In one of the most significant environmental-related cases in recent years, the United States Supreme Court June 19 refused to expand the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate man-made ditches and remote wetlands.

If the Court had granted additional power to the federal agency, it could have led to even greater delays on transportation projects, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) said.

In a split decision of the consolidated cases of Rampanos v. United States and Carabell v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Court said the agency may have over extended its authority under the Clean Water Act by exerting jurisdiction over wetland areas with remote connections to “navigable waters.”

ARTBA, in partnership with the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the Nationwide Public Projects Coalition, filed a “friend of the court brief” late last year explaining these cases had the potential to either greatly expand or sensibly limit the authority of the Corps to issue permits for transportation construction projects in all areas of the country. State departments of transportation and local communities also could have been effectively removed from project-related decisions if the Corps was given more regulatory power, the brief said.

The brief also noted the transportation construction industry and state departments of transportation have been grappling with wetlands issues for years and often face confusing and conflicting interpretations on the scope of federal jurisdiction. This makes it very difficult to engage in long-term planning and increased costs due to permitting requirements, the brief said.

According to ARTBA, the June 19 decision by the Court sent a message that it does not view the Corps authority to regulate wetlands as without limit, and a signal that it would not be receptive to future Corps attempts to broaden the federal jurisdiction over wetlands.

Given the split decision, however, it is likely many of the wetlands and regulatory issues will still be reviewed in the future by lower courts on a case-by-case basis.

With Rampanos and Carabell decided, ARTBA said it would continue working with Congress and the federal agencies toward the legislative and regulatory goal of establishing clear wetlands regulations that effectively protect the nation’s environment and reduce delays to transportation improvement projects.

Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the transportation construction industry in the Nation’s Capital.

For more information, visit www.artba.org.

Today's top stories

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

Fay Preps Way for Pittsburgh International Airport Modernization Project

Volvo CE Continues to Perform, Transform During Slower Q1 2024

American Bridge Co. Leads Conn.'s East Haddam Swing Bridge Project

Pettibone Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Cary-Lift

Common Ground Alliance Hosts Conference & Expo in Colorado On Preventing Utility Damages

Going Beyond Diversity: Star Equipment's Rental Advantage

Volvo CE Launches Updated L30, L35 Compact Wheel Loaders