Center For Biological Diversity v. NOAA Fisheries

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL Case No. 4:21-cv-00345-KAW DIVERSITY, et al., ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ Plaintiffs, MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING v. DEFENDANTS’ CROSS-MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT NOAA FISHERIES, et al., Re: Dkt. Nos. 41, 42 Defendants. 12 On January 31, 2022, Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth filed a motion for summary judgment, in which they challenge the National Marine Fisheries Service’s issuance of a Biological Opinion codifying shipping lanes that vessels use to approach ports, which Plaintiffs allege result in significant numbers of ship strikes with Endangered Species Act-protected species. On March 17, 2022, Defendants NOAA Fisheries, Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver, U.S. Coast Guard, and Commandant Karl L. Schultz filed a cross-motion for summary judgment. …