weinberger argued february decided april navy course using island puerto rico coast weapons training discharged ordnance waters surrounding island pilots missed land targets accidentally bombed waters intentionally bombed water targets respondents sued federal district enjoin navy operations alleging violation inter alia federal water pollution control act fwpca district finding discharges harmed quality water held navy violated fwpca discharging ordnance waters without first obtaining permit environmental protection agency ordered navy apply permit refused enjoin operations pending consideration permit application appeals vacated remanded instructions order navy cease violation obtained permit holding fwpca withdrew district equitable discretion order relief immediate prohibitory injunction held fwpca foreclose completely exercise district discretion rather requiring issue injunction statutory violations permits order relief considers necessary secure prompt compliance act relief include limited order immediate cessation pp grant jurisdiction ensure compliance statute suggest absolute duty grant injunctive relief circumstances federal judge sitting chancellor mechanically obligated grant injunction every violation law pp injunction means ensuring compliance tva hill distinguished since fwpca provides example fines criminal penalties fwpca purpose preserving integrity nation waters achieved compliance act including compliance permit requirements case discharge ordnance polluted waters although district refused enjoin discharge neither ignored statutory violation undercut purpose function permit system fwpca prohibition discharge pollutants overcome permit navy ordered seek pp statutory scheme whole contemplates exercise discretion balancing equities suggests congress intend deny courts discretion rely remedies immediate prohibitory injunction pp provision fwpca permitting president exempt federal facilities compliance permit requirements indicate congressional intent limit discretion act permits exercise equitable discretion whether source pollution private party federal agency order relief achieve compliance act whereas exemption permits noncompliance federal agencies extraordinary circumstances pp legislative history suggest congress intended deny courts traditional equitable discretion white delivered opinion burger brennan marshall blackmun powell rehnquist joined powell filed concurring opinion post stevens filed dissenting opinion post elinor stillman argued cause petitioners briefs solicitor general lee acting assistant attorney general liotta edward shawaker anne almy thomas flynn richard cornelius john hodges argued cause respondents brief hector reichard de cardona secretary justice puerto rico gerardo carlo timothy harker lawrence white justice white delivered opinion issue case whether federal water pollution control act fwpca act stat amended et seq ed supp iv requires district enjoin immediately discharges pollutants comply act permit requirements whether district retains discretion order relief achieve compliance appeals first circuit held act withdrew equitable discretion brown reverse many years navy used vieques island small island puerto rico coast weapons training currently atlantic fleet vessels assigned mediterranean sea indian ocean required complete training vieques permits full range exercises conditions similar combat training however pilots sometimes miss targets ordnance falls sea accidental bombings navigable waters occasionally intentional bombings water targets occur district found discharges harmed quality water respondents include governor puerto rico residents island sued enjoin navy operations island complaint alleged violations numerous federal environmental statutes various acts extensive hearing district found explicit terms act navy violated act discharging ordnance waters surrounding island without first obtaining permit environmental protection agency epa brown supp pr fwpca discharge pollutant requires national pollutant discharge elimination system npdes permit ed supp iv term discharge pollutant defined addition pollutant waters contiguous zone ocean point source vessel floating craft emphasis added dredged spoil solid waste incinerator residue sewage garbage sewage sludge munitions chemical wastes biological materials radioactive materials heat wrecked discarded equipment rock sand cellar dirt industrial municipal agricultural waste discharged water emphasis added discernible confined discrete conveyance including limited pipe ditch channel tunnel conduit well discrete fissure container rolling stock concentrated animal feeding operation vessel floating craft pollutants may discharged supp iv emphasis added district construed fwpca release ordnance aircraft ships navigable waters discharge pollutants even though epa administers act promulgated regulations setting effluent levels providing issuance npdes permit category pollutants recognizing violations act must cured district ordered navy apply npdes permit refused however enjoin navy operations pending consideration permit application explained navy technical violations causing appreciable harm environment moreover importance island training center granting injunctive relief sought cause grievous perhaps irreparable harm defendant navy general welfare nation district concluded injunction necessary ensure suitably prompt compliance navy support conclusion emphasized equity traditionally broad discretion deciding appropriate relief quoted classic description injunctive relief hecht bowles historic injunctive process designed deter punish appeals first