Opinion ID: 622546
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether the USFS Ensured the Scientific Integrity of Its NEPA Analysis

Text: The Save the Peaks Plaintiffs also contend that the USFS failed to ensure the scientific integrity of its analysis because it allegedly based its decision entirely on an assumption that ADEQ's analysis of the reclaimed water's safety was sound. This argument is based on the following sentence in the USFS's response to comments: Because ADEQ approved the use of reclaimed water, it is assumed different types of incidental contact that could potentially occur from use of class A reclaimed water for snowmaking were fully considered. According to the Save the Peaks Plaintiffs, the assumption contained in the sentence does not ensure the scientific integrity of the USFS's analysis because the USFS did not oversee the ADEQ's decision-making process or review the ADEQ's conclusions. The Save the Peaks Plaintiffs are mistaken. The USFS had a duty to ensure the scientific integrity of the FEIS' discussion and analysis. See Earth Island Inst. v. Carlton, 626 F.3d 462, 472 (9th Cir.2010); 40 C.F.R. § 1502.24. This duty required the USFS to disclose its methodologies and scientific sources. See City of Sausalito v. O'Neill, 386 F.3d 1186, 1213 (9th Cir.2004). Contrary to the Save the Peaks Plaintiffs' assertion, however, the USFS did not base its decision on an assumption that the ADEQ's analysis was sound. As discussed above, it carefully considered the risks posed by human ingestion of snow throughout the FEIS, most of which made no reference to the ADEQ analysis. Nevertheless, in performing its analysis, the USFS also properly considered the conclusions of the ADEQ about the safety of reclaimed water from Rio de Flag and the safety of making snow from Class A + reclaimed water like that produced at Rio de Flag. See, e.g., Edwardsen v. U.S. Dep't of the Interior, 268 F.3d 781, 789 (9th Cir.2001); Okanogan Highlands Alliance, 236 F.3d at 477; Friends of the Payette v. Horseshoe Bend Hydroelectric Co., 988 F.2d 989, 993 (9th Cir.1993). Federal policy encouraged the USFS to do so. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 4331(a), 4332(C). Thus, we affirm the district court's conclusion that the USFS did not fail to ensure the scientific integrity of its analysis in considering the ADEQ's conclusions.