ELR Citation: 55 ELR 20160
No(s). 2:21CV00003 (W.D. Va. Dec 3, 2025) (Jones, J.)

A district court dismissed for lack of standing a challenge to a 2020 Forest Service rule that expanded the Service's NEPA categorical exclusions (CEs) for logging, road construction, and other special uses. Conservation groups argued the rule was arbitrary and capricious. The Service argued the groups' challenge was not ripe and that they lacked standing. The court found the groups lacked standing because they failed to tie any of the CEs at issue to any site-specific application that would affect their interests. It denied summary judgment for the groups, granted the Service's cross-motion, and dismissed the suit.