Squaw Valley/Spanish Ranch
Current Status:
WON
Case Title:
WWP v. BLM, Dept. of Interior OHA No. NV-10-2004-01 & 02
Staff attorney(s):
Todd Tucci
Client(s):
To Protect:
Greater Sage-Grouse
Date won/settled:
November 10, 2004
Nevada
Case Information:
This administrative appeal before the Office of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Interior challenged BLM’s authorization of grazing on the Squaw Valley and Spanish Ranch allotments of northern Nevada, where Barrick Goldstrike — a major gold mining company — has purchased several ranches and is running livestock on them.
Following an evidentiary hearing, the Administrative Law Judge agreed with us that BLM violated NEPA in not studying the harmful impacts of livestock grazing on sensitive wildlife species, water, and other resources; and issued an injunction barring Barrick from grazing the public lands.
Under subsequent agreement, Barrick has continued to “rest” the public lands, while carrying out limited livestock grazing on its private lands that are already badly degraded.