circuit vacated district order remanded instructions order navy cease violation obtained permit relying tva hill held imminent violation endangered species act required injunctive relief appeals concluded district erred undertaking traditional balancing parties competing interests whether navy activities fact harm coastal waters absolute statutory obligation stop discharges pollutants permit procedure followed administrator environmental protection agency upon review evidence granted permit suggested order interfere significantly military preparedness navy request president grant exemption requirements interest national security case posed important question regarding power federal courts grant withhold equitable relief violations fwpca granted certiorari reverse ii goes without saying injunction equitable remedy remedy issues course harrisonville dickey clay mfg restrain act injurious consequences merely trifling consolidated canal mesa canal injunction issue intervention equity essential order effectually protect property rights injuries otherwise irremediable cavanaugh looney repeatedly held basis injunctive relief federal courts always irreparable injury inadequacy legal remedies rondeau mosinee paper sampson murray beacon theaters westover hecht bowles supra plaintiff defendant present competing claims injury traditional function equity arrive nice adjustment reconciliation competing claims hecht bowles supra cases balances conveniences parties possible injuries according may affected granting withholding injunction yakus essence equity jurisdiction power chancellor equity mould decree necessities particular case flexibility rather rigidity distinguished hecht bowles supra exercising sound discretion courts equity pay particular regard public consequences employing extraordinary remedy injunction railroad pullman thus noted award interlocutory injunction courts equity never regarded strictly matter right even though irreparable injury may otherwise result plaintiff injunction asked adversely affect public interest whose impairment even temporarily injunction bond compensate may public interest withhold relief final determination rights parties though postponement may burdensome plaintiff yakus supra omitted grant jurisdiction ensure compliance statute hardly suggests absolute duty circumstances federal judge sitting chancellor mechanically obligated grant injunction every violation law tva hill hecht bowles commonplace considerations applicable cases injunctions sought federal courts reflect practice background several hundred years history hecht bowles supra practice congress assuredly well aware course congress may intervene guide control exercise courts discretion lightly assume congress intended depart established principles hecht bowles supra said porter warner holding moreover comprehensiveness equitable jurisdiction denied limited absence clear valid legislative command unless statute many words necessary inescapable inference restricts jurisdiction equity full scope jurisdiction recognized applied great principles equity securing complete justice yielded light inferences doubtful construction brown swann pet conceded hill completion dam eliminate endangered species destroying critical habitat refusal enjoin action ignored explicit provisions endangered species act congress appeared us chosen snail darter dam purpose language statute limited remedies available district injunction vindicate objectives act case injunction means ensuring compliance fwpca example provides fines criminal penalties respondents suggest failure enjoin navy undermine integrity permit process allowing statutory violation continue integrity nation waters however permit process purpose fwpca congress explained objective fwpca restore maintain chemical physical biological integrity nation waters purpose achieved compliance act including compliance permit requirements however discharge ordnance polluted waters although district declined enjoin discharges neither ignored statutory violation undercut purpose function permit system ordered navy apply permit temporarily permanently allowed navy continue activities without permit hill also noted none limited hardship exemptions endangered species act even remotely apply tellico project prohibition fwpca discharge pollutants contrast overcome permit navy ordered seek senate report amendments explains permit program enacted committee recognizes impracticality effort halt pollution immediately scheme whole contemplates exercise discretion balancing equities militates conclusion congress intended deny courts traditional equitable discretion enforcing statute aspects statutory scheme also suggest congress intend deny courts discretion rely remedies immediate prohibitory injunction although ultimate objective fwpca eliminate discharges pollutants navigable waters statute sets forth scheme phased compliance enacted called achievement best practicable control technology currently available july best available technology economically achievable july scheme phased compliance suggests statute congress envisioned rather curtailed exercise discretion fwpca directs administrator epa seek injunction restrain immediately discharges pollutants finds presenting imminent substantial endangerment health persons welfare persons supp iv rule immediate cessation however limited indicated class violations kinds violations fwpca authorizes administrator epa commence civil action appropriate relief including permanent temporary injunction violation authorized issue compliance order provision makes clear congress anticipate discharges immediately