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United States Forest Service v. Cottonwood Environmental Law Center

Petition for certiorari denied on October 11, 2016
Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-1387 9th Cir. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 16

Issue: (1) Whether the respondent has Article III standing to challenge the Forest Service's failure to reinitiate Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act consultation on the Lynx Amendments, which were completed in 2007, after the Fish and Wildlife Service designated additional critical habitat for the lynx in 2009, when the respondent cannot identify any member who has or will suffer a concrete injury as a result; (2) whether the respondent's challenge to the Forest Service's programmatic amendments is ripe for review when the respondent failed to challenge any site-specific project authorized under the amended plan provisions; and (3) whether Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires the Forest Service to reinitiate consultation on a completed programmatic agency action that has no on-the-ground effects when a new species is listed or new critical habitat is designated.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Mar 3 2016Application (15A906) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from March 16, 2016 to April 15, 2016, submitted to Justice Kennedy.
Mar 4 2016Application (15A906) granted by Justice Kennedy extending the time to file until April 15, 2016.
Apr 5 2016Application (15A906) to extend further the time from April 15, 2016 to May 13, 2016, submitted to Justice Kennedy.
Apr 6 2016Application (15A906) granted by Justice Kennedy extending the time to file until May 13, 2016.
May 13 2016Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 13, 2016)
Jun 6 2016Order extending time to file response to petition to and including July 13, 2016.
Jun 10 2016Brief amici curiae of American Forest Resource Council, et al. filed.
Jun 28 2016Order further extending time to file response to petition to and including August 8, 2016.
Aug 8 2016Brief of respondent Cottonwood Environmental Law Center in opposition filed.
Aug 24 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 26, 2016.
Aug 24 2016Reply of petitioners United States Forest Service, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Oct 3 2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 7, 2016.
Oct 11 2016Petition DENIED.