Save Our Sound OBX, Inc., et al v. North Carolina Department of Transportation, et al
Filing
66
MEMORANDUM AND OPINION - The state defendants partial motion to dismiss based upon claimed untimeliness of plaintiffs comments is denied where submission of comments is no prerequisite to judicial review in actions of this nat ure. The conservation groups partial motion to dismiss is denied for the same reason and, in addition, because plaintiffs adequately have alleged injury falling within the zone of interests protected by Section 4(f) and because the scope of plaintiffs challenge is properly limited to reviewable documents.For the reasons set forth herein, the court denied defendants motions. Signed by District Judge Louise Wood Flanagan on 9/5/2017. (Collins, S.)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
NORTHERN DIVISION
NO. 2:17-CV-4-FL
SAVE OUR SOUND OBX, INC.;
THOMAS ASCHMONEIT; RICHARD
AYELLA; DAVID HADLEY; MARK
HAINES; JER MEHTA; and GLENN
STEVENS,
Plaintiffs,
v.
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION; JAMES H.
TROGDON, III in his official capacity as
Secretary of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation; FEDERAL
HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION; and
JOHN F. SULLIVAN, III, in his official
capacity as Division Administrator for the
Federal Highway Administration;
Defendants,
and
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE; and
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
ASSOCIATION,
Intervenor-Defendants.
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MEMORANDUM OPINION
This memorandum opinion sets forth reasons for the court’s decision entered August 30,
2017, to deny partial motions to dismiss filed by defendants North Carolina Department of
Transportation (“NCDOT”) and James H. Trogdon, III (“Trogdon”) (collectively “the state
defendants”) and intervenor-defendants Defenders of Wildlife and National Wildlife Refuge
Association (collectively “the conservation groups”).
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
This action may be characterized as a sequel to Defenders of Wildlife v. North Carolina
Dep’t of Transp., 762 F.3d 374 (4th Cir. 2014), litigated at the trial level before the undersigned.
See Defenders of Wildlife v. North Carolina Dep’t. of Transp., 971 F. Supp. 2d 510 (E.D.N.C.
2013). In the prior action, the conservation groups sued the state defendants1 and defendants Federal
Highway Administration (“FHWA”) and John F. Sullivan, III (“Sullivan”) (collectively “the federal
defendants”). See id. The conservation groups challenged aspects of Phase I of a project (“Bonner
Bridge replacement project”) to replace the aging Herbert C. Bonner Bridge (“Bonner Bridge”),
which is a part of North Carolina Highway 12 (“NC 12”). See id. at 518–19. This court entered
summary judgment in favor of the state and federal defendants, see id. at 536, which decision the
Fourth Circuit affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings. See
Defenders of Wildlife, 762 F.3d at 403. That action came to a close when the state and federal
defendants entered into a settlement agreement with the conservation groups April 30, 2015 (“the
April 30, 2015 settlement agreement”). (See DE 28-1).
Plaintiffs initiated this action February 2, 2017, seeking review of decision by the state and
federal defendants to approve construction of a “jug-handle” bridge along the Pamlico Sound River,
north of Rodanthe, North Carolina, which action would consummate Phase IIb of the Bonner Bridge
replacement project. (DE 28 ¶ 1). Plaintiffs amended their complaint as of right March 7, 2017,
dropping a claim arising under North Carolina law protested by the state defendants and
1
At the time, Eugene A Conti, Jr. served as Secretary of NCDOT, and was, therefore, named as a defendant.
2
conservation groups in earlier-filed motions to dismiss.2 (DE 28). On the same day, plaintiffs
moved for preliminary injunction, (DE 29), which motion now is stayed pursuant to this court’s
order on joint motion for briefing schedule, (DE 43), as the parties have evidenced agreement that
no preliminary injunction is appropriate at this time where ground-disturbing activities are not
scheduled to commence until March 2018.
Plaintiff Save Our Sound OBX, Inc. (“Save Our Sound”) is a non-profit corporation existing
under the laws of North Carolina with its principal place of business in North Carolina. (DE 28
¶11). Save Our Sound’s mission is to “preserve the Pamlico Sound—including federally protected
waters lying within the presidential proclamation boundary of the Pea Island National Wildlife
Refuge—and its surrounding areas.” (Id.).
The individual plaintiffs are members of Save Our Sound. (Id. ¶¶ 11-17). Plaintiffs Thomas
Aschmoneit, David Hadley, Mark Haines, Jer Mehta, and Glenn Stevens own property near the
proposed construction site for the jug-handle bridge, and each individual plaintiff regularly uses the
public lands, wetlands, and waters in and around the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (“Pea
Island Refuge”). (Id. ¶¶ 12–17). The individual plaintiffs’ use and enjoyment of the Pea Island
Refuge will be diminished if the jug-handle bridge is constructed. (Id.). Moreover, the individual
plaintiffs will suffer diminished property values due to reduced kiteboarding tourism in Rodanthe,
North Carolina if the jug-handle bridge is built. (Id. ¶ 11).
