WILDLIFE in the WEST
Threatened and endangered species in the West cover the gamut. They are bighorn sheep and wolves. They are sage-grouse and salmon. They are pygmy rabbits and spotted frogs.
Our wildlife cases wield the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and others to halt habitat destruction – unchecked grazing, industrial development, mining exploration, obsolete dams – wildlife in the West face these and many other threats daily.
As climate change and human activities cause the loss and fragmentation of habitats, our work becomes increasingly vital. We strive to protect and boost diminishing wildlife populations – from the mighty bighorn to the fragile frog.
Willamette Basin ESA Violations
Case: Notice of Intent to Sue
December 19, 2019 — Advocates for the West filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is senselessly charging ahead with a proposal to reallocate the water stored in the Willamette River Basin Flood Control Project despite the fact that the Corps is in the middle of an Endangered…
Antelope Allotment Grazing Followup
Case: Case 1:19-cv-00516-MC
December 20, 2019 — Advocates for the West filed a motion for summary judgment in this case. We are asking the court to issue a ruling in our favor based on more than a decade of the agency’s own scientific evidence and our experts’ opinions, which show livestock grazing practices on the Antelope Allotment cause significant harm…
December 18, 2019
Kilgore Mine Exploration in Centennial Mountains
Case: Case 1:18-cv-00504-CWD
On July 2, 2018, Advocates for the West filed objections to the Forest Service’s proposed approval of the Kilgore Exploration Project in the Centennial Mountains in Eastern Idaho. If approved, this extensive five-year exploration project would disrupt grizzly bears and other wildlife that depend on this critical wildlife corridor, and could pave the way for…
December 20, 2019
Salmon and Steelhead Die-Offs in Columbia and Snake Rivers
Case: Columbia Riverkeeper v. Scott Pruitt, Administrator of EPA
August 15, 2016 – In response to rising water temperatures and inaction by federal agencies, Advocates for the West filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asking the EPA to take action and prevent massive, heat-driven fish kills. In 2015 scientists recorded the warmest year on record, and hot water…
June 17, 2019
Sawtooth National Forest Water Diversions
Case: Idaho Conservation League v. U.S. Forest Service
June 17, 2019 – Court order Forest Service to analyze water use at the 20 diversions and determining how to mitigate negative impacts on fish. March 13, 2017 – Advocates for the West sent the Forest Service a notice of intent to sue for violating the Endangered Species Act by authorizing 23 existing irrigation diversions and ditches in…
Duck Creek Livestock Grazing
Case: 1:19-cv-00037-BLW
January 29, 2019 – Advocates for the West filed suit against the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), challenging the decision to continue unlawful authorization of ecologically destructive livestock grazing on the Duck Creek allotment in Utah. The allotment historically provided vital habitat for many iconic wildlife species including…
October 16, 2019
Sage-Grouse RMP Challenge
Case: No. 1:16-cv-83
February 25, 2016 – Advocates for the West filed a new lawsuit in Idaho federal court seeking to increase protections for greater sage-grouse across more than 70 million acres of federal lands in 10 western states. The case argues that new land use plans adopted by the Forest Service and BLM fail to address climate change and…
Sheep Experiment Station Followup Case
Case: Case 1:19-cv-00065-REB
December 23, 2019 — Advocates for the West filed a motion for summary judgment in this case, accompanied by seven declarations from scientific experts and witnesses in support of our case. February 20, 2019 – Advocates for the West filed suit on behalf of Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians in our latest…
Wishbone Bighorn Herd Protection
Case: WildEarth Guardians and Western Watersheds Project V. U.S. Forest Service, Case #1:19-cv-00208
January 24, 2019 – Advocates for the West filed suit to halt the Rio Grande National Forest decision to graze domestic sheep within the habitat range of bighorn herds. The suit, filed on behalf of WildEarth Guardians and Western Watersheds Project, asserts that the forest managers knew the risk that domestic sheep would pose to bighorn, yet…
Bonneville Power Administration Ratemaking
Case: Petition to Intervene
December 14, 2018 – BPA granted our motion to intervene, which will give us a real opportunity to dig into the true cost of the Lower Snake River dams. December 11, 2018 – Advocates for the West filed a petition to intervene with the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Joint Power and Transmission Rate Proceeding for the 2020-2021…
