Lawsuit Filed to Protect Condors from Oil and Gas Drilling
In late April of this year, three environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division, seeking an injunction against expansion of oil and gas drilling in the Los Padres National Forest. Center for Biological Diversity et al v. Weingardt et al, Case # 2:07-cv-00770-FCD-KJM. Los Padres is a haven for the California condor, and is located in the coastal mountains of central California and stretches from the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County to the western edge of Los Angeles County.
The U.S. Forest Service signed a plan back in July 2005 to allow drilling in the area. To date, no drilling or development in preparation for drilling has begun, and Los Padres spokespeople say only 21 acres out of the 760,000 acre forest could be developed for oil and gas drilling. However, spurred by an oil and wastewater spill earlier this year in a tributary near the condor sanctuary (the extent of which is debated), the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and Los Padres Forest Watch have brought suit, claiming that expansion of drilling will endanger the California condor and violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Forest Management Act.
The conservationist groups have issued press releases in an attempt to get the local public behind the lawsuit.
The groups cite to Los Padres’ contribution to the local economy. Plaintiffs claim that Los Padres attracts nearly two million visitors per year and that each visitor spends an average of $43 per day while visiting.
The Defendants answered the lawsuit in July, but to date, no further actions have been taken in the litigation. This lawsuit should be followed closely by both conservationists and oil companies, as a ruling by a federal judge on whether drilling in a national park could violate the National Environmental Policy Act or the National Forest Management Act could have significant impact on future drilling in United States national forests.
