Court rejects BLM plan to double drilling in Colorado River Valley, citing climate
Late yesterday, Judge Lewis T. Babcock issued an important decision finding that a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plan to drastically expand oil and gas drilling on Colorado’s Western Slope failed to adequately analyze the climate impacts of increased greenhouse gas...
Lawsuit challenges Trump administration for gutting methane waste rule
A broad coalition of conservation and citizens’ groups sued the Trump administration late Friday to challenge the Bureau of Land Management for rescinding most provisions of its 2016 methane waste rule. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, notes Interior...
Yellowstone grizzlies: Court reinstates protections, blocks ID, WY trophy hunts
Today, a U.S. District Court judge ruled against the Trump administration, reversing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2017 decision to strip grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of vital Endangered Species Act protections. The court ruled that the...
Trump administration guts methane waste rule
Today the Bureau of Land Management pre-published a rule rescinding most provisions of its 2016 methane waste rule. The original rule required oil and gas companies operating on public lands to take reasonable measures to prevent the waste of publicly owned natural...
Conservation groups ready to go to court over endangered species harmed by north-central Washington dam
Today, river advocacy groups notified federal agencies and a local public utility of their intent to sue over harm inflicted on Similkameen River endangered steelhead and threatened bull trout by Enloe Dam. New video evidence shows fish at the base of the dam unable...
Yellowstone grizzlies: Court blocks ID, WY trophy hunts for 14 more days
MISSOULA, Mont. —Today, a U.S. District Court judge extended a temporary restraining order to block planned grizzly bear trophy hunts in Idaho and Wyoming for 14 more days while he prepares a ruling. The judge may only renew a temporary restraining order such as this...
Federal appeals court upholds Oregon suction dredge mining ban
Portland, Oregon - Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a new Oregon state law banning motorized mining operations, such as suction dredging, in streams that support runs of wild salmon and steelhead trout. The court rejected miners’ assertions that the...
Yellowstone grizzlies: Court blocks ID, WY trophy hunts
MISSOULA, Mont. —Today, a U.S. District Court judge granted wildlife advocates' motion for a temporary restraining order to block planned grizzly bear trophy hunts in Idaho and Wyoming for at least 14 days. This came after a hearing regarding a high-profile case over...
Court victory protects clean water and wildlife in Ochoco National Forest
Prineville, OR—In a preliminary ruling today, Judge Patricia Sullivan rejected a U.S. Forest Service plan to add 137 miles of off road vehicle trails in central Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest through old-growth forest. The plan would have expanded the Forest’s...
Zinke abandons protection for Wild and Scenic Chetco River
In this 50th anniversary year of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, river advocates, fishermen, conservationists, and members of the Oregon congressional delegation lamented the Trump administration's decision to abandon protections for the nationally significant Wild...