Last month, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon alleging that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by failing to take action on a number of listing petitions.

When a listing is petitioned, the Fish and Wildlife Service has 90 days to determine whether action may be warranted and then 12 months to issue it’s finding.

The CBD’s lawsuit alleges that the Service has failed to issue 90-day and 12-month findings, for dozens of northwest species in violation of the ESA.

Stoel Rives attorney Ryan Steen issued a law alert exploring the significant implications surrounding these suits and the potential ESA listings.