Defenders' Experts
Public Lands Docket
In addition to species-specific litigation, Defenders aggressively advocates for the protection of the nation’s wildlife refuges, parks, forests and other public lands.
Over the last several years, the courts have served as a critical venue for challenging Bush Administration rollbacks of key protections on national forest lands, which include 192 million acres managed in 155 national forests. Defenders has played a leading role in challenging these Administration policies.
Bison and Elk Refuge Management Plan
Challenge to the Bison and Elk Management Plan for the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park on the grounds that the artificial feeding of elk in the face of high disease prevalence and ecological damage violates the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act by undermining both the health of elk populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the biological integrity of the National Elk Refuge itself. In addition, the case challenges the Final Environmental Impact Statement as violating the National Environmental Policy Act for failing to disclose and analyze the impacts of the decision to continue artificial feeding of elk and bison.
ORV Management in Big Cypress National Preserve
Challenge to the National Park Service’s decision to re-open off-road vehicle (ORV) trails in the Bear Island Unit of the Big Cypress National Preserve. Re-opening of the trails goes against the Service’s ORV Management Plan, and has an adverse impact on the highly sensitive habitat of the remaining endangered Florida panthers.
Border Fence Construction: San Pedro Riparian NCA
Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, successfully granted to halt border fence construction in San Pedro Riparian NCA. Subsequent challenge of constitutionality of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff's waiver of the Temporary Restraining Order to resume construction.
National Forest Management Plan: Bush Administration Revisions
Challenge to Bush Administration's forest management regulations which roll back protections for wildlife and their habitat in America's National Forest System.
Roadless Rule Repeal
Challenge to Bush Administration's repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule which protects America's roadless wilderness from logging and fragmentation.
