Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleLOS PADRES FORESTWATCH v. U.S. FOREST SERVICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv03702
Date Filed2022-12-12
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Randolph D. Moss
PlaintiffLOS PADRES FORESTWATCH
Case DescriptionLos Padres Forestwatch submitted FOIA requests to U.S. Forest Service for records concerning a proposal to clear vegetation and wildlife habitat across more than 235,000 acres of Los Padres National Forest. LPF's FOIA requests asked for expedited processing and a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the requests. The agency responded fully to some of LPF's requests but after hearing nothing further from the agency, LPF filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. FOREST SERVICE
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

2022-12-121COMPLAINT against UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ADCDC-9727663) filed by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Civil Process Clerk, # 3 Summons US Attorney General, # 4 Summons US Forest Service)(Kane, Maya) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2022-12-122LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH (Kane, Maya) (Entered: 12/12/2022)
2022-12-13Case Assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (zljn) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-133SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. FOREST SERVICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zljn) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-134STANDING ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives set forth in the attached Standing Order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/13/2022. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 12/13/2022)
2022-12-305RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. FOREST SERVICE served on 12/20/2022, RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 12/14/2022. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 1/13/2023.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 12/19/22. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Receipt for USFS, # 2 Exhibit Receipt for USAG, # 3 Exhibit Receipt for Civil Process Clerk)(Kane, Maya) (Entered: 12/30/2022)
2023-01-066NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Aaron Caplen on behalf of U.S. FOREST SERVICE (Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 01/06/2023)
2023-01-067Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 01/06/2023)
2023-01-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's consent motion for extension of time to respond to the complaint, Dkt. 7 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. Defendant shall respond to the complaint on or before February 3, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/12/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 01/12/2023)
2023-02-038ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. FOREST SERVICE.(Caplen, Robert) (Entered: 02/03/2023)
2023-02-03MINUTE ORDER: It is ORDERED that, on or before March 3, 2023, the parties shall confer and file a joint status report addressing (1) any documents still to be produced pursuant to FOIA; (2) an anticipated schedule for processing and producing any such documents; and (3) any substantive areas of disagreement between the parties. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall appear by video for an Initial Scheduling Conference to be held via Zoom on March 10, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 2/3/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 02/03/2023)
2023-02-069NOTICE of Appearance by Travis Stills on behalf of LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH (Stills, Travis) (Entered: 02/06/2023)
2023-02-0810NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Michael David Wagner on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Robert Caplen (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 02/08/2023)
2023-03-02MINUTE ORDER: Due to a conflict in the Court's schedule, the initial scheduling conference currently scheduled for March 10, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., is VACATED and RESCHEDULED for March 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The initial scheduling conference will still be held via Zoom. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/2/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/02/2023)
2023-03-0311Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 03/03/2023)
2023-03-10Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Randolph D. Moss: Scheduling Conference held on 3/10/2023 via Zoom. For the reasons stated on the record, the defendant is Ordered to provide the plaintiff with a description of the search and search methodology used on or before 3/27/2023. The parties shall file a Joint Status Report on or before 4/14/2023. (Court Reporter Jeff Hook) (zglw) (Entered: 03/10/2023)
2023-04-1412Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 04/14/2023)
2023-04-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 12 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before April 28, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 4/15/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 04/15/2023)
2023-04-2813Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 04/28/2023)
2023-04-29MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 13 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before June 16, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 4/29/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 04/29/2023)
2023-06-1614Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 06/16/2023)
2023-06-18MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 14 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before July 14, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/18/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 06/18/2023)
2023-07-1415Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 07/14/2023)
2023-07-17MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 15 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before August 18, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 07/17/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 07/17/2023)
2023-08-1816Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 08/18/2023)
2023-08-18MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 16 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before September 22, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 8/18/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 08/18/2023)
2023-09-2217Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 09/22/2023)
2023-09-22MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 17 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before October 24, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 9/22/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 09/22/2023)
2023-10-2418Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 10/24/2023)
2023-10-25MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 18 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report on or before November 30, 2023. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 10/25/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 10/25/2023)
2023-11-3019Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 11/30/2023)
2023-12-04MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint status report, Dkt. 19 , it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report or stipulation of settlement on or before January 31, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 12/4/2023. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 12/04/2023)
2024-01-3120MOTION for Attorney Fees and Costs by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Memorandum in Support, # 9 Text of Proposed Order)(Stills, Travis) (Entered: 01/31/2024)
2024-01-3121Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 01/31/2024)
2024-01-31MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties; joint status report, Dkt. 21 , it is hereby ORDERED that Defendant will respond to Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees, Dkt. 20 , on or before March 1, 2024; Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before March 15, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 1/31/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 01/31/2024)
2024-02-2422MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 02/24/2024)
2024-02-25MINUTE ORDER: In light of Defendant's motion to extend time to respond to Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees, Dkt. 22 , Plaintiff is hereby ORDERED to respond to the motion on or before February 27, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 2/25/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 02/25/2024)
2024-02-2723RESPONSE re 22 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply filed by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH. (Kane, Maya) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
2024-02-2924REPLY to opposition to motion re 22 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply filed by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Wagner, Michael) (Entered: 02/29/2024)
2024-03-01MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendant's motion to extend time, Dkt. 22 , and Plaintiff's opposition, Dkt. 23 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendant shall file its response to Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees on or before March 29, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/1/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/01/2024)
2024-03-2725NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Alexander Schreiber on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Michael David Wagner (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 03/27/2024)
2024-03-2826Joint MOTION to Modify And Set Briefing Schedule by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 03/28/2024)
2024-03-29MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' joint motion to extend time, Dkt. 26 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendant shall file its response to Plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees on or before April 29, 2024, and Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before May 16, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/29/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/29/2024)
2024-04-2927Memorandum in opposition to re 20 Motion for Attorney Fees, filed by U.S. FOREST SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. 1 - Scofield Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Ex. 2 - April 5 Letter, # 3 Exhibit Ex. 3 - Fee Index, # 4 Exhibit Ex. 4 - Fitzpatrick Matrix, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 04/29/2024)
2024-05-1428Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 20 MOTION for Attorney Fees and Costs by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Kane, Maya) (Entered: 05/14/2024)
2024-05-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Plaintiff's consent motion to extend time, Dkt. 28 , it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file its reply on or before May 23, 2024. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 5/15/2024. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 05/15/2024)
2024-05-2329REPLY to opposition to motion re 20 MOTION for Attorney Fees and Costs filed by LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Affidavit, # 4 Affidavit, # 5 Exhibit)(Stills, Travis) (Entered: 05/23/2024)
2024-09-1330NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez Horowitz on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Alexander Schreiber (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 09/13/2024)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar