Maui Moves to Nix Supreme Court Water Case, But Questions Linger

Local officials in Hawaii have decided to withdraw a major environmental case from the Supreme Court’s docket.

The Maui County Council voted 5-4 on Sept. 20 to settle County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, a case with big implications for the scope of the Clean Water Act.

The panel directed county officials to retreat from the Supreme Court case, which is scheduled for Nov. 6 oral arguments, and follow a settlement agreement reached during an earlier stage of litigation.

However, council members were divided on whether the body has authority to require the legal settlement, or if that ...