2
The court invited movants to show cause, where “[i]t is well-settled that an amended pleading ordinarily
supercedes the original and renders it of no legal effect,” Young v. City of Mount Rainer, 238 F.3d 567 (4th Cir. 2001)
(citations omitted), why the court should not terminate as moot defendants’ motions to dismiss plaintiffs’ original
complaint. Movants separately responded in agreement the motions to dismiss should, in light of plaintiffs amended
complaint, be terminated. Where the state defendants’ motion lingers on the docket as pending, the clerk is directed to
terminate same.
3
Defendant FHWA is a federal administrative agency within the United States Department
of Transportation, and defendant Sullivan is administrator for the FHWA’s North Carolina Division
Office. (Id. ¶¶ 18–19). The FHWA is charged with administration of numerous statutes pertaining
to domestic road transportation, including statutes governing highway construction projects eligible
for federal funding from the National Highway Trust Fund, projects involving construction over
protected wildlife preserves, and environmental review of such projects pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4331, et seq. (“NEPA”), and Section 4(f) of the Department
of Transportation Act of 1966, 49 U.S.C. § 303(a); 23 U.S.C. § 138(a) (“Section 4(f)”). See 49
U.S.C. § 104 (duties of the FHWA).
Defendant NCDOT is a North Carolina administrative agency vested with authority over
highway construction within North Carolina, and defendant Trogdon is its Secretary. (DE 28 ¶¶
20–21). Under federal law, NCDOT constitutes the “state transportation department” bearing
responsibility to submit to the Secretary of Transportation any project requiring the Secretary’s
approval. 23 U.S.C. § 106(a)(1).
Plaintiffs allege that the state and federal defendants approved construction of the jug-handle
bridge without proper consideration of environmental consequences and feasible alternatives.
Plaintiffs allege in count one that the state and federal defendants have failed to generate and
consider a supplemental environmental impact statement as required by NEPA. (DE 28 ¶ 68–72).
In count two plaintiffs allege that defendants violated Section 4(f) where the operative reason for
state and federal defendants’ decision to approve the jug-handle bridge was pre-determined intent
to comply with terms of the April 30, 2015 settlement agreement, rather than proper regard of
substantive environmental considerations, as mandated by Section 4(f). In both counts, plaintiffs
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proceed under the judicial review provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), 5 U.S.C.
§ 701, et seq.
Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment that the state and federal defendants have violated
NEPA and Section 4(f) and that their decision to approve the jug-handle bridge project, set forth in
a “Record of Decision” issued December 15, 2016 (“2016 Phase IIb ROD”) is of no force and effect.
Plaintiffs also seek injunction directing compliance with the foregoing environmental laws and other
ancillary relief including litigation costs and attorney’s fees.
The state defendants move to dismiss as plaintiff Save Our Sound on the ground that it failed
to submit comments during the environmental review period as required under the Fixing America’s
Surface Transportation Act (the “FAST Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 4370m, et seq. The state defendants posit
a distinction between the individual plaintiffs in their capacities as members of Save Our Sound (the
“member individuals”) and the individual plaintiffs appearing in a non-associational capacity (the
“singular individuals”). The state defendants concede that the singular individuals timely submitted
comments as required by the FAST Act and, thus, are not subject to dismissal. The state defendants
contend, however, that the member individuals’ comments are untimely, and, for this reason, their
APA claims are barred.
The conservation groups move for partial dismissal on other grounds. First, the conservation
groups move to dismiss count one of the amended complaint to the extent plaintiffs assert a direct
challenge to the sufficiency of a Final Environmental Impact Statement issued in 2008 (“2008
FEIS”). The conservation groups argue that any challenge to the sufficiency of that document is
now time-barred. Second, the conservation groups move to dismiss count two of the amended
complaint on the ground that plaintiffs lack standing to assert claims arising under Section 4(f)
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where plaintiffs fail to allege injury to any interest protected by Section 4(f) and where plaintiffs
submitted comments during the environmental review period that failed to place the state and federal
defendants on notice of any challenge to the Bonner Bridge replacement project arising under
Section 4(f) as required by the FAST Act.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
The facts alleged in the amended complaint viewed in the light most favorable to plaintiffs
may be summarized as follows. Bonner Bridge connects Bodie and Hatteras Islands in the Outer
Banks. (DE 28 ¶ 39). The southern end of Bonner Bridge lies in Pea Island Refuge, which spans
from the northern tip of Hatteras Island to the village of Rodanthe. (See id.). Beginning in the early
1990s, defendants FHWA and NCDOT began to study replacement projects for the aging Bonner
Bridge, as well as improvements to sections of NC 12, which endeavors ultimately led to the Bonner
Bridge replacement project as it now stands. (Id. ¶¶ 42–62).
