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Case TitleSOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv02203
Date Filed2019-07-24
Date Closed2021-12-09
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffSOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE a Utah non-profit corporation
Case DescriptionThe Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance submitted three FOIA requests to the Bureau of Land Managment for records related to the R.S. 2477 litigation in which Utah and counties are claiming ownership of various "highways" throughout the state. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency pertaining to any of its requests, SUWA filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantDEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR an agency of the United States of America
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-07-241COMPLAINT against DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-6275671) filed by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Proposed Summons DOI, # 3 Summons Proposed Summons AG, # 4 Summons Proposed Summons US Atty)(Bahr, David) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-242MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- David H. Becker, :Firm- Law Office of David H. Becker, LLC, :Address- 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. # 168, Portland, OR 97214. Phone No. - (503) 388-9160. Fax No. - N/A Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0090-6275889. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE (Attachments: # 1 Declaration DECLARATION OF DAVID H. BECKER IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE, # 2 Text of Proposed Order [PLAINTIFFS PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR ADMISSION OF ATTORNEY DAVID H. BECKER PRO HAC VICE)(Bahr, David) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-243LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE (Bahr, David) (Entered: 07/24/2019)
2019-07-26Case Assigned to Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (zeg) (Entered: 07/26/2019)
2019-07-264SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zeg) (Entered: 07/26/2019)
2019-07-26MINUTE ORDER granting 2 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel David H. Becker shall promptly register for this Court's CM/ECF system. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 07/26/2019. (lctnm1) (Entered: 07/26/2019)
2019-07-265STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 07/26/2019. (lctnm1) (Entered: 07/26/2019)
2019-07-306AMENDED COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR filed by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE.(Bahr, David) (Entered: 07/30/2019)
2019-07-317LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE (Bahr, David) (Entered: 07/31/2019)
2019-08-068RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 8/5/2019. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 9/4/2019. (Bahr, David) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-069RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 08/05/2019. (Bahr, David) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-0610RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR served on 8/5/2019 (Bahr, David) (Entered: 08/06/2019)
2019-08-1511NOTICE of Appearance by Jason Todd Cohen on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (Cohen, Jason) (Entered: 08/15/2019)
2019-08-2712MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 6 Amended Complaint by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (Cohen, Jason) (Entered: 08/27/2019)
2019-08-27MINUTE ORDER granting the Defendant's 12 Motion for Extension of Time. The Defendant shall respond or otherwise answer to the Plaintiff's Complaint on or before October 4, 2019. Further requests for extensions of time will be disfavored. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/27/19. (lctnm1) (Entered: 08/27/2019)
2019-08-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's answer or response to Plaintiff's Complaint due by 10/4/2019. (hmc) (Entered: 08/28/2019)
2019-10-0413ANSWER to 6 Amended Complaint by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.(Cohen, Jason) (Entered: 10/04/2019)
2019-10-07MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a complaint and an answer in this FOIA case. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule should address, among other things, the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, and a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. The parties shall file the schedule on or before November 6, 2019. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/07/2019. (lctnm1) (Entered: 10/07/2019)
2019-10-07ENTERED IN ERROR.....MINUTE ORDER. Having considered the parties' 28 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the briefing schedule for Defendants' Motion to Dismiss shall be as follows: Defendants' Motion to Dismiss shall be filed on or before October 9, 2019; Plaintiffs' Opposition shall be filed on or before October 23, 2019; and Defendants' Reply shall be filed on or before October 30, 2019. Should the parties resolve the pending issues prior to close of briefing or while the motion is pending, the parties shall file a Joint Status Report advising the Court. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 10/07/2019. (lctnm1) Modified on 10/8/2019 (hmc). (Entered: 10/07/2019)
2019-10-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/6/2019. (hmc) (Entered: 10/08/2019)
2019-11-0614Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. Department of the Interior and by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Becker, David) (Entered: 11/06/2019)
2019-11-07MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for a Status Conference on November 25, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2, before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/07/2019. (lctnm1). (Entered: 11/07/2019)
2019-11-07Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference scheduled for 11/25/2019, at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2 before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (tg) (Entered: 11/07/2019)
2019-11-0815Unopposed MOTION for Leave to Appear by Telephone , Unopposed MOTION Request for Adjustment of Time set for Status Conference by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE (Becker, David) Modified event on 11/14/2019 (znmw). (Entered: 11/08/2019)
2019-11-12MINUTE ORDER denying Plaintiff's 15 Motion for Leave to Appear by Telephone and Request for Adjustment of Time. The parties shall appear for a Status Conference on November 25, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2, before Judge Trevor N. McFadden, as previously ordered. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/12/2019. (lctnm1) (Entered: 11/12/2019)
2019-11-1816NOTICE of Appearance by William N. Lawton on behalf of SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE (Lawton, William) (Entered: 11/18/2019)
2019-11-2117NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Sean Michael Tepe on behalf of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Substituting for attorney Jason Cohen (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
2019-11-25Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Status Conference held on 11/25/2019. The Department shall review 500 pages a month. The parties shall also prioritize the documents of greatest interest to the Plaintiff. A Joint Status Report is due every 60 days, counting from the November 6 Joint Status Report. (Court Reporter: Crystal Pilgrim.) (hmc) (Entered: 11/25/2019)
2020-01-0618Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 01/06/2020)
2020-03-0619Joint STATUS REPORT by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Becker, David) (Entered: 03/06/2020)
2020-05-0620Joint STATUS REPORT by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Becker, David) (Entered: 05/06/2020)
2020-07-0621Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 07/06/2020)
2020-09-0422Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 09/04/2020)
2020-11-0523Joint STATUS REPORT by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Becker, David) (Entered: 11/05/2020)
2020-11-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for a telephonic status conference on December 3, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Dial in details will be emailed to counsel. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/6/2020. (lctnm1) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-11-06Set/Reset Hearings: Telephonic Status Conference set for 12/3/2020 at 10:00 AM before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (hmc) (Entered: 11/06/2020)
2020-12-03Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Telephonic Status Conference held on 12/3/2020. Joint Status Report due by 1/8/2021. (Court Reporter: Crystal Pilgrim.) (hmc) (Entered: 12/03/2020)
2021-01-0424Joint STATUS REPORT by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Bahr, David) (Entered: 01/04/2021)
2021-01-04MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to submit a further Joint Status Report by March 5, 2021, and every 60 days thereafter. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/4/2021. (lctnm1) (Entered: 01/04/2021)
2021-01-04Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/5/2021, and every 60 days thereafter. (hmc) (Entered: 01/04/2021)
2021-03-0525Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 03/05/2021)
2021-05-0726Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 05/07/2021)
2021-07-0627Joint STATUS REPORT by SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE. (Becker, David) (Entered: 07/06/2021)
2021-09-0728Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 09/07/2021)
2021-11-0529Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 11/05/2021)
2021-11-09MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 29 Joint Status Report, the parties shall submit a further Joint Status Report on or before January 4, 2022, proposing a schedule for further proceedings. If the parties reach a settlement before that date, they shall promptly inform the Court. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/9/2021. (lctnm1) (Entered: 11/09/2021)
2021-11-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/4/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 11/09/2021)
2021-12-0930STIPULATION of Dismissal by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. (Tepe, Sean) (Entered: 12/09/2021)
2021-12-09MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 30 Stipulation of Dismissal, this case is hereby DISMISSED with prejudice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). The Court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the parties' settlement agreement. See Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 511 U.S. 375, 381-82 (1994). The Clerk of Court shall close this case. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/9/2021. (lctnm1) (Entered: 12/09/2021)
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