Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleNatural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. United States Department of the Interior
DistrictSouthern District of New York
CityFoley Square
Case Number1:2017cv06422
Date Filed2017-08-23
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Richard J. Sullivan
PlaintiffNatural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
Case DescriptionThe Natural Resources Defense Council submitted a FOIA request to the Department of the Interior for records concerning Secretary Ryan Zinke's travel to Interior-administered lands. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and took a 10-day extension. After hearing nothing further from the agency, NRDC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Vaughn index, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUnited States Department of the Interior
Documents
Docket
Complaint
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2017-08-231COMPLAINT against United States Department of the Interior. (Filing Fee $ 400.00, Receipt Number 0208-14048644)Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Bernard, Mitchell) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-232CIVIL COVER SHEET filed. (Bernard, Mitchell) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-233REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to United States Department of the Interior, re: 1 Complaint. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.. (Bernard, Mitchell) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-234FIRST RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Bernard, Mitchell) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-235FIRST MOTION for Jacqueline Miya Iwata to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number 0208-14049616. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit CA Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Exhibit DC Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Affidavit Affirdavit, # 4 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Bernard, Mitchell) (Entered: 08/23/2017)
2017-08-24>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 5 FIRST MOTION for Jacqueline Miya Iwata to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number 0208-14049616. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. . The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (wb) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-24***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING PARTY MODIFICATION. Notice to attorney Mitchell S. Bernard. The party information for the following party/parties has been modified: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., United States Department of the Interior. The information for the party/parties has been modified for the following reason/reasons: party role was entered incorrectly;. (rch) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-246ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to United States Department of the Interior. (rch) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-24CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Richard J. Sullivan. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/District . Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_filing.php . (rch) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-24Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein is so designated. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: http://nysd.uscourts.gov/forms.php . (rch) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-24Case Designated ECF. (rch) (Entered: 08/24/2017)
2017-08-257ORDER FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE granting 5 Motion for Jacqueline Miya Iwata to Appear Pro Hac Vice. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 8/24/2017) (mro) (Entered: 08/28/2017)
2017-08-288NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Jacqueline M. Iwata on behalf of Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.. (Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 08/28/2017)
2017-09-019NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Jennifer Ann Jude on behalf of United States Department of the Interior. (Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 09/01/2017)
2017-09-0710AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE (FOIA CASE). United States Department of the Interior served on 8/28/2017, answer due 9/27/2017. Service was made by MAIL. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Receipt for Interior, # 2 Exhibit Receipt for Attorney General, # 3 Exhibit Receipt for USAO)(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 09/07/2017)
2017-09-0811ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the parties shall appear for an initial conference on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 11:45 a.m. in Courtroom 905 of the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, New York, New York, and as further set forth herein. (Initial Conference set for 10/6/2017 at 11:45 AM in Courtroom 905, 40 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Richard J. Sullivan.) (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 9/8/2017) (ras) (Entered: 09/11/2017)
2017-09-2512LETTER MOTION for Conference for leave to file motion for summary judgment addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata & Mitchell Bernard dated 09/25/2017. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.. Return Date set for 9/28/2017 at 11:59 PM.(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 09/25/2017)
2017-09-2713ANSWER to 1 Complaint. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 09/27/2017)
2017-09-2814LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 9/28/17 re: Plaintiff's Pre-Motion Letter. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 09/28/2017)
2017-09-2915ORDER granting 12 Letter Motion for Conference. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the initial conference currently scheduled to occur on Friday, October 6, 2017 shall serve as a premotion conference regarding Plaintiff's contemplated motion for summary judgement. In light of the nature of this case and the limited need for discovery, the parties need not submit a proposed case management plan, as ordered previously by the Court. (Doc. No. 11.) However, the Court reminds the parties that their joint letter is due no later than Friday, September 29, 2017. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate the motion pending at docket number 12. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 9/29/2017) (ras) (Entered: 09/29/2017)
2017-09-2916LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata, Mitchell Bernard, Jennifer Jude, and Joon H. Kim dated 09/29/2017 re: October 6, 2017 Conference. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 09/29/2017)
