The Thurston County Superior Court ruled that WDFW’s action in approving the latest Asotin grazing permit was arbitrary and capricious, noting that the agency had disregarded its own scientists’ concerns about wildlife.
Washington state lands
Current Status:
Pending
Case Title and Number:
Dr. Steve Herman & WWP v. WDFW, No. 08-2-00276-1, Thurston County Sup. Ct
Date Filed:
02/15/2008 State court lawsuit challenging Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's agreement with ranchers to open state wildlife refuges to livestock grazing; plus challenges to various grazing leases given by WDFW on state wildlife refuges. These include areas vital to the last remaining sage-grouse populations in Washington and endangered fish (salmon, steelhead) habitat.
Despite having a mandate to manage the refuges for fish and wildlife, WDFW permitted ranchers to graze for free on Wildlife Areas under the auspices of a "pilot program." In January 2009, we won initial victory from state court holding that WDFW violated the Washington State Environmental Policy Act in issuing one lease in the Whiskey Dick/ Quilomene Wildlife Area. In April 2010, we won another victory when the court found that another lease, in the Asotin Wildlife Area, violated the Washington Administrative Procedures Act.
Advocates is grateful to several key volunteer experts without whom the victories would not have happened, especially Dr. Don Johnson and Dr. Steve Herman.
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