§ 9659. Citizens suits
(a)
Authority to bring civil actions
Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section and in section
9613
(h) of this title (relating to timing of judicial review), any person may commence a civil action on his own behalf—
(1)
against any person (including the United States and any other governmental instrumentality or agency, to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution) who is alleged to be in violation of any standard, regulation, condition, requirement, or order which has become effective pursuant to this chapter (including any provision of an agreement under section
9620 of this title, relating to Federal facilities); or
(2)
against the President or any other officer of the United States (including the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the ATSDR) where there is alleged a failure of the President or of such other officer to perform any act or duty under this chapter, including an act or duty under section
9620 of this title (relating to Federal facilities), which is not discretionary with the President or such other officer.
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any act or duty under the provisions of section
9660 of this title (relating to research, development, and demonstration).
(b)
Venue
(c)
Relief
The district court shall have jurisdiction in actions brought under subsection (a)(1) of this section to enforce the standard, regulation, condition, requirement, or order concerned (including any provision of an agreement under section
9620 of this title), to order such action as may be necessary to correct the violation, and to impose any civil penalty provided for the violation. The district court shall have jurisdiction in actions brought under subsection (a)(2) of this section to order the President or other officer to perform the act or duty concerned.
(d)
Rules applicable to subsection (a)(1) actions
(1)
Notice
No action may be commenced under subsection (a)(1) of this section before 60 days after the plaintiff has given notice of the violation to each of the following:
(C)
Any alleged violator of the standard, regulation, condition, requirement, or order concerned (including any provision of an agreement under section
9620 of this title).
Notice under this paragraph shall be given in such manner as the President shall prescribe by regulation.
(2)
Diligent prosecution
No action may be commenced under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this section if the President has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action under this chapter, or under the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.] to require compliance with the standard, regulation, condition, requirement, or order concerned (including any provision of an agreement under section
9620 of this title).
(e)
Rules applicable to subsection (a)(2) actions
No action may be commenced under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section before the 60th day following the date on which the plaintiff gives notice to the Administrator or other department, agency, or instrumentality that the plaintiff will commence such action. Notice under this subsection shall be given in such manner as the President shall prescribe by regulation.
(f)
Costs
The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this section, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to the prevailing or the substantially prevailing party whenever the court determines such an award is appropriate. The court may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought, require the filing of a bond or equivalent security in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(g)
Intervention
In any action under this section, the United States or the State, or both, if not a party may intervene as a matter of right. For other provisions regarding intervention, see section
9613 of this title.
(i)
Definitions
The terms used in this section shall have the same meanings as when used in subchapter I of this chapter.