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Page One
TheLitigatorFeds Lock Up One Million Acres of Energy Land
MINERS SUE OBAMA ADMININSTRATION
A117-year-oldnonprofit,non-partisanminingtradeassociationwiththousandsofmem-bersfiledalawsuitinArizonafederaldistrictcourtagainsttheObamaAdminis-trationforitslock-upofamillionacresoffederallandinnorth-ernArizona.TheNorthwestMiningAssociation(NWMA)ofSpokane,Wash-ington,representedbyMSLF,assertsinitscomplaintthatU.S.DepartmentoftheInteriorSecre-taryKenSalazarsJanuary2012orderwithdrawingthelandfromentryundertheGeneralMineralLaw,whichwillblockaccesstohundredsofmillionsofpoundsofthehighest-gradeuraniumoreinthecountry,violatesahostoffederallaws.
TheNWMAassertsthattheorder,whichincludeslandsmanagedbyboththeU.S.ForestServiceandtheBureauofLandManagement(BLM)intheAr-izonaStrip,violatestheFederalLandPolicyandManagementAct(FLPMA),theNationalForestManagementAct(NFMA),andtheNationalEnvironmen-talPolicyAct(NEPA).ThelawsuitalsocomplainsthattheFLPMAsprovi-sionpermittingtheSecretarytomakewithdrawalsinexcessof5,000acresisunconstitutionalbecauseitislinkedinextricablytoFLPMAslegislativevetoprovision,whichunconstitutionallypermitsCongresstovetoSecretarialwithdrawalordersover5,000acres.
AccordingtotheU.S.GeologicalSurvey,anagencywithintheDepart-mentoftheInterior,thelandswith-
drawnbySecretarySalazarsordercontainuraniumthat,ifminedtocapac-
ity,wouldgenerateenoughelectricitytopowerLosAngelesfor154years.
ExpertsbelievetheUnitedStatesmustdevelopdomesticsourcesofuraniuminthefaceofhigherpricesandincreasedglobaldemand.Americaisover90%dependent
onforeignsourcesofuraniumtofuelthe104nuclearreactorsthatprovidepowerfor1in5Americanhomesandbusinesses.AmajorsourceofU.S.im-portsisuraniumfromdismantledRus-sianwarheads;however,theagreementunderwhichtheU.S.pur-chasesthaturaniumexpiresin2013.Thereiscurrentlyaglobalsupplyshortfallofabout40millionpoundsofuraniumperyear,whichcomesfromexistingstock-piles.Withnuclearpowergenerationaroundtheworldprojectedtoincreasesubstan-tiallyevenafterFukushimatheseshortfallswillincreaseandstockpileswilldwindle.Thereare435nuclearreactorsoperatingworldwide,but,ac-cordingtotheNuclearEnergyInstitute,thereare65reactorsunderconstructionand491reactorsplannedorproposedaroundtheworld.TheWorldNuclearAssociationestimatesthattherewillbebetween602and1,350reactorsintheworldby2030,a38%to210%increase.Asaresult,worldwidecompetitionforuraniumwillincreasedramatically.
Spring 2012The Litigatoris published quarterly byMountain States
Legal Foundation, a nonprofit, public-interest legal
foundationdedicated to individual liberty, the right to own and use
property, limited and ethical government, and the free enterprise
system.
MOUNTAINSTATESLEGALFOUNDATION
ExecutiveOffices:2596SouthLewisWayLakewood,Colorado80227
303-292-2021Fax303-292-1980
www.mountainstateslegal.org
TheArizonaStrip,whichliesnorthoftheColoradoRiverinnorthernAri-
zona,isborderedtothesouthbythenorthernrimofGrandCanyonNationalPark.Inthe1984ArizonaWildernessAct,Congressdesignated250,000acresoffederallandonorneartheArizonaStripaswildernessandreleased600,000acresoflandinthesameareaformul-tipleuse,includinguranium
mining,asaresultofanhistoriccom-promiseamongenvironmentalgroups,uraniummininginterests,thelivestockindustry,andothers.
InJuly2009,SecretarySalazarpro-posedtowithdrawfromoperationoftheGeneralMiningLaw633,547acresofBLMlandsand360,002acresofNation-alForestlandsintheArizonaStripforupto20yearspurportedlytoprotecttheGrandCanyonwatershedfromadverseeffectsoflocatablehardrockmineralexplorationandmining.
