US top court backs landowners in EPA clean water case

[cali]

Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:09am EDT


By James Vicini

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that landowners may bring a civil lawsuit challenging a federal government order under the clean water law, a decision that sides with corporate groups and sharply curtails a key Environmental Protection Agency power.

The justices unanimously rejected the U.S. government's position that individuals or companies must first fail to comply with an EPA order and face potentially costly enforcement action before a court can review the case.

The opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia was a victory for an Idaho couple who challenged a 2007 EPA order that required them to restore a wetland they had filled with dirt and rock as they began to build a new vacation home near Priest Lake. They were also told to stop construction on the home.

The couple, Chantell and Michael Sackett, denied their property had ever contained a wetland and complained they were being forced to comply with an order without a court hearing.


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http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/21/usa-court-epa-idUSL2E8CVIHY20120321

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Oh goodie! Now more folks can wreck the environment to build vacation homes.

[cali]

2. I actually agree with this.

People should have the right to appeal.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. They were given the right to sue and that's fine. However, I still support

the EPA's rules on conserving wetlands. Filling one in to build a vacation home isn't a good thing.