YOU in the WEST
Advocates for the West firmly believes that when it comes to protecting and defending our environment, we’re all in this together.
We envision an American West where: citizens and their governments honor and protect our environment; decision-makers use science and the law to mitigate climate change; and caring for the Earth and all its creatures to benefit future generations is a sacred trust.
Stibnite Mine Air Quality Permit
Case: Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Conservation League, and Save the South Fork Salmon v. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
July 22, 2022 — Advocates for the West appealed an air quality permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Perpetua Resources Idaho, Inc. for its proposed Stibnite Gold Project. We represent the Nez Perce Tribe and Idaho Conservation League in this appeal, which was filed together with Save the South Fork Salmon. Over the prior two years,…
Oil & Gas Drilling in the Uncompahgre Region
Case: Oil & Gas Drilling in the Uncompahgre Region
October 17, 2022 — Advocates for the West reached a settlement agreement with the BLM that prevents the issuance of new oil and gas leases for lands in the Uncompahgre planning area until the agency conducts a more thorough environmental analysis and develops an amended plan. Under the agreement, the BLM must reconsider the eligibility of lands open to oil and…
October 1, 2020
Air Force Urban Warfare Training
Case: Case 1:19-cv-00103-CWD
October 1, 2020 — The court ruled a sweeping victory for Advocates for the West in our case challenging Air Force urban military training exercises over Boise and other parts of Southern Idaho. March 27, 2020 — Advocates for the West filed our reply brief in this case, as well as our opposition to the Air Force’s…
Keeping Nuke Waste Out of Idaho
Case: Nuke Waste Notice Letter
On March 5, 2015, Advocates for the West announced it would be representing former Idaho governors Cecil D. Andrus and Philip E. Batt in a call to the State of Idaho and the federal Department of Energy to fully disclose their plans for shipments of commercial spent nuclear fuel to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Representing the Governors, Director of Litigation Laird Lucas sent…
FOIA Suit Against DOE
Case: Governor Andrus vs. DOE
September 29, 2015- Advocates for the West filed suit against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on behalf of former Democratic Governor Cecil D. Andrus in an effort to force the federal agency to comply with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and publicly share information DOE has refused to release relating to proposed shipment of commercial spent…
Idaho Wildlife Services FOIA Lawsuit
Case: Western Watersheds Project v. USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services
On June 22, 2015, Advocates for the West filed a lawsuit in Idaho federal court on behalf of Western Watersheds Project against Wildlife Services to force the agency to disclose information about its wildlife-killing methods and activities in Idaho. The lawsuit alleges numerous violations of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA is a federal law that…
Dynamis Garbage Gasifier
Case: CVOC1221165
On November 19, 2012, Advocates for the West filed a petition for judicial review challenging the Ada County Commissioners creation of an industrial park at the County’s Hidden Hollow Landfill and approval of a lease agreement leasing nearly 10 acres at the landfill to Dynamis Energy, LLC. The petition, which was filed in Idaho state court…
K&W Dairy
Case: ICL v. Boer d/b/a K&W Dairy, No. 04-cv-250 (D. Idaho)
Clean Air Act citizen suit against large proposed dairy for failing to obtain a permit to construct under Idaho air quality rules. Because the dairy’s waste lagoons, manure piles, and barns would emit large amounts of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and particulates, it was required to obtain an air permit — but the dairy and Idaho regulators both…
