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Case TitleAMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN v. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv03332
Date Filed2022-10-31
Date Closed2025-05-23
JudgeJudge Tanya S. Chutkan
PlaintiffAMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN
Case DescriptionAmerican Wild Horse Campaign submitted a FOIA request to the Bureau of Land Management for records concerning the Off-Range Pasture holding facilities for wild horses. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request but after hearing nothing further from the agency, AWHC filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
DefendantUNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-10-311COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9637739) filed by AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons to BLM, # 3 Summons to USAG, # 4 Summons to USAO-DC, # 5 Exhibit 1, # 6 Exhibit 2, # 7 Exhibit 3, # 8 Exhibit 4, # 9 Exhibit 5, # 10 Exhibit 6, # 11 Exhibit 7, # 12 Exhibit 8)(Sorenson, C.) (Entered: 10/31/2022)
2022-11-01Case Assigned to Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. (zcb, ) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-012SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zcb, ) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-143RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/7/2022. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 12/7/2022. (Sorenson, C.) (Entered: 11/14/2022)
2022-11-144RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/7/2022., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT served on 11/7/2022. (See Docket Entry 3 to view document). (znmw) (Entered: 11/15/2022)
2022-11-285NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Aaron Caplen on behalf of BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 11/28/2022)
2022-11-286Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 11/28/2022)
2022-12-06MINUTE ORDER: Granting Defendant's 6 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer to 1 Complaint until January 11, 2023. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 12/6/2022. (lcsr) (Entered: 12/06/2022)
2022-12-07Set/Reset Deadlines: Answer due by 1/11/2023. (tb) (Entered: 12/07/2022)
2023-01-117ANSWER to Complaint by BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT.(Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 01/11/2023)
2023-01-27MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. The requirements of LCvR 16.3 and Rule 26(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil procedure appear to be inapplicable. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and propose a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule shall address 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, whether and when either party anticipates filing a dispositive motion, and any other pertinent issues. The parties shall file a joint status report that addresses these issues no later than March 6, 2023. The joint status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/27/2023. (lcsr) (Entered: 01/27/2023)
2023-01-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/6/2023. (tb) (Entered: 01/30/2023)
2023-02-038NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brian J. Levy on behalf of BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Substituting for attorney Robert A. Caplen (Levy, Brian) (Entered: 02/03/2023)
2023-03-069ENTERED IN ERROR.....Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) Modified on 3/7/2023 in correct case, counsel will refile correct pleading (zjm). (Entered: 03/06/2023)
2023-03-0710Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 03/07/2023)
2023-03-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 10 , the court hereby ORDERS the parties to file another joint status report no later than May 5, 2023.. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/7/23. (lcsr) (Entered: 03/07/2023)
2023-03-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/5/2023. (tb) (Entered: 03/08/2023)
2023-05-0511Joint STATUS REPORT by BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 05/05/2023)
2023-05-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 11 , the court hereby ORDERS the parties to file a further joint status report no later than July 12, 2023. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 5/16/23. (lcsr) (Entered: 05/16/2023)
2023-07-1212Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 07/12/2023)
2023-07-17MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report 12 , the court hereby ORDERS the parties to file a further joint status report no later than September 12, 2023. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 7/17/23. (lcsr) (Entered: 07/17/2023)
2023-09-1213Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 09/12/2023)
2023-09-13MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of 13 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file another Joint Status Report on or before November 15, 2023, and every 60 days thereafter, to inform the Court of the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request. To the extent that the parties propose a change in the status quo the report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 9/13/23. (lca) (Entered: 09/13/2023)