The state and federal defendants formed a “NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team” (the “Merger
Team”) consisting of representatives from FHWA, NCDOT, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine
Fisheries Service, the National Park Service, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources,
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (“NCDENR”) – Division of Water Quality, the NCDENR – Division of
Coastal Management, and the NCDENR – Division of Marine Fisheries to facilitate streamlined
decision-making affecting the Bonner Bridge replacement project. (Id. ¶ 41; DE 28-2). Pursuant
to a Memorandum of Understanding executed by the members of the Merger Team, once a member
indicates “concurrence” at a given point in the overall project, that member of the Merger Team
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must abide by the decision subject to concurrence absent circumstances warranting reevaluation.
(See DE 28-2 at 2–3).
In September 2008, the 2008 FEIS for the Bonner Bridge replacement project was issued.
(DE 28 ¶ 43). The 2008 FEIS included a Final Section 4(f) Evaluation, addressed seven alternatives,
and identified the “Parallel Bridge Corridor with Phased Approach/Rodanthe Bridge” as the
preferred alternative. (Id.). The 2008 FEIS considered at least one proposal that included a bridge
along Pamlico Sound near Rodanthe, but the bridge proposed therein was aligned differently than
the jug-handle bridge under review. (Id.). Also among the proposed alternatives were solutions
involving beach nourishment (importation of sand into an eroding shoreline) and beach nourishment
combined with a bridge within the existing NC 12 easement. (Id. ¶ 44). The 2008 FEIS’s analysis
pertaining to beach nourishment was conducted in light of shoreline erosion projections based on
modeling completed in 2004. (Id.). Although later models of shoreline erosion were eventually
developed, no supplement to 2008 FEIS incorporated these updated models. (Id. ¶ 60).
In October 2009, a Revised Final Section 4(f) evaluation was issued, which added and
selected a new alternative titled the “Parallel Bridge Corridor with NC-12 Transportation
Management Plan.” (Id. ¶ 45). This alternative introduced the phased approach to the Bonner
Bridge replacement project now in effect. (Id.). Under Phase I, the Bonner Bridge over Oregon
Inlet was to be replaced as soon as possible. (Id.). The substance of future phases was left to be
determined “based on actual conditions . . at the point in time that additional action becomes
necessary.” (Id.). Following a May 2010 Environmental Assessment (the “2010 Phase I EA”),
which included the Revised Section 4(f) Evaluation as an appendix, a Record of Decision was issued
in December 2010 (the “2010 Phase I ROD”) approving construction of a replacement bridge over
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Oregon Inlet in conformity with the alternative identified in the Revised Final Section 4(f)
Evaluation and the 2010 Phase I EA. (Id. ¶¶ 46–47).
In August 2011, Hurricane Irene damaged NC 12 in the Rodanthe S Curves (“S Curves”) and
within the Pea Island Refuge approximately six miles south of Oregon Inlet. (Id. ¶ 48). In February
2013, an environmental assessment was issued for Phase IIa of the Bonner Bridge replacement
project in furtherance of the state and federal defendants’ plan to provide long-term improvements
at the location of breaches in the Pea Island Refuge caused by the hurricane. A Record of Decision
was issued for Phase IIa in October 2013. (Id. ¶ 49).
In December 2013, an Environmental Assessment (the “2013 Phase IIb EA”) was issued,
which addresses plans to implement long-term improvements along the S Curves. (Id. ¶ 50). The
2013 Phase IIb EA identified four alternatives consisting of the jug-handle bridge, which was
ultimately selected, an “Easement Bridge,” which would have been situated within the existing NC
12 easement and closely approximate the current path of that highway, beach nourishment, and
beach nourishment combined with a bridge within the existing easement. (Id. ¶ 50). These four
alternatives are depicted as follows:
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(Id.). Although the 2013 Phase IIb EA identified as alternatives beach nourishment and beach
nourishment combined with a bridge within the existing NC 12 easement, it summarily rejected
these alternatives, stating that the Merger Team already had decided to eliminate them from
“detailed study.” (Id.). The 2013 Phase IIb EA selected the Easement Bridge (depicted in yellow
above) as the preferred alternative. (Id.).
While the foregoing environmental assessments were underway, the conservation groups and
defendants engaged in litigation before the undersigned, as described above, which ended as the
state and federal defendants entered into the April 30, 2015 settlement agreement. (See DE 28-1).
9
The settlement agreement required NCDOT to “identify Phase IIb Bridge on New Location as its
preferred alternative and seek Merger Team Concurrence Point 3[.]” (Id. at 4). This requirement
of the settlement agreement bound the state and federal defendants to seek concurrence from other
members of the Merger Team that the jug-handle bridge was the least environmentally damaging
practicable alternative (“LEDPA”) available to meet the needs of Phase IIb of the Bonner Bridge
replacement project. (DE 28 ¶ 53).
The settlement agreement further required that NCEDNR “provide a written statement of its
support and preference for the [jug-handle bridge]” and “otherwise . . . use best efforts to help
NCDOT attempt to secure Merger Team concurrence.” (DE 28-1 at 4–5). In the event that the
Merger Team indeed concurred with defendants’ support for the jug-handle bridge, the settlement
agreement required defendants to “promptly revise” the 2013 Phase IIb EA and Section 4(f)
Evaluation to identify the jug-handle bridge as the preferred alternative, and to “[p]ropose to identify
the Phase IIb [jug-handle bridge] Alternative as the ‘least overall harm’ alternative.” (Id. at 6). The
settlement agreement required the conservation groups to dismiss their suit challenging Phase I only
if the jug-handle bridge was identified as the LEDPA, and the conservation groups covenanted not
to file suit regarding Phase IIb only if the jug-handle bridge was identified as the LEDPA and chosen
as the selected alternative. (DE 28 ¶ 55).
