Complaint

On January 3, 2012, Advocates for the West filed a complaint on behalf of Idaho Conservation League against EPA for failing to comply with its duty under the Clean Water Act to either approve or disapprove Idaho water quality standards which aim to protect people who consume fish caught in Idaho's lakes and rivers from toxins.  The State of Idaho adopted the water quality standards in 2006, and the standards reflect an increase in the estimated fish consumption rate in Idaho.  Until EPA takes action, people who consume large amounts of fish caught in Idaho risk excessive

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Complaint (Jan 3, 2012)

Representing conservation groups, residents and recreationists, Advocates for the West filed a complaint today challenging the Forest Service's approval of mining exploration at the headwaters of the Boise River for copper molybdenum (CuMo).  Mosquito Gold, a Canadian mining company, is seeking to construct 259 drill holes and over 10 miles of new roads through beautiful country in the mountains northeast of Boise.  The capital city receives 20% of its drinking water from the Boise River, making this project very controversial.

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CuMo Complaint July, 2011

In an Amended Complaint filed late June 15, 2011, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was added to the case against the US Forest Service for failing to protect the Northwest Scenic Byway and Wild & Scenic Clearwater/Lochsa Rivers of north central Idaho from degradation by "megaloads" bound for the Alberta Tar Sands in Canada.

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First Amended Complaint

Idaho Rivers United Press Release

Advocates for the West filed its opening brief in WWP v. Kempthorne, our case challenging 18 Resource Management Plans (RMPs) covering over 25 million acres of western public lands.  The brief explains how BLM's adoption of the two court-designated "test" RMPs, Craters of the Moon in Idaho and Pinedale in Wyoming, violated federal environmental laws.  It also shows how BLM bowed to political pressure and ignored its own scientists when deciding to adopt these Bush-era RMPs. 

Read the brief below.

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Opening Brief 3/14/11

Two conservation groups and three American Indian tribes filed suit today to protect a mountain valley adjacent to Great Basin National Park in Nevada from a poorly-sited industrial wind energy project approved by BLM with minimal environmental review.  The Spring Valley Wind Energy Project is a mere 4 miles from one of the largest bat caves in the Great Basin, home to up to one million Mexican free-tailed bats during their fall migration.  Bats are uniquely vulnerable to death from wind turbines from a phenomenon known as "barotrauma."  The project site is

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Complaint - Jan. 2011

In our latest challenge to Big Oil's plans to ship massive equipment up Idaho's scenic Highway 12, Advocates for the West this week filed a Petition for Contested Case Hearing with the Idaho Dept. of Transportation. "This petition seeks a full and public hearing on the proposed Exxon shipments, instead of the secret, behind-closed-doors deals that ITD has evidently been making with Big Oil," said Executive Director Laird Lucas.  READ THE PETITION HERE:

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Petition for Contested Case Hearing filed.pdf

Representing three local residents and business owners, Advocates for the West today filed suit in Idaho County court asking for an injunction to stop the Idaho Transportation Dept. from allowing ConocoPhillips to haul massive oil equipment up Highway 12 along the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers.  A ruling on the injunction is expected before Weds.  READ the petition, injuction motion, and affidavits here.

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ITD Conoco petition

Injunction motion

Hendrickson affidavit

Laughy affidavit

Grubb affidavit

The Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians have joined Western Watershed Project as our clients challenging the U.S Fish and Wildlife's decision to deny ESA protection for the Greater Sage Grouse.   

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Amended Complaint Challenging Precluded Decision

Advocates Sues to Protect Clean Water

On behalf of our client Idaho Conservation League, Advocates for the West sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week claiming that the EPA failed to adopt rules to protect water in Idaho from degradation.

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Complaint

Representing our client Western Watersheds Project, we filed a complaint in Idaho federal court on Monday, March 8, 2010 to challenge the decision by US Fish and Wildlife Service that greater sage-grouse will not be listed under the Endangered Species Act -- even though the Service now admits that the science shows sage-grouse warrant ESA protection.

The Service announced this "warranted, but precluded" finding on Friday, March 5th, and it received  much media attention -- including articles in newspapers across the country.

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Amended Complaint