Herd Creek diversion

Herd Creek diversion

Current Status:
Inactive

Case Title:
IWP v. Bennetts

Staff attorney(s):
Laird J. Lucas

Client(s):

Western Watersheds Project

To Protect:

Bull Trout

Salmon

Steelhead

States:
Idaho

Case Information:

Endangered Species Act citizen suit against Jim Bennetts for unlawful “take” of threatened salmon, steelhead, and bull trout associated with his unscreened public lands diversions on Herd Creek and Lake Creek (East Fork Salmon River watershed), and because of livestock damage to critical habitat on his base property.

After we filed for summary judgment supported by several expert declarations demonstrating “take” in violation of the ESA, the case was resolved when Bennetts placed the property into a conservation easement that prohibits livestock grazing and ceases the unscreened diversions.