Oregon Natural Desert Association v. U.S. Department of the Air Force

The federal district court for the District of Oregon adopted a magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation and denied the U.S. Department of the Air Force’s motion to dismiss conservation groups’ lawsuit challenging the expansion of military aircraft trainings over the Owyhee Canyonlands of Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. The groups’ allegations included that the Air Force failed to take a hard look at adverse impacts, including how climate change would exacerbate impacts on resources. The magistrate judge found that the plaintiff organizations’ allegations were sufficient to establish associational standing even though the complaint did not specifically identify individual members whose interests would be impaired.

Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the District of Oregon challenging the U.S. Air Force’s decision to expand military aircraft training over the Owyhee Canyonlands of Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. They alleged that the Air Force violated NEPA and the Administrative Procedure by failing to take a hard look at adverse impacts (including how climate change would exacerbate impacts on resources) and mitigation measures, to consider a reasonable range of alternatives, and to provide adequate notice and public participation.