ELR Citation: 53 ELR 20155
No(s). CV-21-00020-TUC-SHR (D. Ariz. Sep 29, 2023) (Rash, J.)

A district court denied environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to the Forest Service's approval of a grazing project in the Apache-Sitgreaves and Gila National Forests. The groups argued the Service violated NEPA by failing to take a "hard look" at impacts on Mexican gray wolves, failing to prepare an EIS, and failing to consider a reasonable range of alternatives. The court found the record supported the conclusion that negative impacts on Mexican wolves were minimal if the grazing alternative was selected, that the groups failed to show there were substantial questions as to whether the project might have a significant enough impact to warrant preparation of an EIS, and that the Service's consideration of just two alternatives—a no-grazing alternative and the grazing alternative—was reasonable. It denied summary judgment for the groups, and granted the Forest Service's cross-motion.