Court Battles

Center for Biological Diversity et al. v. Bureau of Land Management et al. (Willow Project)

November 13, 2023 Court CaseAlaskaActive

NRDC and partners are suing the agencies that have illegally approved the Willow oil development project—a ticking “carbon bomb”—in Alaska.

Garfield County et al. v. Biden et al. and Dalton et al. v. Biden et al. (Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments)

August 31, 2023 Court CaseUtahActive

NRDC joins the latest fight to defend the monuments from those who want to invalidate their borders.

NRDC et al. v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service et al. (Rusty Patched Bumblebee)

August 25, 2023 Court CaseEast, MidwestActive

For the fourth time, NRDC headed to court to secure habitat protections for the endangered rusty patched bumblebee.

Potomac Riverkeeper v. U.S. Department of the Navy

June 21, 2023 Court CaseWashington, D.C., Maryland, VirginiaActive

Potomac Riverkeeper Network and NRDC are suing the U.S. Navy for illegally discharging pollutants into the waters of the Potomac River.

Vaquita Lawsuits

June 2, 2023 Court CaseMexico, United StatesActive

NRDC and our partners are fighting to save the last of the vaquita.

NRDC v. E. Scott Pruitt et al. (Neonic Pesticides)

May 15, 2023 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

Research shows neonics are highly toxic to wildlife, including key pollinators—and the EPA’s failure to act on that evidence violates the Endangered Species Act. So we’re suing.

NRDC et al. v. Trump et al. (Bears Ears National Monument)

April 14, 2023 Court CaseUtahActive

NRDC and partners fought to restore protections to this national monument of incomparable cultural and natural significance.

The Wilderness Society et al. v. Trump et al. (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument)

April 14, 2023 Court CaseUtahActive

The president does not have the authority to reduce or rescind national monuments created under the Antiquities Act. So we sued to protect Utah’s Grand Staircase–Escalante.

Migrant Clinicians Network et al. v. U.S. EPA et al. (Streptomycin)

January 18, 2023 Court CaseUnited States, FloridaActive

Using the medically important streptomycin antibiotic as a pesticide increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and threatens the health of farmworkers, endangered species, and pollinators.

Maine People’s Alliance and NRDC v. HoltraChem Manufacturing Co. LLC, and Mallinckrodt US LLC

October 11, 2022 Court CaseMaineActive

In 2000, NRDC and the Maine People’s Alliance sued Mallinckrodt—a former owner of a plant that contaminated the Penobscot River with toxic mercury—to seek a cleanup.

NRDC v. U.S. Department of the Interior et al. (Gray Wolf Delisting)

April 25, 2022 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

A ruling secured by NRDC and others will save hundreds of wolves nationwide. But the fight to protect them isn’t over.

Keystone XL Pipeline Lawsuits

November 1, 2021 Court CaseNebraska, South Dakota, MontanaActive

The massive pipeline threatened our climate and public health—and the government’s approvals violated environmental laws. So we went to court.

Fastlane Transportation, Inc. et al. v. City of Los Angeles and BNSF Railway Co.

September 21, 2021 Court CaseCalifornia, Los AngelesActive

When the city of Los Angeles approved the construction of a noisy, polluting rail yard in a low-income community of color, NRDC went to court on behalf of local groups.

NRDC v. Federal Communications Commission

August 13, 2021 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

The FCC attempted to sidestep environmental review and public participation concerning the deployment of 5G wireless infrastructure. NRDC and our allies challenged their moves in court–and won.

National Audubon Society et al. v. David Bernhardt et al.

February 17, 2021 Court CaseAlaska, ArcticActive

NRDC and allies are suing over the Trump administration’s decision to open the heart of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing.

NRDC et al. v. McCarthy et al.

January 22, 2021 Court CaseUtahActive

When the BLM reopened the area around Utah’s Factory Butte to unrestricted off-road vehicle use, it did so without analyzing the impacts and without public notice. So we sued.

Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment et al. v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management et al.

January 20, 2021 Court CaseNew MexicoActive

The BLM failed to consult tribal communities and consider environmental impacts before it approved fracking permits in the Greater Chaco region of New Mexico.

Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance et al. v. David Bernhardt et al.

January 8, 2021 Court CaseUtahActive

The Trump administration snuck around a new conservation law to approve helium drilling in the iconic Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness. So we’re suing.

Environmental Justice Health Alliance et al. v. Council on Environmental Quality et al. (NEPA Rule)

August 6, 2020 Court CaseUnited StatesActive

The Trump administration is rolling back critical environmental reviews and blocking public participation under the guise of “streamlining.” So we’re suing.