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Case TitleMontana Environmental Information Center et al v. Office of the Secretary of the Interior et al
DistrictDistrict of Montana
CityGreat Falls
Case Number4:2022cv00029
Date Filed2022-03-18
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Brian Morris
PlaintiffMontana Environmental Information Center
PlaintiffWildearth Guardians
PlaintiffCenter for Biological Diversity
Case DescriptionThe Montana Environmental Information Center, WildEarth Guardians, and the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a FOIA request to the Department of the Interior for records concerning implementation of Biden Eos dealing with issues like climate change, and oil and gas leasing on federal lands. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. However, after hearing nothing further from the agency, MEIC and the other plaintiffs filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees, Adequacy - Search

DefendantOffice of the Secretary of the Interior
DefendantOffice of the Solicitor
DefendantDepartment of the Interior
DefendantBureau of Land Management
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Opinion/Order [10]
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-03-181COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against All Defendants, filed by Wildearth Guardians, Montana Environmental Information Center, Center for Biological Diversity. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Blank Summons - Office of the Secretary - Interior, # 3 Blank Summons - Office of Solicitor - Interior, # 4 Blank Summons - BLM, # 5 Blank Summons - U.S. Attorney's Office, # 6 Blank Summons - U.S. Attorney General) (SLR) (Entered: 03/18/2022)
2022-03-18Filing fee: $ 402.00, receipt number AMTDC-2834643. (SLR) (Entered: 03/18/2022)
2022-03-182Summons Issued as to Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. Counsel is directed to download issued Summonses for service. (Attachments: # 1 Issued Summons - Office of the Solicitor, # 2 Issued Summons - BLM, # 3 Issued Summons - U.S. Attorney's Office, # 4 Issued Summons - Attorney General) (SLR) (Entered: 03/18/2022)
2022-03-183Corporate Disclosure Statement by Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, Wildearth Guardians. (Chillcott, Barbara) (Entered: 03/18/2022)
2022-03-224MOTION Justin Augustine to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 262 receipt number AMTDC-2836801.) Barbara L. Chillcott appearing for Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, Wildearth Guardians (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Justin Augustine, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order) (Chillcott, Barbara) (Entered: 03/22/2022)
2022-03-225ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Justin Augustine. NOTE: Instructions to request Montana CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here . Signed by Judge Brian Morris on 3/22/2022. **SEE ORDER FOR DETAILS** (ACC) (Entered: 03/22/2022)
2022-03-256NOTICE of Acknowledgment of Pro Hac Vice Order by Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, Wildearth Guardians re 5 Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Augustine, Justin) (Entered: 03/25/2022)
2022-03-297AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint in a FOIA case served on All Federal Defendants on 03/22/2022, filed by Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, Wildearth Guardians. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Executed / Proof of Service Upon U.S. Defendants, # 2 Summons Executed / Proof of Service Upon U.S. Attorney District of Montana, # 3 Summons Executed / Proof of Service Upon U.S. Attorney General) (Chillcott, Barbara) Modified on 3/30/2022 to reflect date of service is 03/18/22 (KAH). Modified on 4/5/2022 to reflect that pursuant to a call received from pltfs counsel the date of service is 3/22/2022 and not 3/18/22. (MMS). (Entered: 03/29/2022)
2022-03-30Set/Reset Deadlines: Bureau of Land Management answer due 4/8/2022; Department of the Interior answer due 4/8/2022; Office of the Secretary of the Interior answer due 4/8/2022; Office of the Solicitor answer due 4/8/2022. (KAH) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-04-05Set/Reset Deadlines: All Defendants. Answer due on 4/21/2022 per FOIA cases. (MMS) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2024-02-128TEXT Order : IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a Status Report is due by 2/20/2024. Signed by Judge Brian Morris on 2/12/2024. (SLL) (Entered: 02/12/2024)
2024-02-209Unopposed MOTION to Stay and Status Report . Barbara L. Chillcott appearing for Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, Wildearth Guardians. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (Chillcott, Barbara) (Entered: 02/20/2024)
2024-02-2010ORDER granting 9 Motion to Stay IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendantsshall file an answer on or before March 20, 2024. Upon filing of Defendantsanswer, proceedings in this case are stayed. The Parties shall submit a joint status report on or before June 20, 2024, and every ninety (90) days thereafter. If the Parties reach an impasse with respect to further releases of information, they shall notify the Court and propose a briefing schedule. Conversely, if Defendants complete productions and there is no dispute as to the content, the Parties will update the Court with a plan for dismissal of this matter and any proceedings with respect to attorneys fees. Signed by Judge Brian Morris on 2/20/2024. (KAH) (Entered: 02/20/2024)
2024-02-20Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Case Management deadline 3/20/2024. Status Report due by 6/20/2024. (KAH) (Entered: 02/20/2024)
2024-02-2111NOTICE of Appearance by Mark Steger Smith on behalf of Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor (Smith, Mark) (Entered: 02/21/2024)
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