Enviros Can Restart Alaska Mine Suit Despite COVID-19 Stay
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason said that a suit by environmental and Native American groups challenging the EPA’s withdrawal of proposed restrictions on an Alaskan gold and copper mining project can move forward despite a COVID-19-related stay. According to the order, "In light of the fact that the District of Alaska imposed the stay of civil cases just one day before the state’s brief was due in this case, the court finds good cause to lift the stay.”
Sheppard Mullin partner Paul Werner, who is lead counsel for plaintiff Trout Unlimited is quoted, “"Despite intervening in defense of the project in the litigation, it now says the matter is unimportant and there is no rush to proceed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time the Army Corps races ahead despite the crisis to issue a mine permit and prejudice plaintiffs in the litigation.”
Sheppard Mullin attorneys Steve Hollman, Abraham Shanedling and Rachelle Bishop are also noted as counsel to Trout Unlimited.