Legal Document

523 U.S. 726118 S.Ct. 1665140 L.Ed.2d 921 OHIO FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, INC., Petitioner,v.SIERRA CLUB et al. No. 97-16. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Feb. 25, 1998. Decided May 18, Syllabus * Pursuant to National Forest Management Act 1976 (NFMA), Service developed a Land and Resource Plan (Plan) for Ohio's Wayne Forest. Although makes logging in forest more likely-it sets goals, selects areas suited timber production, determines which probable methods harvest are appropriate-it does not itself authorize cutting any trees. Before can permit logging, NFMA applicable regulations require it to: (a) propose particular site specific harvesting method, (b) ensure that project is consistent with Plan, (c) provide affected parties notice an opportunity be heard, (d) conduct environmental analysis project, (e) make final decision persons may challenge administrative court appeals. Furthermore, must revise as appropriate. When was first proposed, Sierra Club another organization (collectively Club) pursued various remedies bring about Plan's modification, then brought this suit challenging lawfulness on ground permits too much clearcutting. The District granted summary judgment, but Sixth Circuit reversed. latter found dispute justiciable because, inter alia, "ripe review'' held violated NFMA. Held: This justiciable, because ripe review. Pp. ____-____. In deciding whether agency ripe, has examined fitness issues judicial hardship withholding Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 136, 149, 87 1507, 1515-1516, 18 681. Such examination case reveals relevant factors, taken together, foreclose First, review will cause plaintiffs significant "hardship.'' Ibid. challenged provisions do create adverse effects strictly legal kind; example, they establish right cut trees or abolish authority object being cut. Cf. Los Angeles & Salt Lake R. Co., 273 299, 309-310, 47 413, 414-415, 71 L.Ed. 651. Nor would delaying practical harm. Given procedural requirements observe before need its now, await later time when harm imminent certain. Laboratories, U.S., at 152-154, S.Ct., 1517-1519. pointed other way could now force modify behavior avoid future consequences, as, sometimes immediate compliance through fear sanctions. Cf., e.g., id., 152-153, 1517-1518. Second, interfere system Congress specified reach decisions. From agency's perspective, hinder efforts refine policies revision application practice. 1515-1516. Here, possibility further consideration actually occur implemented real, theoretical. Third, courts benefit from factual development issues. See Duke Power Co. Carolina Environmental Study Group, Inc., 438 59, 82, 98 2620, 2635, 57 595. Review time-consuming details elaborate, technically based predicts consequences affect many different parcels land variety ways, themselves change over time. That have take place without focus proposals provide. And, depending upon actions expected implementation methods, turn out been unnecessary. FTC Standard Oil Cal., 449 232, 242, 101 488, 494, 66 416. Finally, specifically provided preimplementation such plans, unlike certain rules, cf., Lujan Wildlife Federation, 497 871, 891, 110 3177, 3190, 111 695, plans impact statements prepared pursuant Policy 1969 claims involving never get riper. cannot consider Club's argument hurt immediately ways yet mentioned. appearance briefs merits is, therefore, fairly presented. 105 F.3d 248, vacated remanded. BREYER, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Malcolm Stewart, Washington, DC, federal respondents. Steven P. Quarles, petitioner. Frederick M. Gittes, Columbus, OH, private Justice BREYER 1 challenges resource management plan adopted by We conclude controversy 2 (NFMA) requires Secretary Agriculture "develop, maintain, and, appropriate, units System.'' 