Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04736/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04736-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 16:1538 Endangered Species Act

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 This disposition is not designated for publication and may not be cited.

Case No. C 04-4736 JF

ORDER TO MEET AND CONFER ABOUT INTERIM RELIEF

(JFLC1)

**E-Filed 10/14/05**

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

 v.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, et al.,

 Defendants.

Case Number C 04-4736 JF

ORDER1 DIRECTING PARTIES TO

MEET AND CONFER WITH

RESPECT TO INTERIM RELIEF

Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity and California Native Plant Society filed a

complaint on November 9, 2004, alleging two claims against Defendants Bureau of Land

Management (“BLM”) and Mike Pool, State Director of the Bureau of Land Management for

California. On March 28, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment. On April 29,

2005, Defendants filed a cross-motion for summary judgment. On July 15, 2005, the Court

issued an order, deferring ruling on the motions for summary judgment until after the United

States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) issued an anticipated Biological Opinion. On

September 2, 2005, FWS issued a Biological Opinion (“2005 BO”) evaluating the effect of

Case 5:04-cv-04736-JF Document 106 Filed 10/14/05 Page 1 of 4
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Case No. C 04-4736 JF

ORDER TO MEET AND CONFER ABOUT INTERIM RELIEF

(JFLC1)

BLM’s management of Clear Creak Management Area (“CCMA”) on the San Benito EveningPrimrose (“evening-primrose”). Plaintiffs and Defendants subsequently filed supplemental briefs

discussing the impact of the new 2005 BO on the pending motions for summary judgment. On

September 16, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a supplemental complaint that

raises certain objections to the 2005 BO. 

On October 4, 2005, the Court issued an order dismissing Plaintiffs’ first claim as moot,

deferring determination of Plaintiffs’ second claim because the claim is not yet ripe, and granting

Plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a supplemental complaint. The Court is not yet in a position to

make a final determination of Plaintiffs’ claims. However, the Court has advised the parties of

its view that interim relief may be necessary to preserve the habitat of the evening-primrose

during the pendency of the instant proceedings, as the current temporary closure of portions of

the CCMA will expire on October 15, 2005. 

In its October 4, 2005 order, the Court indicated its intention to issue a limited injunction

if the parties are unable to reach mutual agreement as to the precise nature of such interim relief. 

The parties have advised the Court that they have not been able to reach such an agreement to

date. On October 13, 2005, Defendants filed a supplemental brief responding to Plaintiffs’

declarations and opposing any interim relief. On the same date Plaintiffs filed a status report

advising the Court of the status of discussions between the parties regarding interim relief and

requesting an extension of the temporary closure of the CCMA or a limited injunction with

specific restrictions. 

Because fairness dictates that it consider the new arguments presented by BLM, and

based on BLM’s representations that BLM currently is complying with the requirements of the

1997 BO, the Court is satisfied that the evening-primrose will not suffer irreparable harm if the

Court does not issue a limited injunction immediately. Accordingly, the Court will direct the

parties to meet and confer under the supervision of Magistrate Judge Seeborg to discuss a

mutually agreeable form of interim relief. In the event that the parties do not reach agreement,

the Court will issue a reasoned order granting or denying interim relief on October 28, 2005.

Case 5:04-cv-04736-JF Document 106 Filed 10/14/05 Page 2 of 4
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Case No. C 04-4736 JF

ORDER TO MEET AND CONFER ABOUT INTERIM RELIEF

(JFLC1)

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 14, 2005

/s/ electronic signature authorized 

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

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Case No. C 04-4736 JF

ORDER TO MEET AND CONFER ABOUT INTERIM RELIEF

(JFLC1)

This Order has been served upon the following persons:

Michael Richard Eitel michael.eitel@usdoj.gov, wanda.davis@usdoj.gov

Michael W. Graf mwgraf@aol.com,

Brian Litmans litmans@worldnet.att.net

Paul Andrew Turcke pat@msbtlaw.com 

Case 5:04-cv-04736-JF Document 106 Filed 10/14/05 Page 4 of 4