enjoined consistent view administrative practice request immediate cessation orders rather enforcement actions typically result consent otherwise remedial order setting detailed schedule compliance designed cure identified violation act brief petitioners see milwaukee illinois statutory scheme contemplates equitable consideration appeals respondents attach particular weight provision fwpca permitting president exempt federal facilities compliance permit requirements supp iv suggest provision indicates congressional intent limit discretion according respondents exemption provision evidences congress determination paramount national interests justify failure comply president make judgment construe provision broadly read fwpca permitting exercise equitable discretion whether source pollution private party federal agency order relief achieve compliance act exemption serves different complementary purpose permitting noncompliance federal agencies extraordinary circumstances executive order cfr implements exemption authority requires federal agency requesting exemption certify meet applicable pollution standards exemptions granted president conflict pollution control standards crucial federal activities resolved development practicable remedial program brief petitioners navy receive permit need invoke machinery presidential exemption course remains open exemption provision enable president believing paramount national interests require authorize discharges district enjoined reading statute permit exercise equitable discretion way eliminates role exemption provision statutory scheme like language structure act legislative history suggest congress intended deny courts traditional equitable discretion congress passed amendments recognized national effort abate control water pollution inadequate every vital aspect past failings included enforcement efforts rivers harbors appropriation act refuse act et seq major purpose amendments establish comprehensive policy elimination water pollution supra permit system key policy amendments established new system regulation illegal anyone discharge pollutants nation waters except pursuant permit milwaukee illinois supra see generally epa california ex rel state water resources control board nonetheless writing enforcement procedures involving federal government committee drew extensively upon existing enforcement provisions refuse act supra violations refuse act automatically led courts issue injunctions see reserve mining epa rohm haas cert denied kennebec log driving remand supp iii explained hecht bowles major departure long tradition equity practice lightly implied construe statute issue favor interpretation affords full opportunity equity courts treat enforcement proceedings accordance traditional practices conditioned necessities public interest congress sought protect read fwpca foreclosing completely exercise discretion rather requiring district issue injunction statutory violations fwpca permits district order relief considers necessary secure prompt compliance act relief include limited order immediate cessation exercise equitable discretion must include ability deny well grant injunctive relief fully protect range public interests issue stage proceedings district face situation permit likely issue requirements objective statute therefore vindicated discharges permitted continue become clear permit issued compliance fwpca forthcoming statutory scheme purpose require reconsider balance struck congress enacting fwpca foreclosed exercise equitable discretion proper standard appellate review whether district abused discretion denying immediate cessation order navy applied permit reverse remand appeals proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes district also found navy violated national environmental policy act nepa failing file environmental impact statement eis reviewable environmental record support decision file statement brown supp pr failed nominate historic sites national register required national historic preservation act ibid ordered navy nominate sites file eis appeals remanded issues endangered species act national historic preservation act district consideration brown vacated order involving nepa remanded orders dismiss navy filed eis interim issue involving fwpca epa issues effluent limitations categories classes point sources see generally du pont de nemours train cfr part et seq situation somewhat similar us secretary interior migratory bird treaty act et seq ed supp iv regulated deposit shot water duck hunters miss targets national rifle assn kleppe supp dc affirmance order app district wrote fact anything waters aesthetically acceptable found anywhere plaintiff witnesses unanimously testified best fishing grounds vieques truth said control large areas vieques navy probably constitutes positive factor ecology fact navy zones modest numbers various marine species practically civilian sector vieques main island puerto rico eloquent example res ipsa loquitur omitted district also took consideration delay plaintiffs asserting claims concluded although laches totally bar claims strongly militate granting injunctive relief title supp iv provides relevant part president may exempt effluent source department agency instrumentality executive branch compliance requirement determines paramount interest exemptions shall granted due lack appropriation unless president shall specifically requested appropriation part budgetary process congress shall failed make available requested appropriation exemption shall period excess one year additional exemptions may granted periods exceed one year upon