Document: 516 U.S. 479116 S.Ct. 1251134 L.Ed.2d 121 Alan MEGHRIG, et al., Petitioners,v.KFC WESTERN, INC. No. 95-83. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Jan. 10, 1996. Decided March 19, Syllabus* Three years after complying with a county order to clean up petroleum contamination discovered on its property, respondent KFC Western, Inc., brought this action under citizen suit provision Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 1976 (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. § 6972(a), recover cleanup costs from petitioners, Meghrigs. claimed, among other things, that had previously posed an "imminent substantial endangerment health or environment," see 6972(a)(1)(B), Meghrigs were responsible for "equitable restitution" 6972(a) because, as prior owners they contributed contaminated site. The District dismissed complaint, holding does not permit recovery past 6972(a)(1)(B) authorize cause remediation toxic waste pose endangerment" at time is filed. Ninth Circuit disagreed both points reversed. Held: Section 6972 private cost cleaning not, suit, continue environment. Pp. __-__. (a) A party cannot effort which authorizes district courts "to restrain any person [responsible waste], such take may be necessary, both." (Emphasis added.) Under plain reading remedial scheme, plaintiff could seek mandatory injunction orders "take action" by attending proper disposal waste, prohibitory "restrains" further violating RCRA. Neither remedy, however, contemplates award costs, whether denominated "damages" restitution." comparison relief provided in analogous, but parallel, provisions Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation Liability 1980 demonstrates Congress knows how provide remedy. (b) 6972(a)(1)(B)—which permits suits against persons "waste present imminent environment" (emphasis added)—does based upon allegation site some past. This timing restriction's meaning can only "imminent" if it threatens occur immediately, reference "may present" harm quite clearly excludes no longer presents danger. language implies there must threat now, althou gh impact felt until later. It follows was designed remedy ameliorates obviates risk future harms, compensates efforts. Other aspects RCRA's enforcement scheme strongly support conclusion, existence elaborate refutes Government's contention their inherent equitable authority. (c) consider obtain requiring another pay arising RCRA has been properly commenced. P. __. 49 F.3d 518 (C.A.9 1995), O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. On Writ Certiorari Appeals Circuit. John Palmer, petitioners. Jeffrey Minear amicus curiae, Daniel Romano, respondent. Justice O'CONNOR 1 We 7002 (1988 ed.), conclude not. 2 * Respondent Inc. (KFC), owns operates "Kentucky Fried Chicken" restaurant parcel property Los Angeles. In 1988, during course construction project petroleum. County Angeles Department Health Services ordered attend problem, spent $211,000 removing disposing oil-tainted soil. 3 later, RCRA, 90 Stat. 2825, amended, ed.),** seeking these petitioners Margaret Meghrig. 4 claimed soil "solid waste" covered 6903(27) KFC's waste's "past handling, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal." See App. 12-19 (first amended complaint). 5 held filed, complaint. Pet. Cert. A21-A23 . reversed, over dissent, 518, 524-528 (1995) (Brunetti, J.), finding court authority restitution id., 521-523, proceed issue presented cleaned up, 520-521. 6 Circuit's conclusion regarding remedies available conflicts decision Eighth Furrer v. Brown, 62 1092, 1100-1101 (1995), interpretation requirement represents novel application federal statutory law. granted certiorari address conflict between Circuits correctness 515 ----, 116 41, 132 922 now reverse. II 7 comprehensive environmental statute governs solid hazardous waste. Chicago Defense Fund, 511 114 1588, 1590-1591, 128 302 (1994). Unlike (CERCLA), 94 2767, 9601 seq. ed. Supp. V), principally effectuate sites compensate those who have attended hazards. Cf. General Electric Co. Litton Industrial Automation Systems, 920 F.2d 1415, 1422 (C.A.8 1990) (the "two main purposes CERCLA" are "prompt imposition all party"). primary purpose, rather, reduce generation ensure nonetheless generated, "so minimize human environment." 6902(b) ed.). 8 Chief responsibility implementation rests Administrator Protection Agency (EPA), §§ 6928, 6973, like laws, contains provision, 6972, citizens enforce circumstances. 9 Two requirements defeat first concerns necessary 6972(a)(1)(B): That section bring certain persons, including former owners, "who ha[ve] [are] contributing second defines ., 10 apparent two described directed providing compensation suing injunction, i.e., one susceptible adopted Circuit, neither 11 regard, CERCLA telling. passed several went into effect, many same problems inspired passage Compare 6903(5) ed.) (RCRA definition "hazardous waste") 9601(14) (CERCLA incorporating substance[s]," wastes defined specifically petroleum). differs markedly provides. CERCLA's mimics correct violation" standard regulation. 9659(c) But expressly Government "all removal action," 9607(a)(4)(A), "necessary response, incurred consistent national contingency plan," 9607(a)(4)(B). also provides "[a]ny contribution liable potentially liable" response costs. 9613(f)(1). thus demonstrated knew used define 12 intended directed. showing restriction plain: An "threaten[s] immediately," Webster's New International Dictionary English Language 1245 (2d ed.1934), As itself intimated Price Navy, 39 1011, 1019 (1994), "implies although later." (national policy behind environment"). 13 conclusion. CERCLA, limitations, compare 9613(g)(2) (limitations period 9607), require being sought reasonable, 9607(a)(4)(A) (B) (costs recovered "consistent plan"). If function cost-recovery mechanism, absence would striking. Moreover, limited exception, Hallstrom Tillamook County, 493 20, 26-27, 110 304, 309, 107 237 (1989) (noting exception notice "when danger will discharged"), without giving days' EPA, "the State alleged occur," potential defendants, 6972(b)(2)(A)(i)-(iii). And either EPA commenced, diligently prosecuting, separate action, 6972(b)(2)(B) (C). Therefore, parties efforts, wholly irrational mechanism doing so. Those insubstantial problems, nor Federal feel compelled address, whereas whose sufficiently severe attract attention officials left recovery. 14 Though agrees complaint defective failing allege endangerment," (as ) joins arguing circumstances preclude Brief Amicus Curiae 22-28. posits situation while continues endangerment, suggests case money Echoing similar argument made KFC, 11-19, rely rather cites line cases retain taken away them Congress. See, e. g., Porter Warner Holding Co., 328 395, 66 1086, L.Ed. 1332 (1946); Wyandotte Transp. States, 389 191, 88 379, 19 407 (1967); Hecht Bowles, 321 321, 64 587, 754 (1944). 15 prevent recovering state 6972(f) (preserving common law), along stark differences amply demonstrate did intend able undertake then we explained Middlesex Sewerage Authority National Sea Clammers Assn., 453 1, 14, 101 2615, 2623, 69 435 (1981), where "elaborate provisions" remedying violation statute, done "it assumed implication additional judicial under" statute. " '[I]t elemental canon particular remedies, chary others it.' Id., 14-15, S.Ct., 2623 (quoting Transamerica Mortgage Advisors, Lewis, 444 11, 100 242, 247, 146 (1979)). 16 Without considering arise cf. Price, 688 204, 211-213 (C.A.3 1982) (requiring funding diagnostic study appropriate form 6973), otherwise paid out invocation process, agree reasons stated contemplate contamina ted presently poses judgment 17 so ordered. syllabus constitutes part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. ** provides, relevant part: "Except subsection section, commence civil his own behalf— "(1)(B) person, generator, transporter, owner operator facility, ". shall jurisdiction referred paragraph (1)(B), both. ."

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