On June 17, 2015, the Merger Team identified the jug-handle bridge as the LEDPA. (Id. ¶
56). Following dismissal of the conservation groups’ prior action, construction for the Bonner
Bridge replacement project commenced on March 8, 2016. (Id.). On May 24, 2016, the state and
federal defendants issued the 2016 Revised Phase IIb EA, in which the state and federal defendants
identified as the preferred alternative for Phase IIb the jug-handle bridge in issue here despite the
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fact that a similar bridge previously was rejected in the 2013 Phase IIb EA. (Id. ¶ 60). The 2016
Revised Phase IIb EA cites no new studies for diverging from previous decision to select the
easement bridge as set forth in the 2013 Phase IIb EA; however, the 2016 Revised Phase IIb EA
offers as partial explanation that it “takes into account” the settlement agreement between defendants
and the conservation groups. (Id.).
Plaintiffs submitted comments to the 2016 Revised Phase IIb EA raising objections to the
Merger Team’s selection of the jug-handle bridge as the Phase IIb alternative. (Id. ¶ 61). On
December 15, 2016, the Merger Team issued the 2016 Phase IIb ROD, which approved the jughandle bridge as the selected alternative and officially allowed NCDOT to proceed with
construction. (Id. ¶ 62). This action followed.
DISCUSSION
A.
Standard of Review
A Rule 12(b)(1) motion challenges the court’s subject matter jurisdiction, and the petitioner
bears the burden of showing that federal jurisdiction is appropriate when challenged by the
respondent. McNutt v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp., 298 U.S. 178, 189 (1936); Adams v. Bain,
697 F.2d 1213, 1219 (4th Cir. 1982). Such a motion may either 1) assert the complaint fails to state
facts upon which subject matter jurisdiction may be based, or 2) attack the existence of subject
matter jurisdiction in fact, apart from the complaint. Adams, 697 F.2d at 1219. Under the former
assertion, the moving party contends that the complaint “simply fails to allege facts upon which
subject matter jurisdiction can be based.” Id. In that case, “the [petitioner], in effect, is afforded the
same procedural motion as he would receive under a Rule 12(b)(6) consideration.” Id. “[A]ll facts
alleged in the complaint are assumed true, and the motion must be denied if the complaint alleges
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sufficient facts to invoke subject matter jurisdiction.” Kerns v. United States, 585 F.3d 187, 192 (4th
Cir. 2009). When the defendant challenges the factual predicate of subject matter jurisdiction, a
court “may then go beyond the allegations of the complaint and in an evidentiary hearing determine
if there are facts to support the jurisdictional allegations” without converting the matter to summary
judgment. Adams, 697 F.2d at 1219; Kerns, 585 F.3d at 192.
A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) tests the legal sufficiency
of the complaint but “does not resolve contests surrounding the facts, the merits of a claim, or the
applicability of defenses.” Republican Party v. Martin, 980 F.2d 943, 952 (4th Cir. 1992). A
complaint states a claim if it contains “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim
to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl.
Corp v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). “Asking for plausible grounds . . . does not impose
a probability requirement at the pleading stage; it simply calls for enough fact to raise a reasonable
expectation that discovery will reveal [the] evidence” required to prove the claim. Twombly, 550
U.S. at 556.
In evaluating the complaint, “[the] court accepts all well-plead facts as true and construes
these facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff,” but does not consider “legal conclusions,
elements of a cause of action, . . . bare assertions devoid of further factual enhancement[,] . . .
unwarranted inferences, unreasonable conclusions, or arguments.” Nemet Chevrolet Ltd. v.
Consumeraffairs.com, Inc., 591 F.3d 250, 255 (4th Cir. 2009).
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B.
Analysis
1.
Comments Under the FAST Act
The state defendants move pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) to dismiss plaintiff Save Our Sound and
the individual plaintiffs insofar as they appear as members of Save Our Sound on the ground that
the foregoing plaintiffs lack standing to challenge the 2016 Revised Final EA where they failed to
raise objections to the 2016 Revised Final EA during the comment period. While not objecting to
timeliness, the conservation groups move to dismiss plaintiffs claims pertaining to Section 4(f) for
lack of standing on the ground that plaintiffs’ comments did not give sufficient notice of plaintiffs’
intent to seek judicial review arising under Section 4(f).
“A person . . . adversely affected by agency action within the meaning of a relevant
statute[,]” 5 U.S.C. § 702, who otherwise has Article III standing may bring an action pursuant to
the judicial review provisions of the APA, id. § 701, et seq., to challenge “final agency action[.]”