president making new determination president shall report january congress exemptions requirements section granted preceding calendar year together reason granting exemption objective statute respects similar sought nuisance suits courts fully exercised equitable discretion ingenuity ordering remedies spur industries del webb development boomer atlantic cement federal agencies must comply water pollution abatement requirements manner extent nongovernmental entity supp iv pointed ederal agencies department defense failing abate pollution navy applied npdes permit december may epa issued draft npdes permit notice intent issue permit fwpca requires certification compliance state water quality standards epa may issue npdes permit environmental quality board commonwealth puerto rico denied navy water quality certificate connection application npdes june february environmental quality board denied navy reconsideration request announced adhering original ruling letter dated april solicitor general informed clerk navy filed action challenging denial water quality certificate commonwealth puerto rico civ action dist pr explained amendments fwpca established npdes means achieving enforcing effluent limitations npdes unlawful person discharge pollutant without obtaining permit complying terms npdes permit serves transform generally applicable effluent limitations standards including based water quality obligations including timetable compliance individual discharger amendments provide direct administrative judicial enforcement permits exceptions enforcement purposes discharger compliance terms conditions npdes permit deemed compliance sections amendments permit conditions based short permit defines facilitates compliance enforcement preponderance discharger obligations amendments epa california ex rel state water resources control board omitted however held standards related phased compliance absolute see epa national crushed stone middlesex county sewerage authority national sea clammers concluded federal common law nuisance fwpca similar acts absence strong indicia contrary congressional intent compelled conclude congress provided precisely remedies considered appropriate see milwaukee illinois also observed construing act question thinks generally appropriate regulatory process congress intended du pont de nemours train read fwpca intending abolish courts equitable discretion ordering remedies statute issue hecht bowles contained language similar directed price administrator seek permanent temporary injunction restraining order order halt violations determined statutory language require issue injunction even administrator sued injunctive relief hecht equitable discretion overrode administrator properly refuse injunction circumstances hecht exercise discretion seems clearly appropriate case epa administrator party yet expressed judgment action district permitted obtain benefit epa recommendation deciding enjoin discharge hecht unlike violations ceased time injunction sought however explained cessation violations whether institution suit administrator bar issuance injunction thus contrary dissent characterization post base decision fact violations ceased see supra justice powell concurring join opinion view however record clearly establishes district case abuse discretion refusing enjoin immediate cessation discharges finding district acted well within equitable discretion left federal water pollution control act fwpca remand case appeals instructions decision district affirmed propriety disposition emphasized dissenting opinion justice stevens post agree view congress may limit equitable discretion granting remedies particular statute statutes may constrain discretion narrowly others stand however finding indication congress intended limit equitable discretion fwpca manner suggested justice stevens remand order might thought leave open whether district case acted within range permissible discretion fwpca promote clarity economy us hold district abuse discretion decision reinstated district thorough opinion demonstrates reasonableness decision light pertinent factors including course evident purpose statute district concluded matters fact navy violations caused appreciable harm brown supp pr indeed navy control area probably constitutes positive factor ecology moreover district found abundantly clear evidence record training takes place vieques vital defense interests balancing equities stood district declined order immediate cessation violations nonetheless issued affirmative orders aimed securing compliance law see read opinion district foreclose possibility ordering relief might become appropriate changed circumstances later date justice stevens dissenting appropriate remedy violation federal statute depends primarily terms statute character violation unless congress specifically commands particular form relief question remedy remains subject equitable discretion federal water pollution control act specifically command federal courts issue injunction every time unpermitted discharge pollutant occurs today obviously correct asserting injunctions issue automatically mechanically every case nevertheless equally clear enacting amendments fwpca congress channeled discretion federal judiciary much narrowly rather glib opinion suggests indeed although may well situations failure obtain npdes permit require immediate cessation discharges convinced congress circumscribed district courts discretion question remedy narrowly general rule immediate cessation must applied narrow category cases appeals quite correct holding case present kind exceptional situation