ELR Citation: ELR 20509
No(s). 76-1557 (6th Cir. Jun 23, 1977)

The July 1, 1977 deadline under §301 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) for the achievement of best practicable technology need not be met when the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fails to meet his duty to publish appropriate interim effluent limitations by a fixed date. Republic Steel may operate its Canton, Ohio, steel mill under a state permit which allows noncompliance with the statutory deadline so that state-defined antipollution devices may be reasonably developed and installed. Since Congress expected EPA to promulgate the rules before subjecting dischargers to potential penalties, administrative failure to publish final regulations for alloy and stainless steel manufacturing excuses petitioner's noncompliance with the deadline. Consequently, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was not required to follow §301, and EPA lacked authority to reject the proposed permit. EPA may examine, however, sections of the permit other than the termination of the compliance schedule for consistency with the FWPCA.

Counsel for Petitioner
Eben H. Cockley, Ronald R. Janke
Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
1700 Union Commerce Bldg., Cleveland OH 44115
(216) 696-3939

Counsel for Federal Respondents
Robert Z. Zener, General Counsel; Ray McDevitt, Barry L. Maller
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., SW, Washington DC 20460
(202) 755-2511

George R. Alexander Jr., Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
230 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60604
(312) 353-2000

Thomas A. Pursley III
Department of Justice
Washington DC 20530
(202) 739-2808

Counsel for Respondent Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
E. Dennis Mucknichi
30 E. Broad St., 17th Floor, Columbus OH 43215
(614) 466-2766

Before: CELEBREZZE and LIVELY, Circuit Judges, and RUBIN,^* District Judge.