ELR Citation: 55 ELR 20051
No(s). 6:22-cv-01344-MTK (D. Or. Apr 24, 2025) (Kasubhai, J.)

A district court granted environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to BLM's approval of a commercial logging project on federal land in Oregon. The groups argued BLM violated NEPA by failing to take a "hard look" at the environmental impacts and failing to prepare an EIS. The court found BLM failed to take a hard look at how the project would comply with the resource management plan's direction regarding soil impacts, failed to adequately consider impacts of noxious weeds and invasive species, failed to evaluate site-specific impacts on special species status, and failed to consider cumulative impacts. It further found substantial questions exist over whether the project might have significant impacts, and that an EIS must be prepared. The court granted summary judgment for the groups, vacated the project's EA, record of decision, and FONSI, and remanded to BLM.