justifies departure general rule mischaracterization appeals holding premise essay equitable discretion essay analytically flawed overlooks limitations equitable discretion apply cases public interests implicated defendant violation law ongoing greater importance opinion grants license federal judges carve gaping holes reticulated statutory scheme designed congress protect precious natural resource consequences ad hoc judgments specific discharges pollutants contrary impression created opinion appeals hold district absolute duty require compliance fwpca circumstances ante mechanically obligated grant injunction every violation law ibid absolute duty appeals mentioned navy duty obtain permit discharging pollutants waters vieques island light opinion point worth repeating navy like anyone else must obey law appeals hold district discretion formulating remedies statutory violations merely conclude district erred undertaking traditional balancing parties competing interests brown district free disregard congressional ordering priorities judiciary responsibility protect integrity process mandated congress ibid quoting jones lynn appeals distinguished statutory violation deemed merely technical navy utter disregard statutory mandate pointed order prohibiting discharge ordnance coastal waters vieques npdes permit obtained significantly affect navy training operations navy targets finally noted statute authorized navy obtain exemption president injunction significant effect national security see supp iv circumstances statutory violation blatant merely technical navy predicament foreseen accommodated congress appeals essentially held district retained discretion deny injunction discretion exercised district case wholly odds intent congress enacting fwpca essence district remedy judicial permit exempting navy operations vieques statute time obtain permit environmental protection agency statutory exemption president two principal bases temporary judicial permit matters congress commit judicial discretion first district persuaded pollution harming quality coastal waters see brown supp pr second concerned compliance act might adversely affect national security see appeals correctly noted first consideration business epa second business president unfairly uses appeals opinion case springboard lecture principles equitable remedies appeals reasoning correct respects recognized statute categorically prohibits discharges pollutants without permit unlike see ante recognized requested injunction remedy bring navy compliance statute congress timetable demonstrated none reasons offered district refusing injunctive relief consistent statute compelling circumstances position appeals effect federal courts equitable discretion constrained strong presumption favor enforcing law congress written reversing casts doubt validity position doubt especially dangerous environmental area temptations delay compliance already substantial ii cases concerning equitable remedies repeatedly identified two critical distinctions simply ignores today first distinction cases private interests involved requested injunction implicate public interest second within category public interest cases cases danger past violation law recur always treated differently existing violation certain continue yakus illustrates first distinction held congress constitutionally preclude private party obtaining injunction enforcement federal price control regulations pending adjudication validity balancing process explained special deference must given public interest even suits private interests involved award matter sound judicial discretion exercise balances conveniences parties possible injuries according may affected granting withholding injunction injunction asked adversely affect public interest whose impairment even temporarily injunction bond compensate may public interest withhold relief final determination rights parties though postponement may burdensome plaintiff omitted another application principle declared virginia ry system federation courts equity may frequently go much farther give withhold relief furtherance public interest accustomed go private interests involved contrast decision hecht today pays mere lipservice statutory mandate attaches weight fact navy violation law corrected cites precedent holding ongoing deliberate violation federal statute treated like private nuisance action chancellor widest discretion fashioning relief prior cases involving appropriate remedy ongoing violation federal law establish much stringent test applies today thus city county san francisco case government claimed city disposition electric power prohibited act congress held case call balancing equities invocation generalities judicial maxims order determine whether injunction issued equitable doctrines relied militate capacity equity proper forum make declared policy congress effective injunction prohibit continued violation policy appropriate necessary ibid albemarle paper moody plainly stated equitable remedy violation federal statute neither automatic one hand simply matter balancing equities albemarle holds district remedial decision must measured purposes inform act congress violated iii discussion fwpca creates impression congress intend significant change enforcement provisions rivers harbors appropriation act see ante goes far suggest fwpca little codification common law nuisance contrast casual attitude toward fwpca writing milwaukee illinois stark case refused allow federal judges supplement statutory enforcement scheme enjoining nuisance whereas case question whether federal judge may create loophole