Idaho Wildlife Services 2016 Environmental Assessment
Current Status:
PENDING
Case Title:
Western Watersheds Project et al. v. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
Staff attorney(s):
Talasi B. Brooks
Laird J. Lucas
Client(s):
Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians, Predator Defense
To Protect:
Idaho-dwelling coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, badgers, beavers, and birds
States:Idaho
Case Information:
Stopping the Slaughter: Suing Wildlife Services
Advocates for the West filed suit on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians, and Predator Defense, over a 2016 decision through which Wildlife Services seeks to expand its slaughter of thousands of ravens and coyotes, as well as wolves, black bears, mountain lions, foxes, badgers, beavers, and birds—to now also encompass killing predators at the request of the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.
Under this new authority, Wildlife Services anticipates, for example, poisoning hundreds of ravens in an effort to increase sage-grouse survival, despite a broad scientific consensus that predation does not pose a significant threat to sage-grouse. Advocates for the West has successfully challenged two previous similar efforts.
On behalf of Western Watersheds Project, the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians, and Predator Defense, Advocates for the West sued, alleging that Wildlife Services should have analyzed and disclosed its activities in a full Environmental Impact Statement. We asked the court to stop Wildlife Services’ expanded activities until the agency has adequately assessed their potential impacts.
