ELR Citation: ELR 20071
No(s). C-72-1455 (N.D. Cal. Aug 29, 1972)

A preliminary injunction is granted (subsequently dissolved, infra) preventing defendant from allowing any development of de facto wilderness areas pending preparation of impact statements under NEPA. The court holds that development of a de facto area is a major federal action.

The preliminary injunction is dissolved and the action dismissed (Dec. 11, 1972) because the Forest Service now requires impact statements for future development contracts, and because the holders of existing contracts, who are not before this court, should be sued in the courts where the de facto areas are located. See ELR Dig. [251], for list of documents available, and for summaries of arguments.

Counsel for Plaintiff
Bruce J. Terris
Helen C. Needham
1908 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Barry Fisher
James W. Moorman
Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
311 California Street, Suite 311
San Francisco, CA 94104

Counsel for Defendant
Arthur D. Smith
Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20530

Counsel for Intervenors
Noble McCartney
Suite 1100
1660 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036