scheme refusing enjoin violation different standard used define scope judicial discretion two situations explained milwaukee illinois described fwpca terms statutory scheme established congress provides forum pursuit claims expert agencies means process quite inconsistent scheme federal courts effect write ticket guise federal common law permits already issued permittees planning operating reliance distinguishes tva hill ground endangered species act contained flat ban destruction critical habitats ante statute involved case also contains flat ban discharges pollutants coastal waters without permit surely congressional directive protect nation waters gradual possibly irreversible contamination less clear command protect snail darter assume congress placed greater value protection vanishing forms animal life protection water resources ignore text legislative history previously consistent interpretation statute true tva hill room compromise federal project statutory objective preserve endangered species either snail darter completion tellico dam sacrificed fwpca tells us congressional objective protect integrity nation waters protect integrity permit process ante therefore continues ante federal may compromise process chosen congress protect waters long content waters actually harmed particular discharge pollutants analysis however reasoning distinguish two cases courts better position decide whether permit process necessary achieve objectives fwpca decide whether destruction snail darter acceptable cost completing tellico dam congress made decisions nothing respective statutes legislative histories suggest congress invited federal courts former decision latter disregard respective roles three branches government also tarnishes principal argument favor expansive equitable discretion area points congress intended halt water pollution gradually immediately scheme whole contemplates exercise discretion balancing equities ante words congress enacted scheme phased compliance ibid equitable discretion enforcing statute therefore consistent statutory scheme sophistry premised gross misunderstanding statutory scheme naturally congress expect dischargers end pollution immediately rather entrusted expert administrative agencies task establishing timetables dischargers reach ultimate goal timetables determined agencies included npdes permits conditions permits constitute terms compliance statute measured quite obviously requirement discharger subject permit process crucial operation scheme phased compliance requiring discharger obtain permit continuing discharges pollutants congress demonstrated intolerance delay compliance statute also obvious exercise discretion balancing equities tasks delegated congress expert agencies federal courts yet simply ignores difference iv decision tva hill depend peculiar unique statutory language rest special interest snail darters decision reflected profound respect law proper allocation lawmaking responsibilities government refused sit committee review today authorizes freethinking federal judges instead requiring adherence carefully integrated statutory procedures assign nonjudicial decisionmakers responsibilities evaluating potential harm water supply well potential harm national security unnecessarily casually substitutes chancellor clumsy foot rule law respectfully dissent cf steelworkers frankfurter harlan concurring whether navy activities fact harm coastal waters absolute statutory obligation stop discharges pollutants permit procedure followed administrator environmental protection agency upon review evidence granted permit brown statement appeals entirely consistent comments senate report legislation nforcement violations based relatively narrow fact situations requiring minimum discretionary decision making delay issue courts factual one whether compliance pp statute expressly subjects federal agencies laws respecting control abatement water pollution manner extent nongovernmental entity supp iv indeed congress required federal agencies provide national leadership control water pollution supra model nation technical problems difficult doubtless reason congress vested authority administer act administrative agencies possessing necessary expertise general area particularly unsuited approach inevitable regime federal common law congress criticized past approaches water pollution control sporadic ad hoc leg hist apt characterizations judicial approach applying federal common law see wilburn boat fireman fund ins milwaukee illinois opinion national security considerations persuasive district matters suitable judicial evaluation congress wisely given president virtually unlimited authority exempt military statute national defense grounds grounds justify exemption case navy clearly obtained commander chief judge unlearned matters however makes curious argument presidential exemption intended permit noncompliance statute therefore merely complements equitable discretion district also authorize noncompliance ante district ordered navy file npdes permit deliberate speed brown supp pr quoting brown board education ironic comes aid navy even though congress authorized executive exemption federal particularly military operations analogous exemption important private activities even though congress intended federal agencies assume leadership role water pollution control effort paraphrase senate report federal government expect private industry obey law ceasing discharges pollutants permit obtained federal government willing obey law least invoke statutory exemption see navy continuous violation statute entire decade since enactment