philadelphia new jersey argued march decided june new jersey statute ch prohibits importation solid liquid waste originated collected outside territorial limits state held violate commerce clause constitution pp objects interstate trade merit commerce clause protection none excluded definition commerce outset hence contrary suggestion doubt banning valueless wastes ch implicates constitutional protection bowman chicago distinguished pp crucial inquiry must directed determining whether ch basically economic protectionist measure thus virtually per se invalid law directed legitimate local concerns incidental effects interstate commerce pike bruce church pp since evil protectionism reside legislative means well legislative ends immaterial whether legislative purpose ch protect new jersey environment economy whatever purpose may accomplished discriminating articles commerce coming outside state unless reason apart origin treat differently face plain effect ch violates principle state may attempt isolate problem common many erecting barrier movement interstate trade ch seeks imposing commercial interests full burden conserving new jersey remaining landfill space pp new jersey statute likened quarantine law bans importation articles commerce innate harmfulness origin though new jersey concedes waste different domestic waste banned former leaving landfill sites open latter thus trying saddle outside state entire burden slowing flow wastes new jersey remaining landfill sites pp stewart delivered opinion brennan white marshall blackmun powell stevens joined rehnquist filed dissenting opinion burger joined post herbert moore argued cause appellants briefs arthur meisel stephen skillman assistant attorney general new jersey argued cause appellees brief john degnan attorney general deborah poritz nathan edelstein deputy attorneys general jefferson davis michael hogan filed brief board chosen freeholders county burlington amicus curiae urging affirmance briefs amici curiae filed jeffrey schwartz american public health assn william brashares national solid wastes management assn justice stewart delivered opinion new jersey law prohibits importation solid liquid waste originated collected outside territorial limits state case required decide whether statutory prohibition violates commerce clause constitution statutory provision question ch laws took effect early pertinent part provides person shall bring state solid liquid waste originated collected outside territorial limits state except garbage fed swine state new jersey commissioner state department environmental protection shall determine action permitted without endangering public health safety welfare promulgated regulations permitting regulating treatment disposal waste state stat ann west supp immediately affected developments operators private landfills new jersey several cities agreements operators waste disposal brought suit new jersey department environmental protection state attacking statute regulations number state federal grounds oral opinion granting plaintiffs motion summary judgment trial declared law unconstitutional discriminated interstate commerce new jersey consolidated case another reaching conclusion hackensack meadowlands development municipal sanitary landfill super reversed found ch advanced vital health environmental objectives economic discrimination little burden upon interstate commerce law therefore permissible commerce clause constitution also found congressional intent ch enacting solid waste disposal act stat et amended resource recovery act stat plaintiffs appealed noting probable jurisdiction hearing oral argument remanded reconsideration appellants preemption claim light newly enacted resource conservation recovery act stat new jersey found federal state law noted probable jurisdiction agree new jersey state law federal legislation dispositive question therefore whether law constitutionally permissible light commerce clause constitution ii addressed merits appellants claim new jersey questioned whether interstate movement wastes banned ch commerce within meaning commerce clause doubts score laid rest outset state expressed view may two definitions commerce constitutional purposes relied support exertion federal control regulation commerce clause permits sweeping concept commerce relied strike restrict state legislation clause term commerce much confined reach ibid state reached conclusion attempt reconcile modern commerce clause concepts several old cases holding prohibit importation objects legitimate subjects trade commerce bowman chicago northwestern articles include items account existing condition bring spread disease pestilence death rags substances infected germs yellow fever virus cattle meat provisions diseased decayed otherwise condition quality unfit human use consumption ibid see also baldwin seelig cases cited therein state found ch narrowed state regulations see supra banned wastes put effective use therefore wastes commerce unless mere transportation disposal valueless waste constitutes interstate commerce within meaning constitutional provision think state misread cases thus erred assuming require definition commerce saying innately harmful articles legitimate subjects trade commerce bowman stating conclusion starting point reasoning objects interstate trade merit commerce clause protection none excluded definition outset bowman similar cases held simply articles worth interstate commerce far outweighed dangers inhering movement prohibit transportation across state lines hence reject state suggestion banning valueless wastes ch implicates constitutional protection congress power regulate interstate movement wastes free constitutional scrutiny restrict movement cf hughes alexandria scrap meat drivers iii although constitution gives congress power regulate commerce among many subjects potential federal regulation power inevitably escape congressional attention local character number diversity south carolina state highway dept barnwell absence federal legislation subjects open control long act within restraints imposed commerce clause see raymond motor transportation rice bounds restraints appear nowhere words commerce clause emerged gradually decisions giving effect basic purpose broad purpose well expressed justice jackson opinion hood sons du mond principle economic unit nation alone gamut powers necessary control economy including vital power erecting customs barriers foreign competition corollary separable economic units said baldwin seelig ultimate principle one state dealings another may place position economic isolation statute regulates evenhandedly effectuate legitimate local public interest effects interstate commerce incidental upheld unless burden imposed commerce clearly excessive relation putative local benefits legitimate local purpose found question becomes one degree extent burden tolerated course depend nature local interest involved whether promoted well lesser impact interstate activities crucial inquiry therefore must directed determining whether ch basically protectionist measure whether fairly viewed law directed legitimate local concerns effects upon interstate commerce incidental purpose ch set statute follows legislature finds determines volume solid liquid waste continues rapidly increase treatment disposal wastes continues pose even greater threat quality environment new jersey available appropriate land fill sites within state diminished environment continues threatened treatment disposal waste originated collected outside state public health safety welfare require treatment disposal within state wastes generated outside state prohibited appellants strenuously contend ch outwardly cloaked currently fashionable garb environmental protection actually legislative effort suppress competition stabilize cost solid waste disposal new jersey residents cite passages legislative history suggesting problem addressed ch primarily financial stemming flow waste certain landfill sites extend lives thus delaying day new jersey cities must transport waste distant expensive sites appellees hand deny ch motivated financial concerns economic protectionism words brief new jersey commercial interests stand gain advantage competitors outside state result ban dumping waste noting new jersey landfill operators among plaintiffs appellee brief argues complaint new jersey forged economic preference commercial interests rather denied small group entrepreneurs economic opportunity traffic waste order protect health safety welfare citizenry large dispute ultimate legislative purpose need resolved resolution relevant constitutional issue decided case contrary evident assumption state parties evil protectionism reside legislative means well legislative ends thus matter whether ultimate aim ch reduce waste disposal costs new jersey residents save remaining open lands pollution assume new jersey every right protect residents pocketbooks well environment may assumed well new jersey may pursue ends slowing flow waste state remaining landfills even though interstate commerce may incidentally affected whatever new jersey ultimate purpose may accomplished discriminating articles commerce coming outside state unless reason apart origin treat differently face plain effect ch violates principle nondiscrimination consistently found parochial legislation kind constitutionally invalid whether ultimate aim legislation assure steady supply milk erecting barriers allegedly ruinous outside competition baldwin seelig create jobs keeping industry within state packing haydel johnson haydel toomer witsell preserve state financial resources depletion fencing indigent immigrants edwards california cases presumably legitimate goal sought achieved illegitimate means isolating state national economy also relevant decisions holding state may accord inhabitants preferred right access consumers natural resources located within borders west kansas natural gas pennsylvania west virginia cases stand basic principle state without power prevent privately owned articles trade shipped sold interstate commerce ground required satisfy local demands needed people state packing haydel supra new jersey law issue case falls squarely within area commerce clause puts limits state regulation face imposes commercial interests full burden conserving state remaining landfill space true previous cases scarce natural resource article commerce whereas scarce resource article commerce distinct difference without consequence instances state overtly moved slow freeze flow commerce protectionist reasons matter state shut article commerce inside state one case outside state crucial attempt one state isolate problem common many erecting barrier movement interstate trade appellees argue laws facially discriminate commerce forbidden protectionist regulations particular point quarantine laws repeatedly upheld even though appear single interstate commerce special treatment see baldwin seelig supra bowman chicago northwestern appellees view ch analogous measures since reduces exposure new jersey residents allegedly harmful effects landfill sites true certain quarantine laws considered forbidden protectionist measures even though directed commerce see asbell kansas reid colorado bowman chicago northwestern supra quarantine laws banned importation articles diseased livestock required destruction soon possible movement risked contagion evils laws thus discriminate interstate commerce simply prevented traffic noxious articles whatever origin new jersey statute quarantine law claim movement waste new jersey endangers health waste must disposed soon close point generation possible harms caused waste said arise disposal landfill sites point new jersey concedes basis distinguish waste domestic waste one inherently harmful yet new jersey banned former leaving landfill sites open latter new jersey law blocks importation waste obvious effort saddle outside state entire burden slowing flow refuse new jersey remaining landfill sites legislative effort clearly impermissible commerce clause constitution today cities pennsylvania new york find expedient necessary send waste new jersey disposal new jersey claims right close borders traffic tomorrow cities new jersey may find expedient necessary send waste pennsylvania new york disposal might claim right close borders commerce clause protect new jersey future protects neighbors efforts one state isolate stream interstate commerce problem shared judgment reversed footnotes effective february regulations provided follows person shall bring state accept disposal state solid liquid waste originated collected outside territorial limits state section shall apply garbage fed swine state new jersey separated waste material including newsprint paper glass metals free putrescible materials mixed solid liquid waste intended recycling reclamation facility municipal solid waste separated processed usable secondary materials including fuel heat resource recovery facility provided less per cent facility separated processed usable secondary materials pesticides hazardous waste chemical waste bulk liquid bulk treated processed recovered solid waste disposal facility registered department treatment processing recovery disposal lands state admin code supp decision new jersey disposed appellants commerce clause claims remanded case trial proceedings claims appellants dismissed