2023-09-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/15/2023 (lsj) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-11-1514Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 14 Joint Status Report, Defendant shall serve its Vaughn index, search declaration, and pre-motion statement on Plaintiff by 1/3/2024; Plaintiff shall serve its pre-motion statement identifying any remaining disputes by 1/24/2024; and the parties shall meet, confer, and file a joint status report and proposed order no later than 3/1/2024. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 11/16/2023. (lca) (Entered: 11/16/2023)
2023-11-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Vaughn Index due by 1/3/2024. Response due by 1/24/2024. Joint Status Report due by 3/1/2024. (zed) (Entered: 11/20/2023)
2024-03-0115Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 03/01/2024)
2024-03-0116MOTION for Briefing Schedule by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (See Docket Entry 15 to view document) (zjm) (Entered: 03/01/2024)
2024-03-08MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, the court sets the following deadlines. Defendant's motion for summary judgment is due April 23, 2024. Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment is due May 29, 2024. Defendant's reply in support of its motion for summary judgment and opposition to Plaintiff's motion is due July 3, 2024. Plaintiff's reply in support of its cross-motion is due August 7, 2024. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 3/8/2024. (lca) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
2024-03-08Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 4/23/2024. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 5/29/2024. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 7/3/2024. Replies due by 8/7/2024. (lsj) (Entered: 03/08/2024)
2024-04-2317MOTION for Summary Judgment by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration Ryan Witt, # 3 Exhibit Vaughn Index, # 4 Exhibit A, # 5 Exhibit Plaintiff's Pre-Motion Statement, # 6 Exhibit Perrin Declaration, # 7 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 04/23/2024)
2024-05-2918Memorandum in opposition to re 17 Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration 2d Perrin, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Memorandum in Support)(Sorenson, C.) (Entered: 05/29/2024)
2024-05-2919Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 Declaration 2d Perrin, # 3 Statement of Facts, # 4 Memorandum in Support)(Sorenson, C.) (Entered: 05/29/2024)
2024-06-2720Consent MOTION to Vacate Order on Motion for Briefing Schedule,, by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 06/27/2024)
2024-06-28MINUTE ORDER: GRANTING 20 Consent Motion to Vacate Briefing Schedule. The court vacates the pending deadlines set by the March 8, 2024 Minute Order. The parties shall file a joint status report on or before September 27, 2024 informing the court of the status of the additional searches relevant to Plaintiff's FOIA request and, if necessary, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings in this case. The status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 6/28/2024. (lca) (Entered: 06/28/2024)
2024-09-2721Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 09/27/2024)
2024-09-27MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 21 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file a joint status report on or before December 20, 2024 informing the court of the status of the additional searches relevant to Plaintiff's FOIA request and, if necessary, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings in this case. The status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 9/27/2024. (lca) (Entered: 09/27/2024)
2024-12-2022Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 12/20/2024)
2024-12-26MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, the parties shall file an additional status report by February 20, 2025, and every 30 days thereafter, updating the court about the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, and, if necessary, proposing a briefing schedule. To the extent the parties request a change in the status quo, the status report shall be accompanied by a proposed order. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 12/26/2024. (lcdh) (Entered: 12/26/2024)
2025-01-29MINUTE ORDER: Upon further consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, the court DENIES WITHOUT PREJUDICE both the Defendant's 17 Motion for Summary Judgment and the Plaintiff's 19 Cross Motion for Summary Judgment. Pursuant to the parties' 20 Consent Motion, the court already vacated the previous summary judgment briefing schedule. Minute Ord. Jun. 28, 2024. And in their most recent joint status report 22 , the parties indicated that they have reached agreement with respect to the Defendant's supplemental searches. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/29/2025. (lcdh) (Entered: 01/29/2025)
2025-02-2023Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 02/20/2025)
2025-05-2124Joint STATUS REPORT by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Levy, Brian) (Entered: 05/21/2025)
2025-05-2125STIPULATION of Dismissal by UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (Levy, Brian) Modified on 5/22/2025 to correct event (zjm). (Entered: 05/21/2025)
2025-05-22MINUTE ORDER: In light of parties' 25 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, this action is hereby dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(i). The Clerk of the Court shall close this case. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 5/22/2025. (lcdh) (Entered: 05/22/2025)
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