Legal Document

406 U.S. 91 92 Supreme Court Reporter 1385 31 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 712 State of ILLINOISv.CITY OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, et al. Number 49, Orig. Argued Feb. 29, 1972. Decided April 24, Syllabus The Illinois has filed a motion for leave to file bill complaint against four Wisconsin cities and two local sewerage commissions allegedly polluting Lake Michigan. seeks invoke the Court's original jurisdiction on ground that defendants are instrumentalities this suit is therefore one must be brought in under Article III, § 2, cl. Constitution which confers '(i)n all cases . shall party,' 28 Code KF62 1251(a)(1), provides have 'original exclusive (all) controversies between or more ..' Under 1251(b)(3) but not exclusive' actions by citizens another State, 1331(a) district court 'of civil wherein matter controversy exceeds $10,000 (arises) (or) laws States.' Held: 1. Though could joined as defendant here appropriate pleadings, it mandatory made one, its political subdivisions 'States' within meaning 1251(a)(1). If those may sued federal court, merely permissible, mandatory. Pp. 93—98. 2. In case give relief nuisance interstate water pollution proper forum litigation issues involved. 98—101. (a) jurisdictional-amount requirement satisfied action involving purity waters. Pacific KF135 P2 98. (b) Pollution navigable waters creates 'laws' s 1331(a), since term embraces claims like involved founded common law well statutory origin. 99—100. (c) sue other than court. 100—101. 3. Federal applies air their ambient aspects. 101—108. application abate inconsistent with enforcement powers Water Control Act. 101—104. While environmental protection statutes sources law, they will necessarily form outer limits such law. 103, 107. quality standards relevant conclusive (d) equity courts wide range grant sort. 107—108. Motion denied. Fred KF105 F3 Herzog, Chicago, Ill., plaintiff. Harry G. Slater, Milwaukee, Wis., defendants. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 This our Wisconsin, Sewerage Commission City Metropolitan County Milwaukee. cause alleged Michigan, body water. According plaintiff, some 200 million gallons raw inadequately treated sewage waste materials discharged daily into lake Milwaukee area alone. Plaintiff alleges prohibit prevent discharges, do take actions. asks we public nuisance. 2 * provides: 'In Cases Party, supreme Jurisdiction.' Congress provided 1251 '(a) of: (1) All 3 It long been philosophy 'our should invoked sparingly.' Utah versus States, 394 89, 95, 89 761, 765, 22 99. We construe honor make obligatory only cases. And question what concerns, course, seriousness dignity claim; yet beyond involves availability where there over named parties, tendered litigated, had. incline sparing use so increasing duties appellate docket suffer. Washington General Motors Corp., 109, 1396, 727. 4 presses request saying agencies any forum. 5 decisions no doubt entities might, attributed warrant joinder party defendant. 6 Missouri Illinois, 180 208, 21 331, 45 L.Ed. 497, an Sanitary District seeking injunction restrain discharge Mississippi River. On demurrer complaint, argued was party. That argument rejected: 7 'The contention seems that, because matters complained proceed continue from acts corporation follows such, interested question, improperly 8 'We unable see force suggestion. does allege acting without excess lawful authority. averment conceded facts agency very things which, according theory complainant's case, result mischief apprehended. state results of—thus distinguishing Louisiana Texas (176 1, 20 251, 44 347), sought restrained were officers functionaries proceeding wrongful malevolent misapplication quarantine Texas. Chicago private corporation, formed purposes gain, whose existence operations wholly control State. 9 object subject work judicial supervision, upon allegations method construction maintenance create continuing nuisance, dangerous health neighboring inhabitants. Surely, would right appear traverse bill, and, having right, might properly defendant.' U.S., at 242, S.Ct., 344. 10 New York Jersey, 256 296, 41 492, 65 937, Jersey Passaic Valley Commissioners, Upper Bay. whether responsible them. said: 11 'Also, purpose showing responsibility proposed defendant, sets out, much detail, legislature authorizing directing part. 12 'Of sufficient say averments quite undenied, show commissioners constitute statutory, corporate action, actual intended, itself, regard it.' 302, 494. 13 most recent York, 345 369, 73 689, 97 1081. originally injunctive diversion Delaware River tributaries lying Pennsylvania subsequently allowed intervene. presented decision Philadelphia also intervene proceedings raised broad: 14 'All present parties formally opposed grounds intervention permit citizen contravention Eleventh Amendment; (2) Commonwealth represent interest parens patriae; (3) denied, event, sound discretion.' 372, 690. 