Opinion ID: 492096
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Validity of PLO 3502.

Text: 19 Although we hold that Shiny Rock's mining claim is void ab initio, we must decide whether the district court erred nonetheless in failing to address Shiny Rock's allegation that PLO 3502 was improperly promulgated and implemented. 20 Since the inception of this case, Shiny Rock has challenged the validity of the promulgation and implementation of PLO 3502. In its appeal to the IBLA, Shiny Rock argued that PLO 3502 was invalid because, among other things, the public notices did not comply with federal regulations and that the withdrawal violated the Multiple Use Act of 1955. ER pp. 22-23. Although it was not necessary to do so ... [the IBLA] did examine many of the issues raised by [Shiny Rock].... If [Shiny Rock] believes that the withdrawal was defective ... it may wish to pursue whether BLM would be willing to revoke or modify the withdrawal.... But the appeal to this Board is not the means for accomplishing this end. ER pp. 40-41. 21 Shiny Rock then filed its complaint in federal district court seeking, among other things, a declaratory judgment that PLO 3502 was unconstitutional and unenforceable for failing to comply with federal regulations and for violating various federal acts. ER pp. 1-9. The district court correctly determined that the notation rule is valid and was properly applied by the IBLA. However, the district court incorrectly granted summary judgment based on the notation rule without also addressing the validity of PLO 3502. 22 Even though the notation rule is a valid method by which to administer public lands, it can not be used as a shield to avoid addressing the merits of the validity of a public land withdrawal. If the public land has already been withdrawn, suit in federal court may be the only means by which to challenge the validity of the withdrawal. See Sagebrush Rebellion v. Hodel, 790 F.2d 760 (9th Cir.1986). 23 In its complaint, Shiny Rock challenged the validity of the 1964 withdrawal order. Although Shiny Rock has no legal claim to the land, the district court should have addressed the underlying challenge to PLO 3502. We therefore remand this case to the district court for consideration of this portion of Shiny Rock's complaint. 2 We leave to the district court the task of deciding any threshold issues that may apply such as standing and timeliness of the complaint. No costs are allowed to any party. 24 AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED and REMANDED in part.