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Nw. Envtl. Advocates v. United States Envtl. Prot. Agency

United States District Court, Western District of Washington
Oct 17, 2018
2:14-cv-0196-RSM (W.D. Wash. Oct. 17, 2018)

Opinion

2:14-cv-0196-RSM

10-17-2018

NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES, Plaintiff, v. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Defendant, and NORTHWEST PULP & PAPER ASS'N, et al., Defendant-Intervenors


ORDER GRANTING STAY PENDING VOLUNTARY RECONSIDERATION

RICARDO S. MARTINEZ CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

The Court, having considered the Joint Motion to Stay the Case Pending Voluntary Reconsideration of Certain Actions, in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states its intention to reconsider certain actions of either approving certain state water quality standards or determining that certain state provisions are not water quality standards subject to Clean Water Act section 303(c) review and approval, 33 U.S.C. § 1313(c), and for good cause shown, hereby GRANTS that Motion.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. This case shall be stayed pending EPA's administrative reconsideration of the referenced agency actions.

2. Once EPA completes its administrative reconsideration process of the referenced agency actions, by making approval or disapproval decisions, or by making a final determination that such provisions are not water quality standards subject to section 303(c) review, the Parties shall file an appropriate motion or motions seeking dismissal of this case or otherwise explaining why such dismissal is not appropriate.

3. For any referenced action subject to reconsideration: (a) for which EPA has not completed its administrative reconsideration, by making approval or disapproval decisions, or by making a final determination that such provisions are not water quality standards subject to section 303(c) review, by October 16, 2021; or (b) for which EPA has by that date completed its administrative reconsideration but the claim in the Amended Complaint pertaining to that action has not been rendered moot, then Plaintiff may by motion request that the Court lift the stay of this case and establish a briefing schedule for the adjudication of the claim corresponding to that action in Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (Dkt. 54) at Paragraphs 97(b), (c), (d) and (e) of Claim Three, Paragraph 104(a) of Claim Four related to WAC 173-201A-200(1)(c)(i) and WAC 173-201A-210(1)(c)(i), and Paragraphs 104(b), (c), (d) and (e) of Claim Four. Each Party reserves the right to argue that any such claim is or is not moot and to defend any such claim to be adjudicated.

4. Plaintiff reserves the right to petition the Court for its costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, associated with these claims. Defendant reserves the right to contest such a request.

5. Plaintiff and Defendant EPA shall file a periodic joint status report with this Court every 180 days, stating any relevant changes in the case and explaining whether the stay should continue.


Summaries of

Nw. Envtl. Advocates v. United States Envtl. Prot. Agency

United States District Court, Western District of Washington
Oct 17, 2018
2:14-cv-0196-RSM (W.D. Wash. Oct. 17, 2018)
Case details for

Nw. Envtl. Advocates v. United States Envtl. Prot. Agency

Case Details

Full title:NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES, Plaintiff, v. UNITED STATES…

Court:United States District Court, Western District of Washington

Date published: Oct 17, 2018

Citations

2:14-cv-0196-RSM (W.D. Wash. Oct. 17, 2018)