A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision gives landowners a new way to challenge some federal regulatory decisions pertaining to wetlands designation.
The 8-0 ruling said landowners can go straight to court after federal regulators decide that a piece of property containing wetlands is covered by the Clean Water Act. The decision may streamline the approval process for people and companies seeking to develop wetlands.
The case involved a proposed peat-mining operation on 530 acres in Minnesota. The property owners and a mining company, Hawkes Co., are fighting a decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers making the land subject to federal regulation.
The Obama administration argued that a landowner can’t sue until a permit application is rejected, or if the owner faces a federal enforcement action for proceeding without a permit.
U.S. appeals courts’ rulings had been divided on whether a regulatory decision involving restrictions on the use of property could be challenged immediately in federal court.
Related Stories
| Oct 2, 2014
California Energy Commission launches code upgrade process
The California Energy Commission launched the upgrade process to Title 24, the state energy code, last month.
| Oct 2, 2014
Canals to mitigate flooding could be in Boston’s future
The Urban Land Institute held brainstorming sessions over the last several months involving more than 70 engineers, architects, and development and insurance specialists to examine how rising sea levels would affect four representative areas in and around Boston.
| Oct 2, 2014
Los Angeles reverses ban on high-rise slanted roofs and spires
Los Angeles reversed course last month on a regulation that had barred skyscrapers from having slanted roofs or spires.
| Sep 29, 2014
10 common deficiencies in aging healthcare facilities
VOA's Douglas King pinpoints the top issues that arise during healthcare facilities assessments, including missing fire/smoke dampers, out-of-place fire alarms, and poorly constructed doorways.
| Sep 29, 2014
Report finds links between office design, health and productivity
A new report from the World Green Building Council finds “overwhelming evidence” to support office design as a significant influencer of the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
| Sep 29, 2014
San Francisco office tower is first U.S. building to earn LEED Platinum v4 certification
One Sansome Street, San Francisco is the first building in the U.S. to achieve LEED Platinum v4 certification. The building is also only the second property worldwide to be awarded with v4 certification.
| Sep 29, 2014
Navy to begin BIM phased implementation in October
The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command will begin its Building Information Management and Modeling (BIM) Phased Implementation Plan in October.
| Sep 18, 2014
GBCI to administer PEER certification for power grids and building projects
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will administer certification for the Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal (PEER) program.
| Sep 18, 2014
Master Painter Institute approves 55 new paint products
The Master Painter Institute has issued approvals for 55 new paint products.
| Sep 18, 2014
OSHA announces new requirements for reporting deaths and severe injuries
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a final rule requiring employers to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye.