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Addressing the “Green Resource Curse” in Sub-Saharan Africa

The global transition to a carbon-neutral economy will bring about a surging demand for land and for minerals required in renewable energy technologies. It brings the threat of conflict between those seeking to develop these resources and those who live on the lands and risk displacement, loss of livelihood, and environmental contamination. These risks are particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa, though many Sub-Saharan countries have adopted legislation to prevent and peacefully resolve disputes.

350 Montana v. Haaland

A district court vacated on remand OSM's approval of an underground coal mine expansion in central Montana. Environmental groups initially challenged OSM's 2018 EA for the proposed expansion. The Ninth Circuit held that OSM violated NEPA by failing to provide convincing reasons for its determination...

No Mid-Currituck Bridge-Concerned Citizens and Visitors Opposed to the Mid-Currituck Bridge v. North Carolina Department of Transportation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and FHwA in a challenge to their approval of a toll bridge across North Carolina's Currituck Sound that would connect the northern Outer Banks with the mainland. Environmental and community group...

Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment v. Haaland

The Tenth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that affirmed BLM's environmental impact analysis for 370 applications for permits to drill (APDs) for oil and gas in New Mexico's San Juan Basin. Environmental groups argued that BLM's 81 EAs and EA addendum violated NEPA because the Bureau imprope...

88 FR 6358

The Federal Highway Administration received, reviewed, and issued a determination of complete, for a renewal package from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities requesting renewed participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program, which allows the Administration to assign, and states to assume, responsibilities under NEPA, and all or part of the Administration’s responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under any federal environmental law with respect to one or more federal highway projects within the state.

Center for Biological Diversity v. United States Bureau of Land Management

A district court granted in part and denied in part cross-motions for summary judgment in a challenge to BLM's approval of a new open-pit phosphate mine in southeast Idaho. Environmental groups argued the approval violated NEPA, FLPMA, and the CWA. The court found BLM failed to adequately consider t...

National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People Erie Unit 2262 v. Federal Highway Administration

A district court denied a civil rights group's motion for summary judgment in a challenge to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHwA's) approval of a categorical exclusion for a highway improvement project in Pennsylvania. The group argued the approval violated NEPA. The court found the group fai...

Wild Virginia v. Council on Environmental Quality

The Fourth Circuit affirmed dismissal of a challenge to CEQ's 2020 final rule that affected how federal agencies conduct reviews under NEPA. Environmental groups filed suit shortly after the rule was promulgated and several weeks before it took effect, bringing nine APA claims and one allegation tha...

88 FR 1196

CEQ issued interim guidance to assist agencies in analyzing greenhouse gas and climate change effects of their proposed actions under NEPA.

87 FR 77547

The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it intends to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices, and notified the public of the opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice standards in the handbook.