Litigation

Forest Service
RE: Challenge to Forest Service Participation in State OSV Program

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Snowlands is leading this challenge to the Forest Service participation in the State’s OSV Program (further discussed below.)  The lawsuit, which will be filed later this year, challenges such activities under the National Environmental Policy Act, as having been conducted by the Forest Service without the required environmental review.

The Forest Service has used categorical exclusions and outdated environmental assessments to avoid the required environmental review.  The lawsuit will challenge the use of categorical exclusions in this manner and the adequacy of the environmental assessments.

We will be joined in this litigation by Winter Wildlands Alliance and Center for Biological Diversity.

Advocates for the West (Laurie Rule) is the lead counsel on this case with Bob Rowen. Earthjustice has recently agreed to serve as local counsel.  Marc Fink is the lead for CBD on this case.  Bob Rowen is leading Snowlands’ efforts and, in general, directing the litigation.

Please note: Bob Rowen is the only Snowlands representative who should be commenting to the media on this litigation. All articles, e.g. for the Bulletin, should pass through him for review. No comment about this case will be made until after it is filed.