15 denied Philadelphia's intervene, saying: 16 represents part who reside watershed depend undertook evaluate separate interests Pennsylvania, could, effect, drawn intramural dispute distribution Commonwealth. 17 'Our thus expanded dimensions ordinary class An intervenor already burden compelling his own apart creatures state, represented state.' 373, 691. added: 18 presence urged reason permitting But misconstrues City's position case. admitted discretion her request. She forcibly she authorized agent execution sovereign policy threatened injury Jersey. Because subordinate parent primary raises problems Amendment.' 374—375, 692. 19 conclude while, controversy, one. settled diversity citizenship, respective States.1 Bullard Cisco, 290 179, 54 177, 78 254; Cowles Mercer County, Wall. 118, 122, 86. subdivision purposes, then jurisdictional difference plaintiff action. being able bring used 1251(a)(1) read include subdivisions. That, mean head jurisdiction, '(b) may, however, 23 aspect now turn. II 24 Title '(t)he sum value costs, arises Constitution, laws, treaties 25 considerable seem put amount 1331(a). See Glenwood Light & company Mutual Light, Heat Power Co., 239 121, 36 30, 60 174; R. Ward, Black 485, 31; Ronzio Denver R.G.W.R. Cir., 116 Reporter, 2nd 604, 606; C. Wright, Law Courts 117 119 (2d ed. 1970); Note, Harv.L.Rev. 1369. arising hold does; includes suits 26 Brennan, speaking members Romero International Terminal Operating 358 354, 393, 79 468, 491, 368 (dissenting concurring), reached issue, concluded 'laws,' embraced law: 27 cannot accepted petitioner's rights judicially defined, created 'the States' 1331 .. context, recognized word decisions. converse situation extensive fashioning rules substantive These fully if had enacted Congress.' (Citations omitted.) Lower same conclusion. See, e.g., Murphy Colonial Savings Loan Assn., 388 609, 611-612 (CA2 1967); Stokes Adair, 265 662 (CA4 1959); Mater Holley, 123 (CA5 1952); American Institute, Study Division Jurisdiction Between 180—182 (1969). 29 Judge Harvey M. Johnsen Pankey, 441 236, 240, stated controlling principle: 30 'As field given necessary expansion concern relationship (where applicable statute exists, here), ecological improper impairment them outside State's territory, should, think, held basis standard directly constituting Chief Lumbard, panel Ivy Broadcasting Tel. 391 486, expressed view follows: 32 believe similarly 'arises under' dispositive require construed congressional legislation. rationale 1875 jurisdiction—to insure designed minimize danger hostility toward, specially suited vindication of, federally rights—is statute.' 33 natural meaning, supra, 393 n. 5, 490 (Brennan, J., dissenting support 34 As respects power Ames Kansas, 111 449, 470—472, 437, 447 448, 482, controlling. There Kansas number corporations involved, removed resisted, lacked gives Jurisdiction' 'all Party.' suing (id., 470, 447) 'may Circuit (now Courts) character parties.'2 Ibid. adhere ruling. III 35 numerous touching 1899 established surveillance Army Corps Engineers industrial pollution, including sewage, Rivers Harbors Act March 3, 1899, Statutes-at-Large 1121, Republic Steel 362 80 884, 903, Standard Oil 384 224, 86 1427, 492. reinforced broadened complex recently enacted. Act, 62 1155, amended, 1151, tightens discharges lower standards. By National Environmental Policy 1969, 83 852, 42 4321 seq., 'authorizes directs' policies, regulations, interpreted administered accordance policies set forth Act' Government identify develop methods procedures presently unquantified amenities values consideration decisionmaking along economic technical considerations.' Sec. 102, 4332. evinced aquatic environment affects conservation safeguarding fish wildlife resources. Fish Wildlife 1956, 70 1119, 742a; Sept. 22, 1959, 642, research migratory marine game fish, 760e; Coordination 48 401, 661. 37 Buttressed these new expanding issued Rules Regulations governing permits deposits Fed.Reg. 6564 seq. 38 1(b) declares 'to recognize, preserve, protect responsibilities preventing pollution.' makes clear federal, end controls waters.3 time establish standards, 10(c)(1), fails administrator4 promulgates 10(c)(2). Section 10(a) abatement' when 'endangers welfare persons.' abatement long-drawn out procedure unnecessary relate here. uses conference procedure, hoping amicable settlements. none reached, administrator Attorney behalf pollution. 10(g). 39 remedy precise scope remedies prescribed Congress. Yet available. 'It uncommon fashion concerned.' Textile Workers Lincoln Mills, 353 457, 77 912, 918, 972. When deal aspects, law,5 held. 40 10(b) save decree otherwise '(s)tate encouraged displaced action.' leading Georgia Tennessee Copper 206 230, 618, 51 1038, noxious gases causing wholesale destruction forests, orchards, crops Georgia. caution demands sort, injuries analogous torts, examined, dwelt 496, 520, 521, 50 572, 578, 579, Sup.Ct.Rep. 268. plain recognized, proved. union forcible nuisances impossible each, did thereby agree submit whatever done. They renounce possibility making reasonable still remaining quasi-sovereign interests; alternative 241, 512, 331.' 