Id. § 704. On review pursuant to the APA, “[t]he reviewing court shall . . . hold unlawful and set
aside any agency action, findings, and conclusions found to be . . . arbitrary, capricious, an abuse
of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). The scope of
“arbitrary and capricious” review is narrow, but the court must ensure that “the agency examine[s]
the relevant data and articulate[s] a satisfactory explanation for its action including a rational
connection between the facts found and the choice made.” Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass’n of U.S., Inc.
v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 43 (1983); see N.C. Wildlife Fed’n v. N.C. Dep’t
of Transp., 677 F.3d 596, 601 (4th Cir. 2012) (The court “must ensure that the agency has examined
the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for its action, and must not reduce itself
to a rubber-stamp of agency action.”) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted ); see also
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Shenandoah Valley Network v. Capka, 669 F.3d 194, 196 (4th Cir. 2012) (“Claims arising under
NEPA are subject to judicial review pursuant to the [APA].”); Hickory Neighborhood Def. League
v. Skinner, 893 F.2d 58, 61 (4th Cir. 1990) (applying APA standards when considering a claim
pursuant to Section 4(f)).
The FAST Act restricts the scope of the APA, limiting availability of judicial review of
certain projects affected by NEPA to only those individuals who submit comments during the
administrative decision-making process, as follows:
judicial review of any authorization issued by a Federal agency for a covered project
shall be barred unless– . . . (B) in the case of an action pertaining to an environmental
review conducted under NEPA–
(i) the action is filed by a party that submitted a comment during the
environmental review; and
(ii) any commenter filed a sufficiently detailed comment so as to put
the lead agency on notice of the issue on which the party seeks
judicial review . . .
42 U.S.C. 4370m-6(a) (emphasis added). The FAST Act defines a “covered project” to include “any
activity in the United States that requires authorization or environmental review by a federal agency
involving construction” of nine specific categories of infrastructure development including, in
relevant part, “surface transportation.” 42 U.S.C. § 4370m(6)(A). “The term ‘covered project’ does
not include . . . any project subject to section 139 of Title 23” (“Section 139”). Id. § 4370m(6)(B).
Section 139 establishes procedures to facilitate expeditious environmental review pursuant
to NEPA in transportation projects that require cooperation among multiple agencies. See 23 U.S.C.
§ 139(b)(3)(A) (directing the Secretary of Transportation to “allow for the use of programmatic
approaches to conduct environmental reviews that” generate efficiencies on multiple metrics).
Projects regulated under Section 139 include “any highway project . . . that, if implemented as
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proposed by the project sponsor, would require approval by any operating administration or
secretarial office within the Department of Transportation.” Id. §139(a)(6)(A). “The term ‘highway’
includes– (B) a . . . bridge . . .” 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(11). Among projects requiring approval of the
Secretary of Transportation are “project[s] . . . which require[] the use of any publicly owned land
from a public park, recreation area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge of national, State, or local
significance as determined by the Federal, State, or local official having jurisdiction thereof . . .” 23
U.S.C. § 138(a).
Plaintiffs allege that part of the jug-handle bridge is planned to extend through the Pea Island
Refuge. (DE 28 ¶ 40). Therefore, Phase IIb of the Bonner Bridge replacement project requires the
approval of the Secretary of Transportation. 23 U.S.C. § 138(a). Thus, where the Bonner Bridge
replacement project is a highway project requiring approval of a secretarial office of the Department
of Transportation, it is subject to Section 139. See id. Accordingly, the Bonner Bridge replacement
project is not a “covered project” under provisions of the FAST Act limiting availability of the
judicial review only to those individuals who submitted comments during the NEPA comment period.
See 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(b). For this reason, plaintiffs are not barred from this litigation where timely
submission of comments is not a prerequisite to judicial review in matters of this nature. See id.
Where the state defendants seek dismissal solely on the basis of plaintiffs’ failure to submit timely
comments, the state defendants’ motion is, thus, denied.
The conservation groups argue that even if plaintiffs’ comments were timely, plaintiffs remain
barred from participation in this litigation where comments submitted make no specific reference to
violations based upon Section 4(f). See 42 U.S.C. § 4370m-6(a)(ii). However, as set forth above,
NEPA establishes submission of comments during the review period as a prerequisite for judicial
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review only for “covered projects” as defined in the statute. Id. § 4370m-6(a). Therefore, where the
project in issue here is not a “covered project” for purposes of NEPA’s judicial review provisions,
plaintiffs’ failure to mention by name Section 4(f) in their comments does not preclude judicial
review, and the conservation groups’ motion to dismiss, to the extent it rests on this ground, is
denied. See id.
2.
Adequacy of Plaintiffs’ Section 4(f) Interest
The conservation groups move to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims arising under Section 4(f) on the
ground that plaintiffs have failed to plead an injury that falls within the zone of interests protected
by Section 4(f). “The Administrative Procedure Act grants standing to a person ‘aggrieved by agency
action within the meaning of a relevant statute.’” Ass’n. of Data Processing Service Orgs., Inc. v.
