The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the Forest Service in a challenge to the Service’s determination that a mining company held a valid existing right to operate a uranium mine in the Kaibab National Forest. Environmental groups argued that sunk costs should have been considered when e...
A district court denied advocacy groups' motion to preliminarily enjoin BLM's gather of wild horses in eastern Nevada. The groups argued BLM violated the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act by not developing a herd management area plan, which resulted in an inhumane gather process; violated NEPA...
A district court vacated and remanded BOEM's approval of an oil and gas lease sale covering 80.8 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental groups argued that BOEM violated NEPA by failing to include foreign greenhouse gas emissions in its emissions calculation for the "no action" alternativ...
The Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded the Forest Service's and BLM's renewed records of decision (RODs) for an interstate natural gas pipeline to cross through Jefferson National Forest. The groups argued the agencies violated NEPA, the National Forest Management Act (NMFA), and the Mineral Leasin...
An Illinois appellate court set aside the Illinois Commerce Commission's decision to allow the Dakota Access oil pipeline to double its capacity by adding more pumping stations. Environmental groups argued the Commission, in its assessment of the public need for the stations, misinterpreted a prior ...
A district court granted environmental groups' motion to preliminarily enjoin wildfire logging projects in the Willamette National Forest. The groups argued the Forest Service violated NEPA by failing to perform supplemental analysis for the previously approved projects to account for the effects of...
A district court denied Oklahoma's motion for preliminary injunction in a lawsuit concerning OSM's decision to strip the state of its regulatory authority over surface mining on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's reservation. Oklahoma sought to enjoin OSM from enforcing its decision, arguing that the sta...
A district court granted summary judgment for the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) in a challenge to FHwA's decision to allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to construct a toll bridge across Currituck Sound near the Outer Banks. Environmental groups argued the decision relied o...
A district court granted in part summary judgment for environmental groups in a challenge to FWS' and the Forest Service's decisions regarding a logging and prescribed burning project in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The groups argued the Services violated the ESA by failing to reiniti...
The Ninth Circuit, 2-1, denied a petition for review challenging FAA's decision that found no significant environmental impact stemming from construction and operation of an air cargo facility at the San Bernardino International Airport. The state of California, environmental groups, a union, and in...