Editors' Summary: A central issue in the evaluation of federal and state environmental regulatory mechanisms is the degree of discretion which should be vested in the regulatory authorities to set and enforce environmental standards. The Standing Committee on Environmental Law of the American Bar Association has chosen as its theme for the current year "Enforceability of Laws Designed to Protect the Environment." This Article is designed to stimulate further consideration of the issue of administrative discretion in environmental regulation by presenting one perspective on that issue as it arises under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.