ELR Citation: ELR 20101
No(s). s. Consol. Nos. 70-733 (N.D. Ala.), 3124-N (M.D. Ala.) & 6290-70-T (S.D. Ala.) (D. Ala. Feb 8, 1970)

Actions under the Refuse Act by conservation group for injunctive and mandatory relief and for a portion of any fine levied dismissed in joint opinion of the three federal judicial districts of Alabama. Plaintiff cannot maintain this action against corporate defendants for a portion of the fine, because (1) the reward provision of 33 U.S.C. §411 does not grant or imply a right of private enforcement; (2) criminal statutes cannot be enforced by civil actions; (3) in exercising their discretion whether or not to prosecute, U.S. Attorneys are immune from control or interference through mandamus or otherwise by private citizens or by courts; and (4) qui tam actions lie only to force the collection of civil penalties and forfeitures, not criminal fines. Likewise, injunctive relief against the corporate defendants is unavailable because an injunction is no less an enforcement of the act than a criminal sanction. These reasons are equally applicable to the injunctive relief—actually relief in the nature of mandamus—sought against governmental defendants. Moreover, federal implementation of a coordinated Refuse Act permit program, such as plaintiffs sought to compel, is discretionary, not ministerial, with the Secretary of the Army.

Counsel for Plaintiff
Joseph J. Levin, Jr.
Levin & Dees
P.O. Box 2087
Washington Bldg.
Montgomery, AL 36103
(205) 262-4807

Counsel for Corporate Defendants
Robert G. Tate
Thomas, Taliaferro, Forman, Burr & Murray
1600 Bank Savings Bldg.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 323-7711

Hill, Hill, Stovall, Carter & Franco
P.O. Box 116
Hill Bldg; 2nd Floor
Montgomery, AL 36109
(205) 262-1942

Volz, Capouano, Wampold & Prestwood
P.O. Box 1910
350 Adams Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36109
(205) 264-6401

John H. Morrow
Macbeth Wagnon, Jr.
Douglas Arant
Bradley, Arant, Rose & White
1500 Brown Marx Bldg.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 323-1551

John D. McQueen
McQueen, Ray & Allison
P.O. Box 65
First National Bank Bldg.
Tuscaloose, AL 35401
(205) 345-5564

L. Murray Alley
Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner & Clark
902 First National Bldg.
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 323-6181

Vincent McAlister
Almon & McAlister
Nathan Bldg.
Sheffield, AL 35661
(205) 383-6357

Counsel for Amici Curiae
S.P. Gaillard, Jr.
Gaillard, Wilkins, Smith & Cox
Hannah Houses
157 N. Conception St.
Mobile, AL 36601
(205) 432-1832

Robert B. Owen
Covington & Burling
888 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-3300

Norman H. Heisman
Scott Paper Comp.
Philadelphia, PA 19113
(215) 724-2000

Counsel for Federal Defendants
Charles S. White-Spunner U.S. Attorney
Southern District of Alabama
311 Federal Bldg.
Mobile, AL 36602
(205) 433-3581

Wayman G. Sherrer U.S. Attorney
Northern District of Alabama
5th Ave. & 19th St.
Birmingham, AL 35202
(205) 325-3721

Ira DeMent U.S. Attorney
Middle District of Alabama
302 P.O. & Courthouse Bldg.
Montgomery, AL 36101
(205) 262-5214

Before Johnson, Thomas and Lynne, District Judges.