237, 619. 43 nature described fair demand territory polluted great scale sulphurous acid gas, forests mountains, better worse, domestic suffered, further destroyed act persons control, orchards hills endangered source. enforced be, notwithstanding hesitation feel suffering property left law.' Id., 238, Our concerning contain theme. Rights streams, questions boundaries, 'have presenting questions.'6 Hinderlider La Plata 304 92, 110, 58 803, 811, 82 1202. apportionment 'federal law' conclusive.7 46 problem apportioning stream, said Colorado, 46, 98, 655, 667, 956, 'through successive disputes practically building up called 379 674, 85 626, 596 (escheat intangible personal property), Florida, 306 398, 405, 59 563, 567, 817 (suit interpleader determine true domicile decedent death taxes). 47 Equitable stream often jurisdiction. Nebraska Wyoming, 325 589, 1332, 1815; supra; cf. Arizona California, 373 546, 562, 1468, 1478, 542. depends peculiar particular 'Priority appropriation guiding principle. physical climatic conditions, consumptive several sections river, rate return flows, extent uses, storage water, practical effect wasteful downstream areas, damage upstream areas compared benefits limitation imposed former—these factors. illustrative, exhaustive catalogue. indicate delicate adjustment made.' 1351. 49 comes spoken terms 'a nuisance,'8 313, 497; City, 283 473, 481, 519, 75 1176. 520—521, 268, 269 270, said, imagined river Danube, casus belli down, unless removed. resolved peaceful means court.' happen regulations pre-empt until pass, empowered appraise equities alleging creation governs,9 relevant. Cf. Connecticut Massachusetts, 282 660, 670, 286, 289, 602; 185 125, 146—147, 552, 559—560, 838. Thus, high water-quality ask strict honored compelled itself degrading neighbor. fixed govern; informed judgment chancellor largely govern. deny, prejudice, file. normally vehicle resolving exercise remit court10 adequate resolve issues. 52 So ordered. 53 equally different citizenship Postal Telegraph Cable Alabama, 155 487, 192, 194, 231. H.R.Rep. 308, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., Atlantic 104 (1947): conferred section virtue provision provide deny exclusiveness.' contrary indication Ohio Wyandotte Chemicals 401 493, 498 1005, 1009 256, based preoccupation ample granted Secretary Interior Quality 1965, assigned President Administrator Protection Agency pursuant Reorganization Plan 1970. 15623. various mark bounds useful guidelines decision. What connection 456—457, 972, here: is, applied 301(a)? apply 301(a) national labor laws. Labor Management Relations expressly furnishes points certain situations. Other lie penumbra express mandates. Some lack sanction solved looking legislation effectuate policy. inventiveness determined problem. interpretation govern, compatible 301, resorted order find rule best Any applied, absorbed independent source rights.' Woods Reed, Interstate Quality: Notes Case, Ariz.L.Rev. 691, 713 714; 56 Va.L.Rev. 458. requires us 619, 1038; Pelican insurance 127 265, 1370, 1373, 239; Federalist (A. Hamilton). Harlan indicated Banco Nacional de Cuba Sabbatino, 376 421—427, 84 923, 936—940, 804, overriding need uniform touches basic federalism, fashioned Clearfield Trust 318 363, 63 573, 87 838; D'Oench, Duhme Deposit 315 447, 676, 956; 249 703—713; L.Rev. 183. Certainly applying Michigan bounded, States. Those maintain governs overlook fact written Brandeis wrote Erie Tompkins, 64, 817, 1188, decided day. North Dakota Minnesota, 263 365, 374, 138, 139, 68 342, '(W)here change draining lands border, increases flow capacity greatly exceeded thrown farms latter comfort, prosperity farm owners resort relief. simple type injunction.' 'Federal varying individual entitled dealing domain. imperative era growing about conditions impairments impairment, conflicting disputes, assertions proliferating contentions inevitable. Until comprehensive administrative can rights. logic practicality regarding asserted federal-question self-evident.' 241 242. 'action reside, claim arose,' 1391(b), giving flexibility choice venue. 1407. Whatever municipality's immunity damages, Van Alstyne, Governmental Tort Liability: A Decade Change, 1966, U.Ill.L.F. 919, 944—948; Suffolk 832 (1970), stand footing. virtually unanimous holding municipalities injunctions nuisances. collected E. McQuillin, Municipal Corporations 49.51 (3d rev. 1968). Wis.Stat.Ann. 59.96(6)(b) (1957) suability metropolitan commissions. kind equitable accorded lies (Harrisonville Dickey Clay Mfg. 289 334, 602, 1208), causes suable jurisdiction: '(I)t generally municipality, individual, enjoined maintaining Thus municipal creating property, poisonous thereon, or, jurisdictions, obstruction drainage waters, discharging filth riparian owners, dumping garbage refuse, acts. Likewise, municipality operating governmental proprietary capacity, impairing And, irreparable irrespective resulting municipality.' 49.55.

Classification Label: 7