Legal Decisions

2004 Petition for Judicial Review decision  Download the Court Decision: decision

Download the Document: SC v El Paso Gold Mines   PUBLISH UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS TENTH CIRCUIT SIERRA CLUB and MINERAL POLICY CENTER, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. No. 03-1105 EL PASO GOLD MINES, INC., Defendant-Appellant, and MOUNTAIN STATES LEGAL FOUNDA TION, Amicus Curiae. FILED United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit August 24, 2005 PATRICK FISHER … read more »

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion that begins: Libby, Montana, sits sixty-five miles south of the Canadian border. The seemingly rustic and picturesque environment of this area masks a troubling history–the community has been plagued with asbestos-related contamination. In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) was called in to … read more »

Judge ruled that the Forest Service was in violation of CWA and NFMA when it authorized 49 mining operations in the North Fork Burnt River Watershed. Download the Document: order on summary judgment   IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON HELLS CANYON PRESERVATION COUNCIL, EARTHWORKS, and CV. 05-1057-PK NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL … read more »

2000 Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board Decision BEFORE THE POLLUTION CONTROL HEARINGS BOARD STATE OF WASHINGTON   OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS ALLIANCE, WASHINGTON ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL, CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY, CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION, and ROGER LORENZ,   Appellants, v. STATE OF WASHINGTON, DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY, and BATTLE MOUNTAIN GOLD COMPANY, Respondent.   … read more »