October Term 2000 · Docket 99-1178
Does the Clean Water Act cover isolated wetlands?
A county group challenges federal wetland protection rules.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Wallace cited the Act's goal to protect wildlife.
Mr. Bishop represented the county group.
Chief Justice Rehnquist introduced the case.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Clean Water Act aims to protect water quality and wildlife.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 31, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
The county group seeks to limit federal wetland authority.
The Army Corps seeks to maintain broad wetland protection.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
What each side says
The county group argues the law excludes isolated wetlands.
The Army Corps argues the law protects all wetlands.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
What the justices asked
Does the statute cover isolated wetlands?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
Why it matters
This case defines federal power over local wetlands.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-13
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.