News & Updates

Suit Seeks Public Review of Animal Pelt Exports (News Release 5/4/16)

May 3, 2016

Endangered Species Treaty Misused to Facilitate Mass Fur ExportLocation:MissoulaToday, conservation groups filed suit to require open, public review of the impacts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service’s) export program that facilitates international trade...

BLM puts brakes on Whitewater drilling project (Press Release 5/3/16)

May 2, 2016

Agency refuses to green-light project in absence of hydraulic fracturing analysisLocation:Grand Junction, Colo.In a victory for residents of Whitewater and everyone concerned with air and water quality in western Colorado, the state office of the Bureau of Land...

Youths Secure Second Win In Washington State Climate Lawsuit (Press Release 4/29/16)

Apr 29, 2016

Judge Chastises State, Rules From Bench Ordering State to Reduce Carbon EmissionsLocation:SeattleToday, in a surprise ruling from the bench (transcript here) in the critical climate case brought by youths against the state of Washington's Department of Ecology...

Court Rules Against Unrestricted Motorized Travel in Santa Fe National Forest (Press Release 4/28/16)

Apr 28, 2016

Ruling Upholds Forest Service Plan to Protect Irreplaceable Wildlife Habitat and Minimize User Conflicts Location:Santa Fe, NMThe Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday dismissed an appeal of the U.S. Forest Service's 2012 Santa Fe National Forest travel...

Seattle Youths Head Back to King County Courthouse for Hearing on Landmark Climate Change Lawsuit (Media Advisory 4/26/16)

Apr 26, 2016

Location:SeattleWHAT: Judge Hollis Hill will hear another round of oral arguments in the important case brought by seven young Washingtonians to address the Washington Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) persistent refusal to implement science-based carbon pollution...

As Coal Collapses, Groups Appeal 25-year Extension of Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine (News Release 4/20/16)

Apr 20, 2016

Suit Seeks Renewable Energy Transition AlternativesLocation:PhoenixAmid crumbling coal economics and surging renewable energy growth, Navajo, regional and national conservation groups filed suit today in Arizona’s federal district court challenging the U.S....

Court to Hear Arguments on the Legality of Water Rights to Operate Enloe Dam (News Advisory 4/19/16)

Apr 19, 2016

Location:SeattleWhen: Wednesday, April 20 at 9:30amWhere: Seattle – Washington State Court of Appeals, District 1; One Union Square, 600 University St.What: Oral argument in a challenge to the Washington State Department of Ecology for issuing water rights that would...

New report details path to improve Puget Sound water quality–and recover wild salmon populations (News Release 4/7/16)

Apr 7, 2016

Shift from voluntary industrial agriculture pollution programs essentialLocation:SeattleThe Western Environmental Law Center announces a new report, Agricultural Pollution in Puget Sound: Inspiration to Change Washington's Reliance on Voluntary Incentive Programs to...

In Wake of WA Climate Rule Withdrawal, Youth Petitioners Return to Court (Press Release 4/6/16)

Apr 6, 2016

Ordered to Act With Urgency, Ecology Responds With More DelaysLocation:SeattleLate yesterday, the youth petitioners in a precedent-setting case over climate disruption in Washington state asked the court to step in yet again after the state Department of Ecology...

Judge Rules Feds Improperly Refused to Protect Wolverines (Press Release 4/4/16)

Apr 4, 2016

Orders Reconsideration of Safeguards for Species Imperiled by Climate ChangeLocation:MissoulaToday, the federal district court for Montana rejected a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to deny protections for wolverines in the contiguous U.S. The...