Save the Scenic Santa Ritas v. U.S. Forest Service

Filing Date: 2017
Case Categories:
Principal Laws:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Public Trust Doctrine, Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970, Stock Raising Homestead Act, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Act, Federal Reserved Water Rights Doctrine, Forest Service Organic Act
Description: Challenge to approvals for copper mine in Arizona.
  • Save the Scenic Santa Ritas v. U.S. Forest Service
    Docket number(s): 4:17-cv-00576
    Court/Admin Entity: D. Ariz.
    Case Documents:
    Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary
    11/27/2017 Complaint Download Complaint filed. Lawsuit Challenging Copper Mine Alleged Failures to Consider Climate Impacts. Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court in Arizona challenging approvals for a copper mine. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the U.S. Forest Service had failed to analyze the greenhouse gas emissions that would result from the smelting of the ore. The complaint also alleged that the combined adverse effects of groundwater drawdown and climate change had not been examined quantitatively.