Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-06191/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-06191-5/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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PROTECTIVE ORDER CONCERNING SENSITIVE ARCHEOLOGICAL 

AND BIOLOGICAL DATA AND INFORMATION CV-F-00-6191-AWI/DLB

[PROPOSED] 1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRESNO DIVISION

FRIENDS OF YOSEMITE VALLEY, ) Case No. CV-F-00-6191 AWI DLB

et al. )

) PROTECTIVE ORDER CONCERNING 

Plaintiffs, ) SENSITIVE ARCHEOLOGICAL AND

 ) BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION

v. ) AND DATA

)

GALE NORTON, in her official )

capacity as Secretary of the )

Interior, et al., )

 )

 Defendants. )

____________________________________)

This matter is before the Court on the parties’ joint stipulation regarding confidential

documents that are included in the Administrative Record for the Revised Merced River Plan. 

The stipulation indicates that information concerning the nature and location of archeological

resources is protected from disclosure to the public by the Archeological Resources Protection

Act (ARPA), 16 U.S.C. § 470hh, and other applicable laws. The parties refer to this protected

information as “ARPA Information.” The defendants have indicated that the Administrative

Record for the Revised Merced River Plan includes a number of documents that contain

protected ARPA Information. 

In addition, the defendants have indicated that several documents in the Administrative

Case 1:00-cv-06191-AWI-DLB Document 269 Filed 12/23/05 Page 1 of 3
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PROTECTIVE ORDER CONCERNING SENSITIVE ARCHEOLOGICAL 

AND BIOLOGICAL DATA AND INFORMATION CV-F-00-6191-AWI/DLB

[PROPOSED] 2

Record contain information regarding sensitive biological resources, including the location of

endangered and threatened species, special status species, and rare plants. The defendants assert

that the release of this information could expose these resources to harm. The documents in

question are listed in Exhibit A to the parties’ stipulation. 

The stipulation states that the parties have agreed on a procedure for providing the

plaintiffs’ counsel with access to this protected ARPA Information and the sensitive biological

resource data and information, provided that the plaintiffs agree to use the documents and

information for limited purposes and subject to the terms of this Order. 

The Court, having reviewed the parties’ joint stipulation, finds that good cause exists to

approve the stipulation and issue the protective order. Accordingly, 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the parties’ joint stipulation is APPROVED. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the defendants shall provide the plaintiffs’ counsel

with access to the protected ARPA Information and the sensitive biological resource information

and data listed in Exhibit A to the stipulation within ten days of receipt of this Order

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the plaintiffs’ counsel shall not use the ARPA

Information or the sensitive biological resource information and data listed in Exhibit A to the

stipulation for any purpose other than the litigation of issues included in the First Supplemental

Complaint. Specifically, the plaintiffs’ counsel shall not disclose, transcribe, copy, or otherwise

reveal protected information to anyone other than co-counsel and archeological experts retained

to assist plaintiffs with litigating matters included in the First Supplemental Complaint. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the plaintiffs shall not make the protected

information part of the public record in this matter without prior agreement from counsel for the

defendants regarding a method to ensure that such information does not become part of the

public record, unless authorized pursuant to an Order of this Court.

//

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Case 1:00-cv-06191-AWI-DLB Document 269 Filed 12/23/05 Page 2 of 3
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PROTECTIVE ORDER CONCERNING SENSITIVE ARCHEOLOGICAL 

AND BIOLOGICAL DATA AND INFORMATION CV-F-00-6191-AWI/DLB

[PROPOSED] 3

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT any other party or entity that becomes involved in

this litigation, including by intervention or by filing an amicus curiae brief, and which is

provided with a copy of the Administrative Record and the ARPA Information, shall abide by the

same terms and conditions regarding the confidentiality of ARPA Information. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 23, 2005 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:00-cv-06191-AWI-DLB Document 269 Filed 12/23/05 Page 3 of 3