90 Stat. 2949, renumbered amended, 16 U.S.C. §1604(a). System vast. It includes 155 national forests, 20 grasslands, 8 utilization projects, lands together occupy nearly 300,000 square miles located 44 States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands. §1609(a); 36 CFR §200.1(c)(2) (1997); Office Federal Register, Government Manual 135 (1997/1998). Service, manages System, develops NFMA, uses these "guide all natural activities,'' §219.1(b) (1997), including use "outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife fish, wilderness.'' §1604(e)(1). developing both commercial goals into account. See, §1604(g); §219.1(a) (1997). 3 focuses southern Ohio. wrote plan, consisted 178,000 federally owned acres (278 sq. mi.) three interspersed among privately lands, some acquire Forest, Department Agriculture, Eastern Region (1987) 1-3, 3-1, A-13 A-17 (hereinafter Plan). 126,000 (197 acres. Id., 4-7, 4-180. At same time, ceiling total amount wood cut-a amounts 75 million board feet 10 years, which, lead 8,000 (12.5 during decade. According 5,000 (7.8 those involve clearcutting, forms what calls "even-aged'' tree harvesting. 3-5, 4 §1604(k), "probable harvest,'' §1604(f)(2), must: area used, 4-20 4-25; 53 Fed.Reg. 26835-26836 (1988); §1604(i); §219.10(e) proposed 106 1419 (note following §1612); pt. 215, §217.1(b) 5-2; (NEPA), 42 §4332 seq.; 4-14, evaluate contemplate alternatives, 40 §§1502.14, 1508.9(b) 1-2; subsequently appeals process court, see 1419-1420 5 §701 seq. also 26834-26835 58 19370-19371 (1993). statute "revise'' "as appropriate'' Despite considerable distance between adoption moment cut, promulgation nonetheless likely precondition; absence place. ibid. (requiring plans); §1604(i) conform plans). Citizens Council Conservation Control each objected. effort Club), remedies. Administrative Decision Chief (Nov. 14, 1990), Pet. Cert. 66a; Appeal Decision, (Jan. 1992), 78a. lawsuit initially against Regional Forester, Supervisor. Ohio Forestry Association, whose members products obtained forest, intervened defendant. 6 Second Amended Complaint forth claims. states facts describe detail allege erroneous leads wrongly favor &Par; 13-47 Complaint), App. 16-23. relief: 7 claim relief says "defendants approving [National Forest] directing permitting below-cost sales accomplished means clearcutting'' laws Act, Procedure Act. ¶49, 24. second "defendants' under violate [their] duties public trustees.'' ¶52, 9 third that, selecting suitable defendants followed failed properly identify "economically unsuitable lands.'' 54-58, 25-26. adds Service's thereby permitted lands'' category where place, their authorizing statute, §1600 seq., were "arbitrary, capricious, abuse discretion, accordance law,'' ¶60, 26. finally requests declaration "is unlawful timbering, authorized plan,'' "injunction prohibiting and/or sales'' pending revision, costs attorneys fees, "such appropriate.'' (a)-(d), 26-27. 11 reviewed decided had acted lawfully making determinations challenged, judgment Service. Robertson, 845 F.Supp. 485, 503 (S.D.Ohio 1994). appealed. Appeals finding standing suit, since review,'' there no wait "until site-specific action occurs.'' Thomas, 250 (6th Cir.1997). disagreed merits. improperly favored clearcutting therefore 251-252. certiorari determine presents if so, conforms statutory regulatory plan. II 12 Petitioner alleges nonjusticiable lacks us-over specifications clearcutting-are adjudication. find Steel Better Environment, ----, n. 3, 118 1003, 1015, --- ---- (1998). 13 As previously out, ripeness requirement designed 14 "to prevent courts, avoidance premature adjudication, entangling abstract disagreements policies, protect agencies interference until formalized felt concrete parties.'' 148-149, 1515, 681 (1967). 15 not, review, "fitness decision'' "hardship consideration.'' 1515. To so case, we consider: (1) delayed plaintiffs; (2) intervention inappropriately action; (3) These considerations, present case. "withhol[d] consideration'' "hardship'' come term. For one thing, kind, sort traditionally qualified paraphrase Court's language 651 (1927) (Brandeis, J.), command anyone anything refrain doing anything; grant, withhold, formal license, power authority; subject civil criminal liability; rights obligations. Thus, give trees, nor anyone's trees' 17 inflicts interests advances-an important light modern cases. supra, site, prepare (if challenged) justify proposal court. Supra, __-__. thus ample Any might include (but only if) matters, i.e., plays causal role respect future, then-imminent, logging. Hence strong reason why order relief. 