Lawsuit challenging BLM proposal to build fences, pipelines and a new road near the summit of Beatys Butte, while refusing to evaluate ONDA's citizen wilderness inventory report and proposal for the area.

Dec. 20, '07 - See ONDA v. BLM, OR-010-07-01 (2007) administrative appeal for further information concerning appeal of BLM's 2007 projects and successful settlement of administrative action.

June 25, '07 - Wilderness victory! Judge enjoins BLM from implementing its revised East-West Gulch Projects and denies BLM's motion to convert agency decision to full force and effect decision.

June 20, '07 - ONDA files reply in support of petition to stay '07 East-West Gulch Projects, and response in opposition to BLM's motion asking Office of Hearings and Appeals to make agency's decision immediately implementable (i.e., "full force and effect").

June 14, '07 - Parties file joint stipulation dismissing cross-appeals of district court's Beatys Butte wilderness decision.

May 30, '07 - ONDA files administrative appeal, challenging Final Decision to implement renewed East-West Gulch Projects. Argues decision violates multiple NEPA and FLPMA requirements, as well as federal court order in ONDA v. Rasmussen. See also Marlett Declaration (addressing East Gulch grazing and road issue) and Miller Declaration (addressing BLM's evaluation of ONDA's wilderness inventory report).

Apr. 25, '07 - BLM responds to ONDA's protest, rejecting all protest points and issuing a Final Decision.

Mar. 16, '07 - ONDA files administrative protest over BLM's proposed decision to move forward with the renewed East-West Gulch Projects, including agency's finding that there are no wilderness values present on Beatys Butte outside of existing Wilderness Study Areas.

Feb. 21, '07 - ONDA comments on BLM's revised EA for Beaty Butte Gulch Projects, including agency's evaluation of ONDA's wilderness inventory report. See wilderness overview map (PDF* 1.5MB) and example route photo (PDF* 1.5MB).

Feb. 16, '07 - ONDA files cross-appeal in 9th Cir. after BLM appeals ONDA's victory in Beaty Butte East-West Gulch Projects case.

Jan. 2, '07 - Court issues order vacating BLM's unlawful Beaty Butte Gulch Projects decision and prohibiting BLM from using unlawfully-constructed grazing structures (roads, pipelines, tanks) until agency completes a current wilderness inventory for the area and prepares an environmental assessment that takes into account wilderness values.

Nov. 14, '06 - ONDA files proposed relief order and brief with court in Beaty Butte East-West Gulches wilderness case. See also BLM letter to the public following district court's decision in ONDA's favor.

Sept. 7, '06 - Wilderness victory! District court confirms ruling that BLM acted unlawfully by adopting Beaty Butte rangeland project based on inaccurate and outdated wilderness inventory information, and ignoring ONDA's citizen wilderness inventory report.

June 23, '06 - ONDA responds to BLM's objections in Beaty Butte wilderness case, arguing for court to uphold NEPA wilderness ruling.

May 30, '06 - ONDA objects to magistrate's recommendation in Beaty Butte Gulches case (PDF* 186K), arguing agency violated not only NEPA, but also FLPMA's multiple use balancing duties concerning impacts to wilderness resource.

Apr. 20, '06 - Court rules BLM violated NEPA when it failed to consider impacts to wilderness values, including refusal to consider ONDA's inventory information, in proposed "range improvement" project on Beaty Butte.

Mar. 13, '06 - ONDA files reply brief (PDF* 203K) in support of summary judgment motion.

Mar. 1, '06 - ONDA asks court for injunction barring BLM from building fences, pipelines and road in ONDA-inventoried/proposed wilderness area in East-West Gulches on Beaty Butte. Read the memo-in-support (PDF* 197K).

Jan. 13, '06 - ONDA files opening brief (PDF* 210K) in Beaty Butte East-West Gulch case, arguing BLM refusal to consider wilderness inventory info violates NEPA and FLPMA. See also Declaration of Craig Miller (assessing BLM's "review" of ONDA's wilderness inventory report).

Jan. 10, '06 - BLM produces ONDA's wilderness inventory into administrative record in case challenging Beaty Butte range improvements; ONDA withdraws motion to compel (PDF* 20K).

Dec. 22, '05 - ONDA asks the court to order the BLM to produce ONDA's wilderness inventory report into the case's administrative record. View the motion (PDF* 21K) and the memo in support (PDF* 32K).

Oct. 21, '05 - ONDA files suit (PDF* 56K) over BLM "range improvement" project in East-West gulches near summit of Beaty Butte; targets agency refusal to consider ONDA wilderness inventory information and alternative grazing practices.