Forum
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Case Status
Decided
Docket Number
Case Updates
Sixth Circuit denies petition for rehearing en banc
April 21, 2016
Sixth Circuit rules it has jurisdiction over Waters of the United States rule
February 22, 2016
The Sixth Circuit determined it has jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act to entertain petitions for review to challenge the rule. The ruling was fractured, with three separate opinions: an opinion for the court, a concurring opinion, and a dissenting opinion. The stay remains in effect.
Stay issued
October 09, 2015
A divided panel of the Sixth Circuit issued a nationwide stay of the WOTUS rule.
U.S. Chamber files lawsuit challenging WOTUS rule
July 12, 2015
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with the National Federation of Independent Business, Portland Cement Association, State Chamber of Oklahoma and Tulsa Regional Chamber, filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking to overturn a regulation often referred to as the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule, which would dramatically expand the areas regulated under the Clean Water Act.
The lawsuit alleges that the EPA’s WOTUS rule disrupts the careful balance Congress set forth in the Clean Water Act, which gives the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers the authority to regulate interstate navigable waters but specifically preserves the primary role of the States in planning the development and use of local land and water resources. The lawsuit also alleges that the Agencies failed to comply with their statutory obligation to assess the economic harm numerous industries and small businesses will suffer because of the regulation.
James P. McCann, John J. Carwile, and Mary E. Kindelt of McDonald, McCann, Metcalf & Carwile, LLP served as co-counsel for the U.S. Chamber, et al. in this case, as well as Michael H. Park, William S. Consovoy, Thomas R. McCarthy, and J. Michael Connolly of Consovoy McCarthy Park PLLC.
The case is docketed as In re: Murray Energy Corporation v. EPA, et al.
U.S. Chamber petition for review filed 7/29/2015. Transferred to the Sixth Circuit.
U.S. Chamber motion to dismiss filed 10/2/2015. Order of stay issued 10/9/2015.
Cause for motion to dismiss argued 12/8/2015.
Opinion issued 2/22/2016, holding that jurisdiction lies with Sixth Circuit. All pending motions to dismiss are denied.
U.S. Chamber opening brief on the merits filed 11/1/2016.
Order issued 1/25/2017 granting the motion to hold the briefing in abeyance pending the Supreme Court's decision in National Association of Manufacturers v. Department of Defense.
Executive order signed 2/28/2017 instructing the EPA to consider the rule.
Case Documents
- U.S. Chamber Petition for Review -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Opposition to Consolidation -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- U.S. Chamber, et al. Motion to Dismiss -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Order of Stay -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Opinion re Jurisdiction -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Petition for Rehearing En Banc by Petitioners -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Respondents' Combined Opposition to Rehearing -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Order Denying Rehearing En Banc -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- U.S. Chamber, et al. Opening Brief (Merits) -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf
- Order Granting Motion to Hold Briefing in Abeyance -- Chamber v. EPA (CA6).pdf