Description: Challenge to U.S. Forest Service approval of the Forest Plans Amendment to Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington that allegedly would remove protections for large and old trees.
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Greater Hells Canyon Council v. Wilkes
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 01/20/2023 Amicus Brief Download Brief filed by amicus curiae Nez Pierce Tribe in support of plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. 12/27/2022 Motion for Summary Judgment Download Motion for summary judgment filed by plaintiffs. 06/14/2022 Complaint Download Complaint filed. Lawsuit Said Forest Plans Amendment Would Remove Protections for Large Trees that Provide Carbon Storage. Six groups challenged the U.S. Forest Service approval of the Forest Plans Amendment to Forest Management Direction for Large Diameter Trees in Eastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington, which the complaint alleged would remove “long-standing protections for large and old trees.” The plaintiffs alleged that the agency did not prepare an environmental impact statement and classified the amendment as “insignificant” under the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) despite, among other factors indicating significance, “the value of large trees as major and increasing stores of carbon that help mitigate climate change.” The plaintiffs asserted violations of National Environmental Policy Act, the NFMA, the Endangered Species Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.