PEAC Challenges Use of Herbicides in Public Lands

November 02, 2010

In November of 2010, PEAC filed a lawsuit in the federal district court in Portland, Oregon, challenging the decision by the United States Forest Service to greatly expand the use of herbicides in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest when treating invasive species. Although PEAC’s client, the Blue Mountain Biodiversity Project, understands that invasive species are a significant problem, the USFS failed to consider many viable alternatives to its almost exclusive reliance on herbicides and failed to properly evaluate the impacts of such herbicide use of aquatic resources in the forest. The parties are currently briefing cross-motions for summary judgment.