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Page Two
OBAMACARE ARGUED AND SUBMITTED
DOUBLE YOUR MSLF GIFT! TELL THE BOSS
WEB PAGE POLL
VisitorstoMSLFswebsiteatwww.mountainstateslegal.orgrespondedtothefollowingquestion:Thefederalgovernmentsaysthatitislikenootherlandowner,inthatitcanaltertherulesandneednotadheretoanylegalrequire-ments.Isthatright?Onehundredpercent(100%)said,No:InMSLFsdefenseofGeorge,
Hull, and
McMaster,theUSAmustbetreatedlikeanyotherlandowner.Zeropercent(0%)said,Yes:TheU.S.governmentisspecial;itholdslandforthepublicandmustresistanyattackonitstitle.
VoteonthenewquestionatMSLFswebsitetoday!
Remember,thebestwaytokeepabreastofMSLFsprecedent-setting,nation-ally-significantlitigationistocheckMSLFshighlyacclaimedwebsite.MSLFswebsiteisupdatedatleasteveryweekandoftendaily.Inparticular,checkforupdatesonMSLFsLegalCasesandPressReleases.
Didyouknowthatyoumightbeabletodoubleyourgiftforfree?Thousandsofcompaniesmatchtheiremployeescharitablecontributions.Matchinggiftsplayakeyroleinhelp-ingMSLFfightitscourtbattles.Pleaseaskifyouremployerhasamatching
giftprogram.Contactyourhumanre-sourcesorpersonneldepartmenttoseeifyourcompanywillmatchyourgifttoMSLF.Then,eachtimeyoumailyourgift,pleaseincludeamatchinggiftformfromyouremployer.MSLFwilldotherest!
PENDLEYS VIEW
TheUnitedStatesofAmericaisalandownerlikenoother;sadly,fed-eralcourtsagree!ConsiderMSLFscasesfromcoasttocoast!
TheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheTenthCircuitinDenverrecentlyagreedwiththeU.S.ForestServicethat,whentheagencysoldlandinNewMexicotoAnnieGeorgespredecessor-in-interestandpre-servedanundefinedeasement,theagencycoulddefinethateasementasbroadlyasanyauthoritysetforthintheCodeofFederalRegulations.Thus,landownerswhosechainoftitleincludesthefederalgovernmentareonnotice,notmerelyofdocu-mentsconveyedatclosing,butofallrulespublishedindecadespast.
TheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheNinthCircuitinSanFranciscoisbeingtoldbyfederallawyersbat-tlingalawsuitbyKenMcMaster,whoownsa20-acreplacerclaim,intheTrinityAlpsWildernessArea,45milesnorthwestofRedding,Califor-nia,thattheBureauofLandMan-agement(BLM)canrefusetoconveypropertytowhichMr.McMasterwasentitledunderfederallawasaresultofhis1992applicationandcanseizehisprivatepropertybecausetheBLMslongstandinginterpreta-tionoftheWildernessActchangedin1998.
Finally,theU.S.CourtofAp-pealsfortheThirdCircuitinPhiladelphiaisabouttogetacaseinvolvingadirtroadthatbisectsaNewJerseyfarmownedbyMat-thewandMichelleHullandMattsbrotherAaroninsidetheDelawareWaterGapNationalRecreationArea(NRA),runbytheNationalParkService(NPS).TheNPSclaimstheroadeventhough,20yearsago,itrefusedtoaccepttheroadwhenthelocaltownshiptriedtogiveitaway.Afederaldistrictcourtruledthat,asamatterofequity,theNPSshouldgettheroad.
Nowonderpeoplebelievethereisawaragainstprivateproperty.
2010 by National Review, Inc. Reprinted by permission.
WhethertheindividualmandateofthePatientProtectionandAffordableCareAct,orObamaCare,isunconsti-tutionalisnowbeforetheSu-premeCourtoftheUnitedStatesfollowinganunprecedentedthreedaysoforalargumentsinlateMarch.BeforeeachoftheninejusticesinthestandingroomonlycrowdinthehistoricCourtroomwasthebrieffiledbyMSLF.
MSLFsroleindecidingtheissuesbeforetheCourtwasnotlimitedtoitshard-hittingfriendofthecourtbrief.TheU.S.CourtofAp-pealsfortheEleventhCircuit,whichupheldtheholdingbyaFloridafederaldistrictcourtthatthemandateisunconstitutional,reliedonavictorybyMSLF(Mountain
States Legal Foundation v.
Glickman)indecidingthecriticalissueofwhethertheStatesandotherplaintiffshavethestanding,orconstitutionalright,to
filetheirlandmarklawsuit.AfterObamaCarebecamelawinMarch2010,severallawsuitschallengeditscon-stitutionality;mostnotablewerethelawsuitbytwentysevenStatesandotherplain-tiffs,ledbyFlorida,andthe
lawsuitbyVirginia.MSLFforitsmembersacrossthecountryarguedinamicus
curiaebriefsfiledinfederaldistrictcourtsandcourtsofappealsthattheindividual
mandate,whichrequiresallAmericanstopurchasehealth
careinsuranceorpayafine,isunconstitutional.
