Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center, where an environmental group sued the EPA and other parties because logging companies were not required to have pollution discharge permits for rain runoff on logging roads. The appeals court held that the rain runoff was associated with industrial activity, so discharge permits were required. The Supreme Court held that discharge permits were always required for road-based pollution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court held that the EPA's interpretation of its own regulation, which did not require permits for stormwater runoff from logging roads, was reasonable and entitled to deference. This meant that such runoff did not automatically require permits under the Clean Water Act, contrary to the appeals court's decision.

Decker V Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Where an Environmental Group Sued