"The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that logging companies and forestry officials in Oregon were not required to obtain permits from the Environmental Protection Agency for storm-water runoff from logging roads."

"The decision was a blow to conservationists who had used the permit process to block the silty runoff from logging, which they said choked forest streams. The ruling also suggested that at least some members of the court may be open to a fundamental re-examination of how federal courts approach determinations by administrative agencies.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, writing for the majority in the 7-to-1 decision, said the agency’s conclusion that no permits were required was entitled to deference. 'It is well established,' he wrote, 'that an agency’s interpretation need not be the only possible reading of a regulation — or even the best one — to prevail.'"

Adam Liptak reports for the New York Times March 20, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Top Court Rules for Timber Industry Over Road Runoff" (Reuters) [3]

"Justices Uphold EPA's Policy on Logging Road Runoff" (Greenwire) [4]