Case Detail

FOIA Project Annotation: The court ruled that the email address for a client of a company that serves as an intermediary in leasing land for oil and gas exploration is protected by Exemption 4 (confidential business information). MAO submitted an affidavit explaining why disclosure of the client's email would cause it competitive harm. The company noted that "MAO's business relationship with its client and all other oil and gas companies depends upon the confidentiality afforded to each company's identity and business prospects by MAO." The plaintiffs, San Juan Citizens Alliance, argued that disclosure would not cause competitive harm in the field of oil and gas leasing. But the court pointed out that "the primary harm it asserts is loss if the particular client at issue here, and possibly, other clients who learn of the breach of client confidentiality. . . [A]lthough [MAO] has not shown that it is certain to suffer economic harm if the information is released, it has shown a significant potential for economic harm [and] the showing is sufficient for the purposes of Exemption 4."
Issues: Exemption 4 - Confidential business information

Date Filed	Doc #	Docket Text
2013-09-10	1	COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of Interior (Filing fee $ 400, Receipt Number 1082-3527312), filed by San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Dep't of Interior, # 2 Summons BLM, # 3 Summons US Atty Colorado, # 4 Summons US Atty General, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet)(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-10	2	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-10	3	NOTICE OF CASE ASSOCIATION by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-10	4	Case assigned to Judge Robert E. Blackburn and drawn to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. Text Only Entry (sphil, ) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-10	5	SUMMONS issued by Clerk. Magistrate Judge Consent Form attached. (Attachments: # 1 Magistrate Judge Consent Form) (sphil, ) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-10	6	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland for non-dispositive motions. That pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and (B) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a) and (b), this matter is referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge:(1) To convene a scheduling conference under Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b), enter a Scheduling Order that satisfies the requirements of D.C.COLO.LCivR 16.2, and enter such orders as appropriate to enforce the Scheduling order and resolve discovery matters; provided, further that the scheduling conference, the Magistrate Judge shall advise the parties of Judge Blackburns practice standards found at www.cod.uscourts.gov.;(2) To hear and finally determine non-dispositive matters that have been referred, subject to the exceptions found in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A); and(3) To hear and make recommendations on dispositive matters that have been referred as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A).Court sponsored alternative dispute resolution is governed by D.C.COLOLCivR 16.6. On the recommendation or informal request of the magistrate judge or on the request of the parties by motion, this court may direct the parties to engage in an early neutral evaluation, a settlement conference, or another alternative dispute resolution proceeding. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 9/10/13. Text Only Entry (rebsec, ) (Entered: 09/10/2013)
2013-09-18	7	ORDER setting Scheduling/Planning Conference for 11/22/2013 at 9:30 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. By Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. (klyon, ) (Entered: 09/18/2013)
2013-09-18	15	Utility Setting/Resetting Deadlines/Hearings: Scheduling Conference set for 11/22/2013 09:30 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. Pursuant to 7 Order as date was termed in error. Text Only Entry. (klyon, ) (Entered: 10/10/2013)
2013-09-27	8	AFFIDAVIT/RETURN of Service (Answer Due 10/13/2013) of Summons, Complaint, and Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge/Consent Form upon U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Bureau of Land Management on 09/13/2013, filed by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance (Attachments: # 1 Service Upon US Defendants, # 2 Service Upon US Attorney, # 3 Service Upon US Attorney General)(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 09/27/2013)
2013-09-27	9	NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Zeyen Julian Wu on behalf of United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior (Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 09/27/2013)
2013-10-07	10	STIPULATION for Extension of Time to Answer or Respond to the Complaint by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. United States Bureau of Land Management answer due 11/5/2013; United States Department of The Interior answer due 11/5/2013. (Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 10/07/2013)
2013-10-07	11	MOTION to Intervene by Intervenor Defendant Western Energy Alliance. (Williams, Ezekiel) (Entered: 10/07/2013)
2013-10-07	12	BRIEF in Support of 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by Intervenor Defendant Western Energy Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Williams, Ezekiel) (Entered: 10/07/2013)
