Public Lands
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Preserving our natural heritage
Earthrise Law Center helps its clients monitor how government agencies manage and protect public lands. Public lands, including National Forests and the vast areas in eastern Oregon managed by the Bureau of Land Management, play an important role in the environment. They provide essential habitat for many wildlife species, contain watersheds that are critical for threatened salmonids and guarantee clean drinking water for many municipalities, and give people unique and unspoiled places to recreate and reconnect with nature.
Earthrise’s work includes submitting comments on proposed actions on public lands and drafting administrative appeals of agency decisions that our clients believe will adversely impact their use of public lands or the resources found there. When necessary, Earthrise also files lawsuits challenging agency decisions that could irreparably harm our public lands and the life that depends on it.
Earthrise legal fellow argues before the Western District of Arkansas
Lydia’s argument to protect stretches of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests is a culmination of her work as a summer clerk, clinic student, and now a fellow.
Earthrise Filed Motion for Summary Judgment in Ozarks Logging Case
Earthrise’s team filed its Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of its client, the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) to halt the Robert’s Gap Project, a large logging project, in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests of Arkansas.
Earthrise Legal Fellow’s first “live” court appearance
Our senior legal fellow, Haley Nicholson ’22, made her first live court appearance in federal district court in Maine to argue for more transparency in government decision-making. She presented oral argument in a case in which Earthrise represents several public interest environmental organizations opposing an electrical transmission line cutting across fragile and ecologically important habitat in western Maine.
Earthrise student argues before the Ninth Circuit
Drew Baloga, who took the Earthrise clinic last year and then worked with us as a summer clerk, argued in front of the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco last week. Drew presented oral argument on behalf of our clients Earth Island Institute and the Center for Biological Diversity in support of their challenge to the Three Creeks logging Project in the Inyo National Forest.
Earthrise Travels to San Francisco in May to Argue the Yosemite Logging case before the Ninth Circuit
Earthrise Clinical Professor Tom Buchele, representing the Earth Island Institute, will argue before the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco on May 9th, urging them to impose a preliminary injunction on the National Park Service’s decision to log extensively within Yosemite National Park as part of its misguided effort to reduce the severity of future wildfires by logging large trees.
Earthrise Alum Jesse Buss Makes Our Arguments to Save Walton Lake’s Old Growth Forest Before the Ninth Circuit
On March 30th Jesse Buss (2012 Earthrise alum) presented oral argument before the Ninth Circuit in Seattle, urging the court to leave in place an injunction preventing the Forest Service from logging hundreds of old-growth firs surrounding the popular Walton Lake area in Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest. Jesse’s co-counsel Earthrise Clinical Professor Tom Buchele and Bridgett Chevallier (2020 Earthrise alum and former legal fellow) were at counsel’s table for the argument.
Rising Issues #18
Forest Service Approves Drilling Near Mount St. Helens
Opposition from Cascade Forest Conservancy among other conservation and recreation groups, objection submitted.
Walton Lake Logging Stopped
Forest Service Withdraws Controversial Vegetation Clearance Project in California
Earthrise Works to Protect Quiet Recreation in Olympic National Park
Fuel Break Would Destroy Rare Plants that Exist Nowhere Else on Earth
Walton Lake Win! Forest Service Withdraws Plans to Clearcut Ochoco
After obtaining a preliminary injunction to halt logging in the Ochoco National Forest that was scheduled to begin on October 17th, Earthrise is pleased to announce the Forest Service has withdrawn it decision authorizing the logging of hundreds of large and old growth Douglas-fir and Grand fir in the Walton Lake area of the Ochoco. This area is one of the most popular recreation sites in the Ochoco as well as a location of magnificent old growth and significant wildlife habitat.
Earthrise Law Center is located in Wood Hall on the Law Campus.
MSC: 51
email earthrise@lclark.edu
voice (503) 768-6736
fax (503) 768-6642
Allison LaPlante
Earthrise Law Center
Lewis & Clark Law School
10101 S. Terwilliger Boulevard MSC 51
Portland OR 97219