Fund for Animals v. Lujan, Civ. No. 92-800 (D.D.C.)
Case Summary:
On behalf of a nationwide coalition of conservation groups, in 1992, we settled a massive lawsuit with the Interior Department, in which the government agreed to substantially expedite the protection of over four hundred animals and plants under the Endangered Species Act. When the settlement was approved, The New York Times referred to it as one of "the most significant developments" ever in the protection of endangered and threatened species in this country. In 1996, we defeated an effort by the Interior Department to avoid its responsibilities under the settlement with regard to approximately 85 remaining candidate species. Instead, under pressure from the Court, the Department agreed to extend its obligations under the agreement until December 1998.
Plaintiffs: The Fund for Animals, In Defense of Endangered Species, Defenders of Wildlife, and individuals.
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia