United States v. Republic Steel Corporation (1959)
- Docket
- 56
- Decided
- 1959-01-01
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: (1) Is the discharge of industrial waste from steel mills into a navigable waterway a violation of the Rivers and Waters Act? (2) If so, is the U.S. entitled to an order compelling removal of the waste and enjoining further waste disposal? Conclusion: Yes, yes. Justice William O. Douglas, writing for a 5-4 majority, reversed and remanded. The Supreme Court held that the deposits were an obstruction within the meaning of the act and were not exempt. The Court also held that the district court was authorized to issue an injunction against the steel companies. Justice John M. Harlan dissented, arguing that the majority incorrectly interpreted the Rivers and Waters Act. He argued that “obstruction” only referred to certain kinds of obstruction, not including industrial waste. Justice Felix Frankfurter, Justice Charles E. Whittaker, and Justice Potter Stewart joined in the dissent.