Bloomberg Sept. 20, 2019, Ellen M. Gilmer
• Maui County Council votes to settle Clean Water Act case
• Members disagree on whether mayor has final say
Local officials in Hawaii have decided to withdraw a major environmental case from the Supreme Court’s docket.
The Maui County Council voted 5-4 on Sept. 20 to settle County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, a case with big implications for the scope of the Clean Water Act.
The panel directed county officials to retreat from the Supreme Court case, which is scheduled for Nov. 6 oral arguments, and follow a settlement agreement reached during an earlier stage of litigation.
However, council members were divided on whether the body has authority to require the legal settlement, or if that authority lies with Mayor Michael Victorino, who opposes dropping the case.
More:
https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/maui-moves-to-nix-supreme-court-water-case-but-questions-linger
