ELR Citation: 54 ELR 20013
No(s). 2:22-CV-00293-SAB (E.D. Wash. Jan 17, 2024) (Bastian, J.)

A district court denied an environmental group's motion for summary judgment in a challenge to the Forest Service's approval of a restoration project in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The group argued the Service violated NEPA and its implementing regulations in designing, analyzing, and implementing the project, and sought to have the EA and FONSI vacated. The court found the Service took the "hard look" required by NEPA by providing a reasonably thorough discussion of significant aspects of the probable environmental consequences. It denied summary judgment for the group, and granted the Service's cross-motion.