"Supreme Court justices today declined to consider whether moving — but not adding — rocks, sand and other debris within a regulated waterway is subject to Clean Water Act restrictions.

The court's decision not to take up the Eastern Oregon Mining Association's petition came as a disappointment for operators that use suction dredge mining, an industrial process similar to panning for gold in a river.

The rejection carries big financial implications, said Pacific Legal Foundation senior attorney Damien Schiff, who represented the mining association."

Pamela King reports for E&E News June 15, 2020. [2]