Environmental Groups Lose Case Over off-Road Vehicles

[CShine]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Supreme Court on Monday blocked a lawsuit that accused the federal government of doing too little to protect undeveloped Western land from off-road vehicles. The court, on a 9-0 vote, said environmental groups cannot use courts to force the federal Bureau of Land Management to more aggressively safeguard about 2 million acres of potential wilderness in Utah. Justices had been asked to clarify when a federal agency can be sued for failing to follow a congressional mandate - in this case, to preserve the pristine quality of lands being considered for wilderness designation.

Tina Kreisher, an Interior Department spokeswoman, praised the decision, saying it allows federal resource managers to "use their expertise to make day-to-day management decisions without unnecessary litigation."

Environmentalists said the lawsuit nonetheless drew attention to the damage done by off-road vehicles.

"It is not going away and neither are we," said Heidi McIntosh, a staff attorney for Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB1GWHFHVD.html

[HuckleB]

1. So much for our so-called Checks and Balances.

The administrative branch isn't doing its job. The legislative branch isn't doing anything to force the administrative branch to do its job. Thus, the judicial branch is our last hope. But, no, they won't make the administrative branch do its job either. Hmm.

Once again, the picture becomes vivid.

[NJCher]

2. this makes me sad

Last semester I had a student who often wrote about how much he and his friends enjoyed tearing up the terrain with their ATVs.

I had him write two essays. In one he had to pretend he was the structure of the soil and he had to explain what it was like to be compacted. He also had to take the place of the creatures of the forest and interpret an ATV assault the way they might.

In another, I had him relate his view of the "American dream" to how it affects the environment.

In the course of helping him with these assignments, I saw pictures and read about the damage caused by these vehicles.

It is ugly.


Cher

[mbperrin]

3. Of COURSE we don't want laws enforced!

My gawd, what would that lead to? Telling the truth about company performance and affecting your STOCK OPTIONS!

Jeez, next, they'll wanta keep us from selling aspirin as a cure for cancer!

Good things the courts prevented this tragedy! After all, we could have ended up with a pristine piece of the world left, and that would be a tragedy!

TEAR IT UP, JIMBO!