Motion to Dismiss Granted in Wyoming Wild Horse Case

The Federal District Court of Wyoming granted our motion to dismiss a case brought by the State of Wyoming in an attempt to compel the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to remove wild horses from public lands across Wyoming. We moved to intervene in this case on behalf of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, the Cloud Foundation, Return to Freedom, and two individual wild horse photographers and advocates, Carol Walker and Kimerlee Curyl. In the order granting our motion to dismiss, as well as that of federal respondent BLM, the Court agreed with our argument that the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act affords BLM broad discretion in determining when removal of wild horses is necessary and that consideration of various factors is required to determine what actions should be taken to achieve a thriving natural ecological balance on the public rangelands. The decision can be found here. 

Brief Filed In Challenge To Regulation Allowing Thirty Years Permits For Eagle Killing

On behalf of the American Bird Conservancy and five individuals who study and enjoy eagles, we have filed a summary judgment brief in our case challenging the Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent regulation increasing the maximum duration of permits to kill or otherwise “take” Bald and Golden Eagles from five to thirty years.  The regulation, which was adopted at the urging of the wind power industry, places eagle populations at grave risk but was issued without any compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act or Endangered Species Act.  Our brief argues that the rule was adopted in flagrant violation of federal environmental law and that the poorly conceived rule should be vacated pending further study and public input.