2013-10-08	13	MEMORANDUM regarding 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by Western Energy Alliance. Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland by Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 10/8/13. Text Only Entry (rebsec, ) Modified on 12/11/2013 - Referral of Motion changed from Magistrate Judge Boland to Magistrate Judge Tafoya pursuant to 31 Order of Recusal. (klyon, ). (Entered: 10/08/2013)
2013-10-09	14	MINUTE ORDER Setting Hearing on Motion: 11 MOTION to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance set for 11/22/2013 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. The parties shall respond to the motion by 10/29/13, no reply without leave of the court. by Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland on 10/9/13. (bnbcd, ) (Entered: 10/10/2013)
2013-10-24	16	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 MOTION to Intervene by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 10/24/2013)
2013-10-24	17	NOTICE re 16 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 MOTION to Intervene by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 10/24/2013)
2013-10-25	18	MEMORANDUM regarding 16 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by San Juan Citizens Alliance. Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 10/25/13. Text Only Entry (rebcd, ) (Entered: 10/25/2013)
2013-10-25	19	MINUTE ORDER granting 16 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time for Plaintiff's to Respond to the Motion to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance. Motion Hearing on 11 Motion to Intervene and Scheduling Conference RESET to 12/9/2013 01:30 PM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. Proposed scheduling order due by 12/2/13. by Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland on 10/25/13.(bnbcd, ) (Entered: 10/25/2013)
2013-10-25	20	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond re 1 Complaint, by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only) for Ext. of Time to Respond)(Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 10/25/2013)
2013-10-25	21	MEMORANDUM regarding 20 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond re 1 Complaint, filed by United States Department of The Interior, United States Bureau of Land Management. Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland by Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 10/25/13. Text Only Entry (rebsec, ) (Entered: 10/25/2013)
2013-10-25	22	MINUTE ORDER granting 20 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond to Complaint. Defendants shall answer by 11/26/13. by Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland on 10/25/13.(bnbcd, ) (Entered: 10/25/2013)
2013-10-28	23	RESPONSE to 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Decl. of Darrell Strayhorn, # 2 Exhibit Decl. of Zeyen Wu)(Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 10/28/2013)
2013-11-12	24	RESPONSE to 11 MOTION to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance filed by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7)(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 11/12/2013)
2013-11-20	25	MOTION for Leave to File Reply in Support of 11 MOTION to Intervene by Intervenor Defendant Western Energy Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only), # 2 Proposed Document Reply in Support of Motion to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance)(Williams, Ezekiel) (Entered: 11/20/2013)
2013-11-20	26	MEMORANDUM regarding 25 MOTION for Leave to File Reply in Support of 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by Western Energy Alliance. Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 11/20/13. Text Only Entry (rebsec) (Entered: 11/20/2013)
2013-11-21	27	MINUTE ORDER granting 25 Motion for Leave to File Reply in Support ofMotion to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance. The Clerk of the Court is directed to accept for filing the attached Reply in Support of Motion to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance. By Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland on 11/21/2013.(klyon, ) (Entered: 11/21/2013)
2013-11-21	28	REPLY In Support of 11 MOTION to Intervene By Western Energy Alliance, filed by Intervenor Defendant Western Energy Alliance. (klyon, ) (Entered: 11/21/2013)
2013-11-25	29	Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management and United States Department of the Interior's ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior.(Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 11/25/2013)
2013-12-02	30	Proposed Scheduling Order by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 12/02/2013)
2013-12-09	31	ORDER: I recuse myself from further service in this action. The Clerk of the Court shall cause this case to be reassigned to another magistrate judge. The scheduling conference and motion hearing set for this afternoon at 1:30 p.m.,is VACATED. By Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland on 12/9/2013. (klyon, ) (Entered: 12/09/2013)
2013-12-09	32	CASE REASSIGNED pursuant to 31 Order. This case is reassigned to Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. All future pleadings should be designated as 13-cv-02466-REB-KMT. Text Only Entry. (klyon, ) (Entered: 12/09/2013)
2013-12-12	33	ORDER Setting Scheduling Conference for 1/14/2014 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom C201 before Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya, by Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 12/12/13. (sgrim) (Entered: 12/12/2013)
2013-12-17	34	Proposed Scheduling Order by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 12/17/2013)
