The U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petition for Review of Clean Water Act Ruling That Could Adversely Affect Farmers and Ranchers

The United States Supreme Court on June 16 denied a petition to review the Ninth Circuit's decision in Pronsolino v. Nastri. The denial leaves in place a decision upholding EPA's authority to establish "total maximum daily loads" (TMDLs) under the Clean Water Act for waters impaired solely by nonpoint source pollution such as runoff from agricultural and forest lands. See Pronsolino v. Nastri, 291 F.3d 1123 (9th Cir. 2002).