Opinion ID: 2594248
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Superior Court's Grant of Summary Judgment to Eklutna

Text: On April 15, 2004, after the Railroad enacted its emergency rule, the Native Village of Eklutna filed a motion with this court requesting a stay of the emergency rule, or, in the alternative, a remand to the superior court so that Eklutna could challenge the enactment of the rule. Eklutna withdrew the motion for a stay after we denied the Railroad's motion for rehearing in Eklutna II and the matter was returned to the superior court. On May 20, 2004, Eklutna filed a motion for summary judgment in superior court, effectively seeking a ruling that the Railroad could not enact rules under AS 42.40.390 without first attempting to comply with local land use regulations. The Municipality of Anchorage intervened on behalf of Eklutna. Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner granted Eklutna's motion for summary judgment on July 7, 2004, concluding that the superior court was bound by our determination in Eklutna II that AS 42.40.390 does not clearly exempt the Railroad from local regulation. Judge Rindner awarded Eklutna full attorney's fees as a public interest litigant in the amount of $19,989. The superior court entered judgment in favor of Eklutna and the Municipality on October 28, 2004. The Railroad appeals the superior court's decision. The Municipality has joined Eklutna as an appellee.