosed Western putting any evidence.'5 8 Whether referred 'due process' Fourteenth clear.6 If former, matter beyond our purview. unsure grounds ruling intimate issue. But remand that7 other lurking case. 9 Reversed This prescribed Colo.Rev.Stat.Ann. 66—29—5 (Supp.1967). trained position unobstructed view plume, observe smoke, rate according scale chart. person using chart matches color density plume numbered example generally sanctioned use measuring pollution. cases collected Portland Fry Roofing Co., Or.App. 352, 355—358, 472 826, 827—829. 66—29—8(2)(d) (Supp.1969). Board, Division Administration, Health, issued order, request granted September 11, 1969. studies indicate stacks expensive require 300 man-hours skilled work. Fed.Reg. 9309. And Schulze, Economics Quality Measurement, 23 J. Poll. Assn. 671 (1973); CFR 60.85, Method 9. P.2d, 909. Court's one challenge 'whether equal protection contrary 14th Constitution Section Article denied' App. 136. California Krivda, 409 33, 93 32, 34 45; Mental Hygiene Kirchner, 380 194, 85 871, 13 753; Minnesota National Tea 309 551, 60 676, 84 920.

Category: 0