After a section of the Sequoia National Forest in California was burned, the U.S. Forest Service allowed a group to salvage timber from the area. This project was known as The Burnt Ridge Project. Environmental organizations brought suit challenging the authority of the U.S. Forest Service for salvaged timber sales. The lawsuit finally reached the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, who ruled in favor of the environmentalists. At some point during litigation, the issue concerning The Burnt Ridge Project was settled, but the parties continued litigation over whether the U.S. Forest Service had the necessary authority to allow such sales.
On appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, the court narrowly held (5-4) that the environmentalists did not have standing to challenge the actions of the U.S. Forest Service. Because there was not a “case or controversy” any longer, the court refused to hear the case on the merits. As usual with hotly contested cases, there were strongly worded opinions on both sides. For a full account of the ruling, click here.