152, 1517. 1517-1518 (finding comply Drug Administration labeling rule once incur substantial economic risk serious penalties drug distribution); Columbia Broadcasting Inc. 316 407, 417-419, 62 1194, 1200-1201, 86 1563 (1942) burdensome Communications Commission loss license consequent harm). 19 say easier, certainly cheaper, mount than pursue eventually lead. explain, however, initial victory unlawfulness) preclusion principles, effectively carry day. 894, 3191-3192, 695 (1990). event, considered kind litigation cost-saving sufficient otherwise unripe. doctrine reflects disadvantages prove unnecessary ordinarily outweigh additional of-even repetitive-post-implementation litigation. ("The case-by-case approach . understandably frustrating respondent, objective across-the-board protection our Nation's forests But traditional, remains normal, mode operation courts''); 244, 495, 416 (1980); Renegotiation Bd. Bannercraft Clothing 415 1, 24, 94 1028, 1040-1041, 39 123 (1974); Petroleum Exploration, Public Serv. Comm'n, 304 209, 222, 834, 841, 82 1294 (1938). directed policies: response appropriate inconsistent 23807, 26836 (1988), practice, form proposals, applying purely criteria. 1515-1516; Pacific Gas Electric State Energy Resources Development 461 190, 201, 103 1713, 1720-1721, 752 (1983). 494 (premature "denies correct own mistakes apply expertise''). here, theoretical, real. 60 18886, 18901 (1995) (forest often fully implemented), 18905-18907 (discussing amending 19369, (1993) (citing indicating merely programmatic nature foresee forest); Nos. 92-09-11-0008, 92-09-11-0009 (Lodging II) (successful projects). Hearing 21 courts' regarding below evaluating whole "improperly skewed,'' rather allow improper, say, better cumulatively result F.3d, 250-251. course, implementation, 494. 22 type threatens "abstract policies,'' 148, seeks avoid. panel suffered general "bias'' production clear-cutting. "reduced manageable proportions,'' "factual components [were] fleshed action'' led majority either demonstrate bias record citation (which did do) abandon claim. 3190. All "significantly advance ability deal presented'' "aid us resolution.'' 595 (1978). 23 pre-implementation plans. Those tools planning management. consequently rules instructed "pre-enforcement.'' 3190; §2618 (Toxic Substances Act) (providing pre-enforcement action); 30 §1276(a) (Surface Mining Reclamation 1977) (same); §6976 (Resource Recovery 1976) §7607(b) (Clean Air 43 §1349(c)(3) (Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act); Harrison PPG Industries, 446 578, 592-593, 100 1889, 1897-1898, 64 525 (1980). standards guides resemble statement NEPA. NEPA, simply guarantees procedure, result. Compare, §1604(e) multiple coordinated wilderness) major significantly environment). person who injured failure NEPA procedure complain takes III 24 contrary argument. Specifically, "many intrusive activities, opening trails motorcycles using heavy machinery,'' activities "will go forward wilderness recreation.'' Brief Respondents 34. designated "affirmative measures promote undisturbed backcountry closing roads building hiking trails'' harms, Club, distant Rather, now. 25 suffers legally fatal problem here Complaint, read, Instead, method referred documents protests approval machinery, close trails, disruptions hiking. far tell, prior objected much, wrong of, 26 matter concedes raised kinds harm, produce different. Government's brief said 27 "If, incorporated off-road vehicles, injury party interest vehicles area.'' Appellees 94-3407(CA6), p. 20. 28 oral argument, Solicitor General agreed "that [the] allowing bird-watching something like, justiciable.'' Tr. Oral Arg. 5. believe raises presented them. IV 29 reasons, respondents' vacate Appeals, remand instructions dismiss. ordered. syllabus constitutes part Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499.

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