Camp, 397 U.S. 150, 153 (1970) (citing 5 U.S.C. § 702). Standing extends only to plaintiffs whose
injuries ‘fall within the zone of interests protected by the law invoked.” Lexmark Intern., Inc. v.
Static Control Components, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 1337, 1388 (2014). This test is not “especially
demanding[,]” where the Court often has “conspicuously included the word ‘arguably’ in the test to
indicate that the benefit of any doubt goes to the plaintiff[.]” Id. at 1389. The test forecloses suit
only when a plaintiff’s ‘interests are so marginally related to or inconsistent with the purposes
implicit in the statute that it cannot reasonably be assumed that’ Congress authorized that plaintiff
to sue.” Id. “Interests” for purposes of standing may include economic interests, as well as
“aesthetic, conservational, and recreational” interests. Sierra Club v. Morton, 405 U.S. 727, 738
(1972).
The purpose of Section 4(f) is to “preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public
park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, or historic sites,” unless an agency
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demonstrates that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of a Section 4(f) site and that
the agency has done all possible planning to minimize harm to the site. 49 U.S.C. §§ 303(a)–(c). The
court evaluates plaintiffs’ standing through the lens of these protected interests.
Each individual plaintiff alleges that he or she “makes regular use and enjoyment of[] the
public lands, wetlands, and waters in and around the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge,” and that
the jug-handle bridge, if constructed, will “diminish” his or her “use and enjoyment of” areas
“including the [Pea Island] Refuge.” Likewise, plaintiff Save Our Sound, alleges that its members
“make regular use and enjoyment of[] the public lands, wetlands, and waters in and around the Pea
Island National Wildlife Refuge” and that the jug-handle bridge “will decrease members’ . . . use and
enjoyment of their property and surrounding areas, including the [Pea Island] Refuge.” (DE 28 ¶ 11).
Where the foregoing allegations indicate that the individual plaintiffs’ enjoyment of the Pea
Island Refuge may be diminished if the jug-handle bridge is constructed through the Pea Island
Refuge, said allegations state aesthetic, conservational, and recreational interests in “preserv[ation]
of the natural beauty of . . . [the Pea Island] wildlife and waterfowl refuge” as protected by Section
4(f). Therefore, the complaint alleges facts sufficient to support the individual plaintiffs’ standing
to assert the claims in issue here where the individual plaintiffs assert injuries based upon actions
affecting property protected by Section 4(f). See Lexmark, 134 S.Ct. at 1388.
An organization has standing to seek redress for the injuries of its members if three elements
are satisfied. Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Comm’n., 432 U.S. 333, 343 (1977);
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 751 v. Brown Grp, Inc., 517 U.S. 544, 555
(1996). First, an organization’s membership must “include at least one member with standing to
present, in his or her own right, the claim (or type of claim) pleaded by the [organization.]” Local
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751, 417 U.S. at 555; see Sierra Club, 405 U.S. at 735 (1972) (plaintiff lacked standing where it
failed to allege that “it or its members would be affected in any of their activities or pastimes by the
[challenged] development.”). Second, an organization must “be organized for a purpose germane to
the subject of its member’s claim . . . ” Local 751, 417 U.S. at 555. Third, an organization may
assert only those claims and seek such relief as does not “require[] the participation of individual
members in the lawsuit.” Hunt, 432 US. at 343.
As set forth above, the individual plaintiffs, each of whom is a member of Save Our Sound,
have standing to assert the claims at issue here; therefore, Save Our Sound’s membership includes
at least one individual “with standing to present, in his or her own right, the claim[s] pleaded by”
Save Our Sound. See Local 752, 417 U.S. at 555. Next, Save Our Sound alleges that its “mission
is to preserve the Pamlico Sound—including federally protected waters lying within the presidential
proclamation boundary of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge—and its surrounding areas.”
Where construction of the jug-handle bridge as described in the complaint implicates Save Our
Sound’s alleged mission to preserve the Pamlico Sound and its surrounding areas, and where the Pea
Island Refuge lies within the area surrounding the Pamilico Sound, Save Our Sound has asserted
claims of injury germane to its purpose and protected by Section 4(f). See id. Finally, the complaint
suggests no basis to conclude that claims asserted by Save Our Sound “require[] the particpation of
individual members in the lawsuit.” See Hunt, 432 U.S. at 343. Therefore, where all three elements
of organizational standing are satisfied, and where Save Our Sound asserts claims of injury based
upon property affected by Section 4(f), facts alleged in the complaint support conclusion that Save
Our Sound has standing to proceed in this action. See id; Lexmark, 134 S.Ct. at 1388.
18
The conservation groups advance several arguments in support of their contention that
plaintiffs’ claims lie outside the zone of interests protected by Section 4(f). First, the conservation
groups argue that plaintiffs’ claims of diminished use and enjoyment of areas including the Pea Island
Refuge are conclusory and, therefore, are entitled to no presumption of veracity under the standard
of review applicable to motions for dismissal pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6). However, this argument fails
because, although plaintiffs’ allegations of diminished enjoyment of the Pea Island Refuge are set
forth in no great detail, the allegations are neither mere “legal conclusions, elements of a cause of
action [nor], . . . bare assertions devoid of further factual enhancement.” See Nemet Chevrolet, 591
F.3d at 255. Rather, read in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, the complaint includes allegations
that plaintiffs use and enjoy the Pea Island Refuge in its current from for aesthetic, conservational
or recreational reasons, and that the value of the Pea Island Refuge as judged by these metrics will
be materially diminished if the jug-handle bridge is constructed through the Pea Island Refuge lands.