2014-01-06	35	MINUTE ORDER: The Scheduling Conference set for 1/14/2014 is VACATED. The Scheduling Conference and a Motion Hearing regarding 11 Motion to Intervene by Western Energy Alliance are set for 2/5/2014 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom C201 before Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. If necessary, the parties may submit a revised Proposed Scheduling Order no later than 1/29/2014. By Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 1/6/2014. Text Only Entry (kmtlc2) (Entered: 01/06/2014)
2014-01-21	36	MINUTE ORDER: The Motions Hearing set for 2/5/2014 regarding the 11 Motion to Intervene filed by Western Energy Alliance is VACATED. The court does not feel oral argument will be necessary or helpful. The Scheduling Conference, however, will proceed as scheduled. By Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 1/21/2014. Text Only Entry (kmtlc2) (Entered: 01/21/2014)
2014-02-05	37	COURTROOM MINUTES for Scheduling Conference held on 2/5/2014 before Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. Dispositive Motions due by 2/26/2014. FTR: S. Grimm. (sgrim) (Entered: 02/05/2014)
2014-02-05	38	SCHEDULING ORDER by Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 2/5/14. (sgrim) (Entered: 02/05/2014)
2014-02-05	39	VACATED - TRIAL PREPARATION CONFERENCE ORDER: Proposed Pretrial Order due by 5/16/2014. Final Pretrial Conference and Trial Preparation Conference are set for 5/22/2014 03:00 PM in Courtroom A1001 before Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Two (2) day Bench Trial set for 5/27/2014 09:00 AM in Courtroom A1001 before Judge Robert E. Blackburn. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 2/5/14. (rebsec,) Modified on 2/12/2014 to vacate pursuant to Minute Order dated 2/12/2014. (klyon, ). (Entered: 02/05/2014)
2014-02-12	40	MINUTE ORDER: The trial set for May 27, 2014, and the Final Pretrial Conference and Trial Preparation Conference set for May 22, 2014, both are vacated. In addition, the Trial Preparation Conference Order [# 39 ] filed February 5, 2014, is vacated. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 2/12/2014. (klyon, ) (Entered: 02/12/2014)
2014-02-20	41	RECOMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE that Western Energy Alliance's Motion to Intervene 11 be DENIED, by Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 2/20/14. (sgrim) (Entered: 02/21/2014)
2014-02-26	42	MOTION for Summary Judgment by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Declaration of Darrell Strayhorn, # 2 Exhibit 2 Pl.'s FOIA Request, # 3 Exhibit 3 Letter March 25, 2013, # 4 Exhibit 4 Letter April 4, 2013, # 5 Exhibit 5 Letter May 23, 2013, # 6 Exhibit 6 E-mail May 30, 2013, # 7 Exhibit 7 Letter June 13, 2013, # 8 Exhibit 8 E-mails June 14, 2013, # 9 Exhibit 9 FOIA Req. Final Response, # 10 Exhibit 10 Exemption 4 Redaction, # 11 Exhibit 11 Pl.'s FOIA Appeal (Part 1), # 12 Exhibit 12 Letter October 1, 2013, # 13 Exhibit 13 Letter October 10, 2013, # 14 Exhibit 14 Letter October 28, 2013, # 15 Exhibit Letter and Declaration November 7, 2013, # 16 Exhibit 16 Website Info, # 17 Exhibit 11 Part 2)(Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 02/26/2014)
2014-03-03	43	OBJECTION to 41 Report and Recommendations of United States Magistrate Judge filed by Interested Party Western Energy Alliance. (Williams, Ezekiel) (Entered: 03/03/2014)
2014-03-17	44	RESPONSE to Objection to 41 RECOMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE re 11 MOTION to Intervene filed by Western Energy Alliance filed by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 03/17/2014)
2014-03-24	45	Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment and Response to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5)(Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 03/24/2014)
2014-03-24	46	RESPONSE to 42 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 03/24/2014)
2014-04-09	47	RESPONSE to 45 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment and Response to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 04/09/2014)
2014-04-09	48	REPLY to Response to 42 MOTION for Summary Judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(c) filed by Defendants United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior. (Wu, Zeyen) (Entered: 04/09/2014)
2014-04-25	49	REPLY to Response to 45 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment and Response to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance. (Tisdel, Kyle) (Entered: 04/25/2014)
2014-07-28	50	MOTION to withdraw: NOTICE of Substitution of Counsel by Plaintiff San Juan Citizens Alliance (O'Reilly, Megan) Modified on 8/1/2014 to convert to a motion per chambers (trlee, ). (Entered: 07/28/2014)
2014-09-29	51	ORDER: The Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge 41 filed February 20, 2014, is APPROVED and ADOPTED as an order of this court. The objections 43 of Western Energy Alliance are OVERRULED. The Motion To Intervene by Western Energy Alliance 11 filed October 7, 2013, is DENIED. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 9/29/2014. (trlee, ) (Entered: 09/30/2014)
2014-09-30	52	ORDER Concerning Motions for Summary Judgment. Granting 42 Motion for Summary Judgment; Denying 45 Motion for Summary Judgment. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 09/30/2014.(athom, ) (Entered: 09/30/2014)
2014-09-30	53	FINAL JUDGMENT by Clerk in favor of United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of The Interior against San Juan Citizens Alliance re: 52 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, entered on 09/30/2014. (athom, ) (Entered: 09/30/2014)
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