Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00407/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00407-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 42:4321 Review of Agency Action-Environment

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DELTA SMELT CONSOLIDATED CASES,

________________________________

SAN LUIS & DELTA-MENDOTA WATER

AUTHORITY, et al. v. SALAZAR, et

al.

________________________________

STATE WATER CONTRACTORS v.

SALAZAR, et al.

________________________________

COALITION FOR A SUSTAINABLE

DELTA, et al. v. UNITED STATES

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, et

al.

________________________________

METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT v.

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE

SERVICE, et al.

________________________________

STEWART & JASPER ORCHARDS, et

al. v. UNITED STATES FISH AND

WILDLIFE SERVICE.

 

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1:09-cv-0407 OWW DLB

ORDER RE: FURTHER NEPA

BRIEFING ON THE PARTIES’

CROSS-MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY

JUDGMENT

TO: ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD: 

The Court has read, fully considered, and heard argument

concerning the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment on

NEPA issues. 

Plaintiffs have amended their Complaint to state a NEPA

Case 1:09-cv-00407-LJO-BAM Document 336 Filed 10/07/09 Page 1 of 3
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claim against the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the action

agency under the Biological Opinion at dispute. The Court finds

incontrovertible that the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative and

its five components partially adopted and provisionally adopted

and implemented by the Bureau of Reclamation during the 2008-2009

water year is agency action under the Endangered Species Act

pursuant to issuance of the 2008 Biological Opinion and RPA for

OCAP operations by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,

the consulting agency, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act

section 7. 

The parties have fully briefed and argued all aspects of the

United States Bureau of Reclamation’s role as the action agency

and relationship to FWS as issuing agency. The matter has been

fully and exhaustively treated in all the legal memoranda in

support of and opposition to the motions for summary adjudication

of NEPA issues and in extended oral argument. To avoid needless

expenditure of party resources and court resources, and in the

interest of judicial economy to further avoid delay:

ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE THROUGH AND INCLUDING OCTOBER 16, 2009

TO SUPPLEMENT its LEGAL MEMORANDA OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

REGARDING SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF NEPA ISSUES. Such legal

memoranda shall not exceed seven (7) pages in length,whereupon

the NEPA cross motions; for summary adjudication shall be

RESBMITTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Case 1:09-cv-00407-LJO-BAM Document 336 Filed 10/07/09 Page 2 of 3
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Dated: October 7, 2009 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:09-cv-00407-LJO-BAM Document 336 Filed 10/07/09 Page 3 of 3