Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-02315/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-02315-9/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 05:551 Administrative Procedure Act

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364160.v1 Case No. 2:13-cv-02315-GEB-AC

STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS 5-7 AND ORDER

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NOSSAMAN LLP

PAUL S. WEILAND (CA 237058)

pweiland@nossaman.com

18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1800

Irvine, CA 92612

Telephone: 949.833.7800

Facsimile: 949.833.7878

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Dennis D. Murphy, Ph.D.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DENNIS D. MURPHY, PH.D.

Plaintiff,

vs.

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE; 

THOMAS TIDWELL, in his official capacity as 

Chief of THE UNITED STATES FOREST 

SERVICE; NANCY J. GIBSON, in her official 

capacity as Forester of THE UNITED STATES 

FOREST SERVICE,

Defendants.

Case No: 2:13-cv-02315-GEB-AC

STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL OF 

CLAIMS 5-7 AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

RE COURT’S RETENTION OF 

JURISDICTION

Date Action Filed: November 6, 2013

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364160.v1 - 1 - Case No. 2:13-cv-02315-GEB-AC

STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS 5-7 AND ORDER

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WHEREAS, Plaintiff served its Complaint in this matter on November 13, 2013; 

WHEREAS, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 15) on February 6, 

2014; 

WHEREAS, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 30) on July 8, 2014; 

WHEREAS, Claims 5-7 in the Second Amended Complaint allege violations of the 

Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.;

WHEREAS, Plaintiff’s fifth claim for relief against the U.S. Forest Service alleges that 

implementation of the Project’s second phase during consultation constitutes an irreversible and 

irretrievable commitment of resources in violation of section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act;

WHEREAS, Plaintiff’s sixth claim for relief against the U.S. Forest Service alleges that 

implementation of the Project’s second phase “may affect” the endangered Sierra Nevada 

yellow-legged frog and/or its habitat, thereby obligating the Forest Service to consult with the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act prior to 

implementing the Project’s second phase; 

WHEREAS, Plaintiff’s seventh claim for relief against the U.S. Forest Service alleges 

that if the Forest Service implements the Project’s second phase without consulting with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service will “take” the endangered Sierra Nevada yellowlegged frog and/or adversely modify its critical habitat in violation of section 9 of the 

Endangered Species Act; 

WHEREAS, Plaintiff’s prayed for the U.S. Forest Service to, among other things, enjoin 

any further implementation of the Project until the Forest Service remedies the above-described 

Endangered Species Act violations; 

WHEREAS, following filing of the Second Amended Complaint, the parties filed a 

stipulated order (Dkt. No. 34) on August 5, 2014, and this Court signed the order (Dkt. No. 35) 

on August 6, 2014; 

WHEREAS, the stipulated order informed the Court that the Forest Service has 

“determined that it will consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding potential impacts to 

the frog, and has resolved to take no further on-the-ground activities on the project until 

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STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS 5-7 AND ORDER

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consultation is complete and, in any event, no on-the-ground activities in 2014.” (Dkt. No. 34 at 

2:12-15); and

WHEREAS, Plaintiff’s current Endangered Species Act claims are now moot.

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED by and between the parties and their 

counsel as follows:

1. Claims 5-7 in the Second Amended Complaint in the above captioned action are 

dismissed without prejudice, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a).

2. Plaintiff reserves the right to seek an award of costs of litigation pursuant to 

section 11 of the ESA and applicable case law.

3. Defendants reserve the right to contest whether Plaintiff is eligible for an award of 

costs of litigation and, if so, to what extent.

4. The Court retains jurisdiction both with respect to Plaintiff’s remaining claims 

and, to the extent necessary, in order to resolve a dispute regarding an award of costs of 

litigation.

Respectfully submitted,

DATED: August 8, 2014 NOSSAMAN LLP

By /s/ Paul S. Weiland 

Attorney for Plaintiff

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Gregory T. Broderick 

GREGORY T. BRODERICK

Assistant United States Attorney

(as authorized on August 7, 2014)

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STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS 5-7 AND ORDER

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 8, 2014

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