Klamath Siskiyou v. Bureau of Land Management

Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Umpqua Watersheds, and Cascadia Wild-lands Project (collectively, “KS Wild”) appeal the district court’s finding that the Bureau of Land Management’s (“BLM’s”) 2001 and 2003 annual species review decisions regarding the red tree vole were lawful. KS Wild also appeals the district court’s finding that the Cow Catcher and Cottonsnake timber sales were valid and should be permitted to go forward. The district court determined that BLM’s decisions did not violate the Federal Land Policy & Management Act (“FLPMA”) or the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). We reverse the judgment of the district court and direct the entry of an injunction enjoining the Cow Catcher and Cottonsnake timber sales from going forward.

I. FACTUAL & PROCEDURAL HISTORY

In 1994, the federal government adopted a comprehensive forest management plan known as the Northwest Forest Plan (“NWFP”). The NWFP amended the resource management plans for many BLM districts, including the Roseburg and Med-ford districts at issue in this case, by allocating lands amongst several administrative categories throughout 24.4 million acres in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to the…