The following excerpt is from AKIAK NATIVE Cmty. v. UNITED States Envtl. Prot. AGENCY, 625 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. 2010):
substantially prevailing party whenever it determines that such award is appropriate. 33 U.S.C. 1369(b)(3). We have interpreted section 509 to require the Christiansburg dual standard, however. See Saint John's Organic Farm v. Gem County Mosquito Abatement Dist., 574 F.3d 1054, 1063-64, n. 1 (9th Cir.2009). Thus an unsuccessful challenge under section 509 brought in federal court will ordinarily not result in a fee award against the plaintiff who brought the challenge.
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.