ELR Citation: ELR 20312
No(s). 83-926-Civ-J-14 (M.D. Fla. Jan 28, 1985)

The court holds that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) does not waive federal sovereign immunity with regard to state laws establishing liability for cleanup of hazardous waste spills. Section 6001 of RCRA makes federal agencies responsible for compliance with state "requirements" respecting control of hazardous waste. A review of the legislative history of §6001 and its parallel provision in the Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act indicates that Congress equated "requirements" with generally applicable pollution control standards. Courts interpreting such provisions in statutes other than RCRA have universally reached the same conclusion. Finding the Florida liability provision dissimilar from such objective regulatory standards, the court rules that RCRA §6001 is not an unambiguous waiver of immunity for liability actions and dismisses the United States Department of the Navy as a defendant.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
Thomas Maurer, Richard P. Lee
2600 Blair Stone Rd., Suite 654, Tallahassee FL 32301
(904) 488-9730

Counsel for Defendants
Dorothea Beane, Ass't U.S. Attorney
P.O. Box 600, Jacksonville FL 32202
(904) 791-2682

James A. Bledsoe Jr., Harold S. Lippes
Bledsoe & Schmidt, P.A.
2900 Independent Square, Jacksonville FL 32202
(904) 356-2900

George D. Gabel Jr., Mitchel E. Woodlief
Wahl & Gabel
Suite 920, Barnett Bank Bldg., 112 West Adams St.,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 353-7329

John L. Wittenborn, Ass't Attorney General
Department of Justice
Land and Natural Resources Division
P.O. Box 7415, Washington DC 20044
(202) 633-2182