Opinion ID: 793847
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Possibility of Irreparable Injury, Balance of Hardships, and Advancement of the Public Interest

Text: 141 Because Earth Island has shown a strong likelihood of success on the merits, it need only show the possibility of irreparable injury if preliminary relief is not granted, and that the balance of hardships tips in its favor. Id. Further, in this case it is appropriate that it be required to show the advancement of the public interest. Id.; Kootenai Tribe v. Veneman, 313 F.3d 1094, 1125 (9th Cir. 2002) ([W]here the purpose of the challenged action is to benefit the environment, the public interest must be taken into account in balancing the hardships). 142 The possibility of irreparable injury has clearly been shown. We have stated that [e]nvironmental injury, by its nature, can seldom be adequately remedied by money damages and is often permanent or at least of long duration, i.e., irreparable. Nat'l Parks & Conservation Ass'n v. Babbitt, 241 F.3d 722, 737 (9th Cir.2001) (internal quotations omitted). In this case, Earth Island contends that the Power and Freds Projects may result in the unnecessary cutting of trees that would otherwise survive, in harm to the California spotted owl, and in harm to several MIS bird species. Earth Island has certainly shown that there is a possibility of such injury, and that such injury is irreparable. 143 The balance of hardships also tips in Earth Island's favor. The USFS and SPI contend, with some reason, that they will suffer economic losses if we enjoin the timber sales. But in Babbitt, we stated that a cruise ship's loss of anticipated revenues . . . does not outweigh the potential irreparable damage to the environment. Id. at 738. Further, in Earth Island we noted the importance of preserving the public's interest in preserving precious, unreplenishable resources. Earth Island, 351 F.3d at 1309(quoting Kootenai Tribe, 313 F.3d at 1125). 144 Finally, we believe that a preliminary injunction advances the public interest. The preservation of our environment, as required by NEPA and the NFMA, is clearly in the public interest.