prejudice counts complaint final judgment appeal surviving provisions solid waste disposal act stat resource discovery act stat resource conservation recovery act stat codified solid waste disposal act found et seq review federal legislation find clear manifest purpose congress rice santa fe elevator entire field interstate waste management transportation either express statutory command see jones rath packing implicit legislative design see city burbank lockheed air terminal contrary congress expressly provided collection disposal solid wastes continue primarily function state regional local agencies similarly ch square conflict particular provisions federal law general incompatibility basic federal objectives see ray atlantic richfield jones rath packing supra short agree new jersey ch enforced consistently program goals respective roles intended congress enacted federal legislation art cl express opinion new jersey power consistent commerce clause restrict state residents access resources compare douglas seacoast products rehnquist concurring dissenting toomer witsell new jersey power spend state funds solely behalf state residents businesses compare hughes alexandria scrap stevens concurring brennan dissenting also compare south carolina state highway dept barnwell southern pacific arizona ex rel sullivan justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting growing problem nation sanitary treatment disposal solid waste many years solid waste incinerated significant environmental problems attendant incineration however method solid waste disposal declined use many localities including new jersey sanitary landfills replaced incineration principal method disposing solid waste ch laws state new jersey legislatively recognized unfortunate fact landfills also present extremely serious health safety problems first new jersey virtually sanitary landfills expected produce leachate noxious highly polluted liquid seldom visible frequently pollutes ground surface waters app natural decomposition process occurs landfills also produces large quantities methane thereby presents significant explosion hazard landfills also generate health hazards caused rodents fires scavenger birds needless say help new jersey aesthetic appearance new jersey noise water air pollution problems supp app health safety hazards associated landfills present appellees currently unsolvable dilemma hopefully safer methods disposing solid wastes still development stage presently used appellees obviously completely stop tide solid waste citizens produce interim moment therefore appellees must continue use sanitary landfills dispose new jersey solid waste despite critical environmental problems thereby created question presented case whether new jersey must also continue receive dispose solid waste neighboring even though inexorably increase health problems discussed answers question affirmative new jersey must either prohibit landfill operations leaving cast presently nonexistent solution serious problem disposing waste generated within borders must accept waste every portion thereby multiplying health safety problems result dealt wastes generated within state past precedents establish commerce clause present appellees hobson choice dissent recognizes ante prohibit importation items account existing condition bring spread disease pestilence death rags substances infected germs yellow fever virus cattle meat provisions diseased decayed otherwise condition quality unfit human use consumption bowman chicago northwestern see baldwin seelig sligh kirkwood asbell kansas railroad husen points quarantine laws considered forbidden protectionist measures even though directed commerce ante emphasis added opinion cases dispositive present one new jersey may require rags diseased meat disposed best possible within state time prohibit importation items disposal facilities set within new jersey disposal material generated within state physical fact life new jersey must somehow dispose noxious items mean must serve depository every state similarly new jersey free past precedents prohibit importation solid waste health safety problems waste poses citizens fact new jersey continues indeed must continue dispose solid waste mean new jersey may prohibit importation even solid waste state simply see way distinguish solid waste record case germinfected rags diseased meat noxious items effort distinguish prior cases unconvincing first asserts quarantine laws previously upheld banned importation articles diseased livestock required destruction soon possible movement risked contagion evils ante according new jersey law distinguishable laws invalid concern new jersey movement solid waste present inability safely dispose reaches destination think far clear state law limited focus imputes solid waste health hazard reaches destination may likelihood equally great health hazard transit even correct characterization new jersey concerns see state may ban importation items whose movement risks contagion ban importation items although may transported state without undue hazard simply pile ever increasing danger public health safety commerce clause drawn view validity state laws turn pointless distinctions second implies challenged laws must invalidated new jersey left landfills open domestic waste notes ante repeatedly upheld quarantine laws even though appear single interstate commerce special treatment fact new jersey left landfill sites open domestic waste course mean solid waste innately harmful mean new jersey prohibits importation solid waste reasons health safety population new jersey must sheer necessity treat dispose solid waste fashion must treat new jersey cattle suffering disease follow new jersey must commerce clause accept solid waste diseased cattle outside borders thereby exacerbate problems new jersey expressly found ch passed preserve health new jersey residents keeping exposure solid waste landfill areas minimum points absolutely evidence contradict finding new jersey find basis distinguishing laws challenge past cases upholding state laws prohibit importation items endanger population state dissent congress specifically recognized substantial dangers environment public health posed current methods disposing solid waste resource conservation recovery act stat recognizes ante laws challenge enforced consistently program goals respective roles intended congress enacted legislation thus federal statutes regulations new jersey department environmental protection except ban refuse types solid waste may value recycling use fuel app thus ban challenge appear strictly limited waste disposed sanitary landfills thereby pose health safety dangers citizens new jersey