Nat'l Wildlife Fed'n v. Nat'l Marine Fisheries Serv.

• Decision Date: 02 April 2018
• Docket Number: No. 17-35502, No. 18-35152, No. 17-35463, No. 17-35465, No. 18-35111,No. 17-35462, No. 17-35466, No. 17-35467,17-35462
• Citation: 886 F.3d 803
• Parties: NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants-Appellants, and State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants, and Northwest River Partners, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Montana; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants, and State of Idaho, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants, and Inland Ports and Navigation Group, Intervenor-Defendant-appellant. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants, and State of Montana, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants, and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants-Appellants. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants-Appellants, and State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants. National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees, State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants, State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants, and Northwest River Partners, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit

886 F.3d 803

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants-Appellants,andState of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants,andNorthwest River Partners, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Montana; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants,andState of Idaho, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants,andInland Ports and Navigation Group, Intervenor-Defendant-appellant.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Idaho; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants,andState of Montana, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, Intervenor-Defendants,andKootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants-Appellants.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants-Appellants,andState of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest River Partners; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants.

National Wildlife Federation; Idaho Wildlife Federation; Washington Wildlife Federation ; Sierra Club; Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Inc.; Institute for Fisheries Resources; Idaho Rivers United ; Idaho Steelhead and Salmon United; Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association; Salmon for All ; Columbia Riverkeeper; NW Energy Coalition ; Federation of Fly Fishers; American Rivers, Inc., Plaintiffs-Appellees,

State of Oregon, Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; United States Bureau of Reclamation, Defendants,State of Washington; State of Montana; State of Idaho; Inland Ports and Navigation Group; Northwest Irrigation Utilities ; Public Power Council ; Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Intervenor-Defendants,andNorthwest River Partners, Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant.

No. 17-35462

No. 17-35463

No. 17-35465

No. 17-35466

No. 17-35467

No. 17-35502

No. 18-35111

No. 18-35152

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

Argued and Submitted March 20, 2018 San Francisco, California

Filed April 2, 2018

Stephen Daniel Mashuda, Todd D. True, Attorney, Earthjustice, Seattle, WA, Daniel John Rohlf, Counsel, Portland, OR, for Plaintiffs-Appellees.

Carson Leonard Whitehead, Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice, Salem, OR, for Intervenor-Plaintiff-Appellee.

Michael Richard Eitel, Environment & Natural Resources Division, Denver, CO, Coby Howell, Portland, OR, Romney Philpott, Ellen J. Durkee, Emily Anne Polachek, Attorneys, Environment & Natural Resources Division, Washington, DC, for Defendants-Appellants.

Beth S. Ginsberg, Jason T. Morgan, Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle, WA, for Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant for NORTHWEST RIVER PARTNERS.

Clay R. Smith, Steven William Strack, Assistant Attorney Generals, AGID—Idaho Office of the Attorney General, Boise, ID, for Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant for STATE OF IDAHO.

Jeremiah D. Weiner, Assistant Attorney General, AGMT—Office of the Montana Attorney General (Helena), for Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant for STATE OF MONTANA.

William Kenneth Barquin, Kootenai Tribe (Portland Office), Legal Department, Attorney General, Julie A. Weis, Esquire, Attorney, Haglund Kelley LLP, Portland, OR, for Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant for KOOTENAI TRIBE OF IDAHO.

John Harrison, Esquire, Attorney, Stuart M. Levit, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Legal Department, Pablo, MT, for Intervenor-Defendant-Appellant for CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES.

David J. Cummings, Esquire, Attorney, OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL NEZ PERCE, Geoffrey M. Whiting, Nez Perce Tribe, Office of Legal Counsel, Lapwai, ID, Amicus Curiae for NEZ PERCE TRIBE.

BEFORE: THOMAS, Chief Judge, and TASHIMA and PAEZ, Circuit Judges.

THOMAS, Chief Judge:

These consolidated appeals are the latest round of a long-running dispute over salmon and steelhead species listed under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"), 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 - 1544. Three federal agencies (collectively, "federal defendants"), joined by intervenor-defendants, challenge injunctions issued by the district court to protect the listed species. At the request of the National Wildlife Federation and the State of Oregon (collectively, "plaintiffs"), the district court ordered the agencies to conduct certain spill operations and fish monitoring operations at dams and related facilities in the Federal Columbia River Power...