ELR Citation: 54 ELR 20154
No(s). CV 23-10-M-DLC (D. Mont. Nov 7, 2024) (Christensen, J.)

A district court granted summary judgment for environmental groups in a challenge to Wildlife Services' reauthorization of a predator damage and conflict management program in Montana under which grizzly bears may be killed. The groups argued the Services violated NEPA by failing to include critical information about grizzly bears in the EA and failing to prepare an EIS. The court found the EA failed to take a "hard look" at the effects of the program on grizzlies, and that an EIS was required because it was reasonable to anticipate that the Services' actions might have a cumulatively significant impact on the environment. It remanded without vacatur to Wildlife Services to prepare an EIS.