Washington State Lands

Washington State Lands

Current Status:
Inactive

Date Filed:
Apr 9, 2009

Case Title:
Western Watersheds Project v. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Jennifer Quan

Client(s):

Western Watersheds Project

To Protect:

Greater Sage Grouse

Salmon

Steelhead

Date won/settled:
January 1, 2009

States:
Washington

Case Information:

The Thurston County Superior Court ruled that WDFW’s action in approving the latest Asotin grazing permit was arbitrary and capricious, noting that the agency had disregarded its own scientists’ concerns about wildlife.

January of 2011 — We successfully settled our case challenging the Whiskey Dick EIS with an agreement that will close about 35,000 acres of the area to livestock grazing for 20 years.

April of 2010 — We won another victory when the court found that another lease, in the Asotin Wildlife Area, violated the Washington Administrative Procedures Act.

January of 2009 — We won an initial victory from state court holding that WDFW violated the Washington State Environmental Policy Act in issuing a lease in the Whiskey Dick/ Quilomene Wildlife Area.

Three rounds of state court litigation challenging Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s agreement with ranchers to open state wildlife refuges to livestock grazing, various grazing leases given by WDFW on state wildlife refuges, and an EIS which opened up the Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area to grazing.  These include areas vital to the last remaining sage-grouse populations in Washington and endangered fish habitat.