indeed unaware case permitted statutory violation continue steel seizure case justice frankfurter rejected government argument overriding public interest prevents issuance injunction despite illegality seizure balancing equities considering whether injunction issue lawyers jargon choosing conflicting public interests congress struck balance defined weight given competing interests equity justified ignoring pronouncement guise exercising equitable discretion youngstown sheet tube sawyer concurring opinion petitioners contend statutory scheme provides guidance beyond indicating backpay awards within district discretion disagree true backpay automatic mandatory remedy like remedies act one courts may invoke scheme implicitly recognizes may cases calling one remedy another owing structure federal judiciary choices course left first instance district courts however discretionary choices left inclination judgment judgment guided sound legal principles burr cas cc marshall power award backpay bestowed congress part complex legislative design directed historic evil national proportions must exercise power light large objectives act hecht bowles discretion equitable nature see curtis loether hardly means unfettered meaningful standards shielded thorough appellate review mitchell demario jewelry held face silent statute district courts enjoyed historic power equity award lost wages workmen unlawfully discriminated fair labor standards act stat amended simultaneously noted statutory purposes leave little room exercise discretion order reimbursement true quity eschews mechanical rules depends flexibility holmberg armbrecht congress invokes chancellor conscience transcendent legislative purposes required principled application standards consistent purposes equity varies like chancellor foot important national goals frustrated regime discretion produce different results breaches duty situations differentiated policy moragne marine lines albemarle paper moody footnotes omitted objective statute respects similar sought nuisance suits courts fully exercised equitable discretion ingenuity ordering remedies spur industries del webb development boomer atlantic cement ante indeed proposition consistently repeatedly unequivocally reaffirmed discharge pollutants water unlawful without permit issued administrator epa state developed program complies fwpca state train colorado public interest research group npdes unlawful person discharge pollutant without obtaining permit complying terms epa california ex rel state water resources control board conclude least far concerns claims respondents congress left formulation appropriate federal standards courts application often vague indeterminate nuisance concepts maxims equity jurisprudence rather occupied field establishment comprehensive regulatory program supervised expert administrative agency milwaukee illinois congress intent enacting amendments clearly establish program water pollution regulation every point source discharge prohibited unless covered permit directly subjects discharger administrative apparatus established congress achieve goals milwaukee illinois supra emphasis original omitted senate report emphasized timetables established throughout act met threat sanction must real enforcement provisions must swift direct establishment comprehensive program congress certainly exist illinois milwaukee decided strongly suggests room courts attempt improve program federal common law milwaukee illinois supra today holding federal inherent power grant exemptions statutory permit requirement presents dramatic contrast holding milwaukee illinois federal courts lack authority impose stringent effluent limitations federal common law imposed agency charged congress administering comprehensive scheme see also supra committee believes declaration section refuse act useful enforcement tool therefore section declares discharge pollutants unlawful committee believes important clarify point one right pollute committee recognizes impracticality effort halt pollution immediately therefore section provides exception discharge meets requirements section section others listed bill supra npdes permit serves transform generally applicable effluent limitations standards including based water quality obligations including timetable compliance individual discharger amendments provide direct administrative judicial enforcement permits exceptions enforcement purposes discharger compliance terms conditions npdes permit deemed compliance sections amendments permit conditions based short permit defines facilitates compliance enforcement preponderance discharger obligations amendments epa california ex rel state water resources control board citations omitted individual appraisal wisdom unwisdom particular course consciously selected congress put aside process interpreting statute meaning enactment discerned constitutionality determined judicial process comes end sit committee review vested power veto lines ascribed sir thomas robert bolt without relevance law roper law know legal right stick legal god currents eddies right wrong find ca navigate voyager thickets law oh forester cut great road law get devil last law devil turned round hide roper laws flat country planted thick laws coast coast man laws god cut really think stand upright winds blow yes give devil benefit law safety sake bolt man seasons act three plays heinemann ed agree appeals constitutional system commitment separation powers fundamental us congressional action judicially decreeing accords common sense public weal constitution vests responsibilities political branches tva hill