511 U.S. 700 (1994)
The case of Public Utility District No. 1 of Jefferson County v.
Does a state's imposition of conditions on a federally licensed project under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act unconstitutionally clash with federal authority, thus invoking federal preemption?
Under the Clean Water Act, states have the authority to enforce water quality standards for federal projects requiring a Section 401 certification, provided that the conditions imposed are reasonable and related to water quality.
The Supreme Court held that the Washington Department of Ecology's conditions were valid under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and not preempted by federal law.
This case is significant as it underscores the state's crucial role in regulating environmental standards, even in the context of federally licensed projects. It clarifies that states, through the Clean Water Act, retain the power to enforce water quality standards and impose necessary conditions. For law students, the case provides a foundational understanding of federalism principles and the interplay between federal regulatory authority and state power in environmental law.