Court sides with timber industry in runoff dispute

(AP) The Supreme Court has sided with timber interests in a dispute over the regulation of runoff from logging roads in western forests.

In a 7-1 vote, the court on Wednesday reversed a federal appeals court ruling which held that muddy water running off roads used in industrial logging is the same as any other industrial pollution, requiring a Clean Water Act permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA itself disagreed with that court ruling and Justice Anthony Kennedy said for the court that the agency's reading of its own regulations is entitled to deference from the court.