2017-10-0617Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Richard J. Sullivan: Pre-Motion Conference held on 10/6/2017. Jacqueline M. Iwata and Mitchell S. Bernard present for Plaintiff. Jennifer Ann Jude present for Defendant. The parties are directed to submit a joint letter to the Court no later than October 17, 2017 setting forth a proposed document production schedule or, in the event the parties do not reach an agreement, their respective positions as to how this matter should proceed. (Nommensen, Sara) (Entered: 10/06/2017)
2017-10-1718JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 10/17/17 re: Proposed Production Schedule. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 10/17/2017)
2017-10-1719MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 18 Letter regarding Proposed Production Schedule filed by United States Department of the Interior. ENDORSEMENT: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the parties shall comply with their jointly proposed schedule set forth above and shall submit a joint status letter no later than January 17, 2018. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 10/17/2017) (rj) Modified on 12/19/2017 (rj). (Entered: 10/18/2017)
2017-10-2020TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings re: conference held on 10/6/2017 before Judge Richard J. Sullivan. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Steven Greenblum, (212) 805-0300. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 11/13/2017. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 11/20/2017. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/18/2018.(McGuirk, Kelly) (Entered: 10/20/2017)
2017-10-2021NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT Notice is hereby given that an official transcript of a conference proceeding held on 10/6/17 has been filed by the court reporter/transcriber in the above-captioned matter. The parties have seven (7) calendar days to file with the court a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction of this transcript. If no such Notice is filed, the transcript may be made remotely electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days...(McGuirk, Kelly) (Entered: 10/20/2017)
2018-01-1722JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata dated 01/17/2018 re: Joint Status Letter. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 01/17/2018)
2018-01-1723MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 22 Letter regarding Joint Status Letter filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 1/17/2018) (rj) (Entered: 01/18/2018)
2018-01-3124JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata dated 01/31/2018 re: Joint Status Letter. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 01/31/2018)
2018-02-0125MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 24 Letter filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 1/31/2018) (jwh) (Entered: 02/01/2018)
2018-02-1626JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata dated 02/16/2018 re: Joint Status Letter. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 02/16/2018)
2018-02-1627MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 26 JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata dated 02/16/2018 re: Joint Status Letter. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. ENDORSEMENT: So ordered. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 2/16/2018) (rjm) (Entered: 02/20/2018)
2018-03-1528JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 3/15/18 re: Status Update. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 03/15/2018)
2018-03-1629MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 28 Letter filed by United States Department of the Interior. ENDORSEMENT: The parties' request is GRANTED. In the event that the parties do not "resolve this case consensually" by April 6, 2018, the parties shall appear for a conference on April 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss next steps in this matter, including whether either party intends to move for summary judgment. (Status Conference set for 4/13/2018 at 01:00 PM before Judge Richard J. Sullivan.) (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 3/15/2018) (ras) (Entered: 03/16/2018)
2018-04-0530LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 4/5/18 re: Stipulation and Proposed Order. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/05/2018)
2018-04-0631MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 30 Letter filed by United States Department of the Interior. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 4/6/2018) (ras) (Entered: 04/06/2018)
2018-04-0632STIPULATION AND ORDER: It is hereby STIPULATED and AGREED between the Parties as follows: NRDC agrees that the searches set forth in the Joint Proposal for New Searches (the "Joint Proposal"), attached hereto as Exhibit 1, together with those already completed will constitute an adequate search by Interior in response to the Request...The Parties understand and agree that this Stipulation and Order contains the entire agreement between them, and that no statements, representations, promises, agreements, or negotiations, oral or otherwise, between the Parties or their counsel that are not included herein shall be of any force or effect, and as further set forth herein. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 4/5/2018) (ras) (Entered: 04/06/2018)
2018-06-2033JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 6/20/18 re: Status Update. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 06/20/2018)
2018-06-2034MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 33 Letter filed by United States Department of the Interior. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 6/20/2018) (anc) (Entered: 06/21/2018)
2018-06-2735JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jennifer Jude dated 6/27/18 re: Status Update. Document filed by United States Department of the Interior.(Jude, Jennifer) (Entered: 06/27/2018)
2018-06-2836MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 35 Letter filed by United States Department of the Interior. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 6/27/2018) (ne) (Entered: 06/28/2018)
2018-10-1837JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Richard J. Sullivan from Jacqueline Iwata dated October 18, 2018 re: Status Update. Document filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc..(Iwata, Jacqueline) (Entered: 10/18/2018)
2018-10-1838MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re: 37 Letter filed by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. ENDORSEMENT: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the parties shall submit a joint status letter no later than December 21, 2018. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Richard J. Sullivan on 10/18/2018) (ne) (Entered: 10/19/2018)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar