{"argument_date":"2012-12-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2012-12-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the EPA rule change moots the dispute.","the opposing sides argue the case remains live and the ruling stands.","chief_justice_roberts_asked_if_respondents_can_challenge_the_new_rule","justice_ginsburg_asked_if_the_court_of_appeals_ruled_on_the_statute"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-13"}]}],"caption":"Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:34.868108Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek to strike down a Ninth Circuit ruling that mandates permits for logging road runoff. the opposing sides defend the ruling and oppose dismissal.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2012-12-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2012","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/11-338.html","primary_docket":"11-338","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T22:33:14.655831Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The dispute centers on whether the Clean Water Act requires permits for stormwater runoff from logging roads. the sides that brought the case argue the EPA rule is invalid. the opposing sides argue the rule is valid and the case remains live."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2012."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to dismiss the case as improvidently granted.","the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the Ninth Circuit ruling."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the EPA rule change moots the dispute.","the opposing sides argue the case remains live and the ruling stands."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if the opposing sides can challenge the new rule.","Justice Ginsburg asked if the court of appeals ruled on the statute."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines whether logging roads require stormwater permits. It affects environmental regulation and industry compliance costs. The outcome shapes federal oversight of industrial runoff."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 43-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-13"}]}],"slug":"2012-11-338-decker-v-northwest-environmental-defense-center","term":"2012","title":"Does the Clean Water Act require permits for stormwater runoff from logging roads?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 37-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 37-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 45-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 45-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2012/11-338.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-29"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}