(See DE 28 ¶¶ 11–17).
Second, the conservation groups contend that plaintiffs’ have failed to allege that the jughandle bridge would harm the Pea Island Refuge. In particular, the conservation groups argue that,
under the existing Phase IIb plan, a net 16.48 acres will be returned to the Pea Island Refuge where
parts of the NC 12 highway easement will be returned to the Refuge. This argument fails because
the relevant standing inquiry is whether the complaint alleges a cognizable injury sustained by
plaintiffs. That is, plaintiffs are not required to plead injury to the legal interests of the Pea Island
Refuge in order to establish their own standing. See Valley Forge Christian College v. Americans
United for Separation of Church and State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464, 491 (1982) (discussing the nature of
an Article III injury in fact, “[a]t the core is the irreducible minimum that persons seeking judicial
19
relief from an Art. III court have ‘such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to assure
that concrete adverseness which sharpens the presentation of issues upon which the court so largely
depends. . . .”) (emphasis added) (citing Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186, 204 (1962)).
Third, the conservation groups contend that plaintiffs have alleged injury only to the waters
surrounding the Pea Island Refuge, which waters, the conservation groups assert, are not part of the
Pea Island Refuge itself. However, this argument fails where, as set forth above, plaintiffs have
alleged injuries based upon plaintiffs’ use of lands within the Pea Island Refuge. (See DE 28 ¶ 11
(“Save Our Sound and its members will be irreparably harmed by construction of the proposed [j]ug[h]andle [b]ridge, which will decrease members’ property values and diminish members’ use and
enjoyment of their property and surrounding areas, including the [Pea Island] Refuge.”) (emphasis
added)).
Finally, the conservation groups assert that plaintiff Save Our Sound lacks standing where
it has failed to establish that “the interests it seeks to protect are germane to [its] purpose.” See Am.
Canoe Ass’n v. Murphy Farms, Inc., 326 F.3d 505, 517 (4th Cir. 2003); Local 751, 417 U.S. at 555.
In particular, the conservation groups contend that where Save Our Sound’s articles of incorporation
do not mention the Pea Island Refuge as a subject of its advocacy, plaintiffs have failed to
demonstrate that the instant action is germane to Save Our Sound’s mission. However, this argument
fails where, as set forth above, plaintiff Save Our Sound’s mission to preserve the Pamlico Sound
waters and surrounding areas indeed embraces advocacy pertaining to projects that may cause harm
to its members based upon actions affecting the Pea Island Refuge. Although Save Our Sound’s
articles of incorporation emphasize the Pamlico Sound waters as its main focus of concern, that fact
does nothing to undermine Save Our Sound’s allegations, which here must be accepted as true, that
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its mission extends to seeking preservation of the areas surrounding the Pamlico Sound, including
the Pea Island Refuge. (See DE 28 ¶ 11); Nemet Chevrolet, 591 F.3d at 255.
For the foregoing reasons, to the extent the conservation groups’ motion to dismiss rests upon
assertion that plaintiffs’ claims lie outside the zone of interests protected by Section 4(f) and upon
argument that claims asserted in the complaint are not germane to plaintiff Save Our Sound’s
mission, the motion is denied.
3.
Reviewability of NEPA Documents
The conservation groups move for partial dismissal to the extent plaintiffs challenge
documents generated pursuant to NEPA review which are no longer reviewable due to time limits.
As set forth above, “[a] person . . . adversely affected by agency action within the meaning of a
relevant statute[,]” 5 U.S.C. § 702, who otherwise has Article III standing may bring an action
pursuant to the judicial review provisions of the APA, id. § 701, et seq., to challenge “final agency
action[.]” Id. § 704. An agency action is “final” if two conditions are satisfied. Bennett v. Spear,
520 U.S. 154, 177 (1997). “First, the action must mark the ‘consummation’ of the agnecy’s
decisionmaking process . . . [a]nd second, the action must be one by which ‘rights or obligations have
been determined,’ or from which ‘legal consequences will flow[.]” Id. at 177–78.
NEPA institutes a set of procedural requirements that facilitate information-gathering
pertaining to environmental consequences of government action. See 42 U.S.C. § 4332. Of
relevance here, NEPA requires that “all agencies of the Federal Government shall . . . include in
every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation and other major Federal actions
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment” a detailed environmental impact
statement (“EIS”) assessing in detail:
21
(i)
the environmental impact of the proposed action,
(ii)
any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the
proposal be implemented,
(iii)
alternatives to the proposed action,
(iv)
the relationship between local short-term uses of man’s environment and the
maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and
(v)
any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be
involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
Id. § 4332(C). An EIS developed pursuant to NEPA must be made available to the President,
appropriate government agencies, the public, and must “accompany the proposal through the
existing agency review processes.” Id.
