Facts

Maria Garcia and other parents of Latino schoolchildren in public schools filed an administrative complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation violated the Civil Rights Act. They claimed that the Department of Pesticide Regulation exposed the schoolchildren to toxic pesticides in a harmful and discriminatory manner.

While the EPA accepted the complaint, they did not issue a finding within 180 days, as required. Twelve years later the EPA issuee its preliminary finding, and concluded that the Department of Pesticide Regulation did cause an excessive exposure to the schoolchildren. The EPA and the Department of Pesticide Regulation later settled, and entered into a compliance agreement.

However, Garcia and other parents found that the settlement did not do enough, and filed suit against the EPA.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs asserted causes of action for arbitrary and capricious agency action, or denial of procedural due process, and injunctive relief. They sought a declaration that the EPA had acted arbitrarily and capriciously when settling its case with the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and requested that the court vacate and dismiss the settlement agreement.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The EPA moved to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim.

Result

The court found it lacked jurisdiction over the case, and dismissed it.