County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund: What Happens Now?

The recent Supreme Court decision in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund impacts the Clean Water Act (CWA) regarding groundwater contamination. This ruling questions permit requirements for pollutants reaching navigable waters via groundwater. With the Court’s factors for determining the “functional equivalent” of direct discharge, industries now face a complex legal landscape. Stakeholders must stay informed about potential effects on their operations and compliance.

Supreme Court: Groundwater Discharges to Navigable Waters Require a Permit When ‘Functionally Equivalent’ to a Direct Discharge

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court determined that groundwater discharges to navigable waters require a permit if they are the “functional equivalent” of a direct discharge. The case, County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, reinterprets the Clean Water Act by considering time and distance in permitting. This ruling balances environmental protection with state regulation of groundwater pollution. Learn how this decision affects water regulation and future environmental cases.