The requirements of NEPA are “essentially procedural.” Strycker’s Bay Neighborhood
Council, Inc. v. Karlen, 444 U.S. 223, 227 (1980). “NEPA was designed to insure a fully informed
and well-considered decision, but not necessarily a decision [the judiciary] would have reached . .
.” Id. Accordingly, although it mandates no particular outcomes of the administrative process,
NEPA requires that “agencies take a hard look at environmental consequences” where such
consequences are illuminated by the required EIS. Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens Council.,
490 U.S. 332, 350 (1989).
When new information arises after preparation of an EIS, agencies may be required to
produce a supplemental EIS to incorporate that information. See Marsh v. Oregon Nat. Res.
Council, 490 U.S. 360, 371 (1989) (“It would be incongruous with [NEPA’s] approach to
environmental protection, and with [NEPA’s] manifest concern with preventing uninformed action,
for the blinders to adverse environmental effects, once unequivocally removed, to be restored prior
to the completion of agency action simply because the relevant proposal has received initial
22
approval.”). In particular, agencies must “prepare supplements to either draft or final EIS’s if there
are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing
on the proposed action or its impacts.” Id. at 372 (citing 40 C.F.R. 1502.9(c)).
FHWA regulations provide additional guidelines for NEPA compliance in actions under
FHWA jurisdiction. 23 C.F.R. § 771.109(a)(1). The regulations provide “[a] draft EIS, final EIS,
or supplemental EIS may be supplemented at any time. An EIS shall be supplemented whenever
the [FHWA] determines that: . . . (2) [n]ew information or circumstances relevant to environmental
concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts would result in significant environmental
impacts not evaluated in the EIS.” Id. § 771.130(a). To determine whether a supplemental EIS is
necessary “[a]n [Environmental Assessment] shall be prepared by the applicant in consultation with
the [FHWA] for each action that . . . does not clearly require the preparation of an EIS, or where the
[FHWA] believes an EA would assist in determining the need for an EIS.” Id. § 771.119(a).
The complaint alleges that the 2016 Phase IIb ROD constitutes the document in which the
state and federal defendants rendered their final decision to select the jug-handle bridge as the
preferred alternative for Phase IIb of the Bonner Bridge replacement project. (DE 28 ¶ 62).
Accordingly, where the complaint alleges that issuance of the 2016 Phase IIb ROD “mark[s] the
consummation of the [state and federal defendants’] decisionmaking project[,]” Bennett, 520 U.S.
at 177–78, and where it is readily apparent from the complaint that legal consequences flow from
that decision, namely, authoritative permission to construct the jug-handle bridge, see id., issuance
of the 2016 Revised Phase IIb EA constitutes “final agency action” subject to judicial review under
the APA. See id. Therefore, where, as set forth above, plaintiffs have otherwise demonstrated
standing, plaintiffs are entitled to seek review under the APA of the state and federal defendants’
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decision to approve the jug-handle bridge. See 5 U.S.C. § 701, et seq. The scope of such review
may embrace any facts upon which the decisionmaking agencies relied in reaching their decision
to approve the jug-handle bridge, including examination of the 2008 FEIS and any other documents
relied upon to justify conclusions set forth in the 2016 Revised Phase IIb ROD. See Motor Vehicle
Mfr’s., 463 U.S. at 43 (“the agency must examine the relevant data . . .”).
The conservation groups move for partial dismissal on the ground that plaintiffs are timebarred from asserting a direct challenge to the 2008 FEIS. See 23 .S.C. § 193(l)(1). This argument
fails because although the complaint suggests that supplementation to the 2008 FEIS may prove
necessary if this court determines that the state and federal defendants’ decisions not to supplement
to the 2008 FEIS and to approve the jug-handle bridge were unjustified in light of APA principles,
the complaint includes no direct challenge to the 2008 FEIS itself. Rather, the complaint challenges
the state and federal defendants’ final decision to approve the jug-handle bridge as set forth in the
2016 Phase IIb ROD. (See DE 28 at 25 ¶ B (prayer for relief requesting declaration that the 2016
Phase IIb ROD is unlawful and of no effect)). Therefore, to the extent the conservation groups’
motion seeks to block a direct challenge to the 2008 EIS, the motion is denied.
In sum, the state defendants’ partial motion to dismiss based upon claimed untimeliness of
plaintiffs’ comments is denied where submission of comments is no prerequisite to judicial review
in actions of this nature. The conservation groups’ partial motion to dismiss is denied for the same
reason and, in addition, because plaintiffs adequately have alleged injury falling within the zone of
interests protected by Section 4(f) and because the scope of plaintiffs’ challenge is properly limited
to reviewable documents.
For the reasons set forth herein, the court denied defendants’ motions.
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This the 5th day of September, 2017.
_____________________________
LOUISE W. FLANAGAN
United States District Judge
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