Center for Biological Diversity et al v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Published: Feb. 25, 2012 | Result Date: Jan. 30, 2012 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 3:06-cv-04884-SI Bench Decision – $1,003,160
Court
USDC Northern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Deborah Ann Sivas
(Stanford Environmental Law Clinic)
Lisa T. Belenky
(Center for Biological Diversity)
Robb W. Kapla
(Office of the San Francisco City Attorney)
Defendant
Michael R. Eitel
(U.S. Dept. of Justice)
Facts
Plaintiffs filed suit to stop the government from proceeding with a project to create an extensive network of routes through the West Mojave desert for off-road vehicles. They claimed the project would threaten the habitats of the desert tortoise and the Lane-Mountain milk vetch, an endangered plant.
Result
The court ruled that defendants had violated the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act by failing to place the routes specifically to minimalize environmental damage. Plaintiffs Alliance for Responsible Recreation, The Wilderness Society, Friends of Juniper Flats, Western San Bernadino Landowners Association, California Native Plant Society, and Community ORV Watch (collectively "ARR plaintiffs") were awarded $1,003,155.87 in attorney fees.
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