Opinion ID: 162330
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: 120 day deadline

Text: 33 With the March 21, 2001 deadline to finish the EIS and propose a new designation looming, FWS filed on March 19, 2001 a motion for an extension of time until September 28, 2002 to comply with the district court's order. The district court viewed the motion as a motion to modify the judgment under Rule 60(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or in the alternative as a motion to exercise its power to supervise compliance with the judgment entered. 13 34 FWS argues that the district court ignored its detailed evidentiary proffer showing that compliance with a 120 day deadline was impossible given budgetary constraints. The district court specifically found, however, that the agency's difficulties in meeting the deadline stemmed from its delays in the past and were difficulties of its own making. The remedy of modification pursuant to Rule 60(b) is extraordinary and should be granted only in exceptional circumstances. See Bud Brooks Trucking, Inc. v. Bill Hodges Trucking Co., 909 F.2d 1437, 1440 (10th Cir.1990). The district court also has discretion to grant Rule 62(c) relief. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 62(c). Given the delays on the part of FWS and the urgent need for a new critical habitat designation, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Rule 60(b)(6) and Rule 62(c) relief.