MSLFarguesthatAmericasembraceoflimitedgovernmentofspecificenumeratedpowersbeganinthepre-Revolutionary
Days,continuedthroughtheDeclara-tionofIndependence,theConstitution,andtheBillofRights,andhasbeenupheldbythefederaljudiciary,includ-ingtheU.S.SupremeCourt.
-
AUniversityofIdaholawstudent,whooftencampsinNevada,prevailedinhislawsuitagainsttheStateofNevadachallengingNevadasbanonpossessionanddischargeofafirearmforself-defenseinstateparks.AlBaker,aNRA-certifiedHomeFirearmsSafety&BasicPistolInstructorwithalicensetocarryaconcealedhandguninIdaho,Utah,andOregonandanavidoutdoorsmenwhocampsinnorthernNevada,hourssouthofhisresidenceinBoise,wonafterNevadaamendeditscodetoconformwiththe2010rulingoftheU.S.SupremeCourtregardingSecondAmendmentrights.OneofthecampingareashehasvisitedandintendstovisitinthefutureistheWild
HorseStateRecreationAreainElko;however,hewasadvisedbyNevada
thathecouldnotpossessafunctionalfirearminthepark.WithMSLFashisattorney,Mr.BakerfiledhislawsuitinJuly2010.TheNevadaDivisionofStateParksprohibited
possessionoffirearmsinstateparks,withtwo
narrowexceptionsthatis,anunloadedfirearminside
avehicleandaconcealedhandguncarriedbyapersonlicensedpursuanttoNevadalawandprohibitedthedis-chargeoffirearms,withnoself-defenseexception.
Nevadasbanonfirearmshadpro-hibitedpossessingafunctionalfirearmwhencampinginNevadaStateParksorface6monthimprisonment,ora$1,000fine,orboth.
Page Three
NEVADA WILL OBEY SECOND AMENDMENT TIMBER CASE OVER!
WOLVES TO STAY OFF SPECIES ACT LIST
TwoMontananscelebratedthede-cisionbytheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheNinthCircuitaffirmingaJuly2011rulingbyaMontanafederaldistrictcourtthattheU.S.ForestServicemayconductaforesthealthprojectinanareaatriskfordangerousfiresthusendingathreeyearbattlebyenvironmentalgroupstokilltheplan.WithMSLFastheirattorney,JanetandRonaldHart-man,wholiveyear-roundnorthofWil-sall,urgedapprovaloftheprojectintheGallatinNationalForesttwentymilesnortheastofBozemanandparallelef-fortsbylandownersandgroupsthatarekeytocurtailingcatastrophicfireslikelytodestroyforestresources,homes,andbuildingsandendangerthelivesofresidents,visitors,andfirefighters.
InSeptember2010,theNinthCir-cuitupheldanOctober2009rulingbythedistrictcourtauthorizingtheagencytoimplementtheproject,butheldtheForestServicefailedtomeetelkcoverrequirements.InMarch2011,theForestServicesatisfiedthoserequirements.Earlier,theNinthCircuit,overtheHartmansobjections,stayedthedistrictcourtsruling.
InMay2005,theForestServicefin-ishedtheShieldsRiverWatershedRiskAssessmenttoevaluatetheriskofwild-fireandinsectlosstosome44,000acresintheSmithCreek/ShieldsRiverarea.InDecember2007,theForestServiceaftercommentsfromadjacentprivatehomeownersandState,county,andlocalofficialsandgroupsapprovedtheSmithCreekVegetationTreatmentProjecttoaddressdangerousfuelbuild-upsandmitigatetheriskofcatastrophicwildfire.TheProjectwillreducefuelloadson1,110acres,in10separateunits.Alocal,quasi-governmentalgroupwasformedtoprovidegrantstolocallandownerstoconductfuelsreductionprojectsonprivatelands.
InJuly2008,environmentalgroupschallengedtheplan.TheHartmansintervened.InOctober2008,theMon-tanafederaldistrictcourtruledfortheForestServiceandtheHartmansonallbutoneclaim;howeverenvironmentalgroupsappealed.
WhenCongressorderedtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(FWS)toremovethenorthernRockyMountaingraywolffromtheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)listinIdahoandMontana,itamendedthefederallawconsistentwithitsconstitutionalpower,ruledathree-judgepaneloftheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheNinthCircuit.TherulingwasconsistentwithabrieffiledbyMSLFonbehalfofitselfanditsclients,theMontanaFarmBureauFederationandtheIdahoFarmBureauFederation.
InJune2009whensev-eralenvironmentalgroupssuedtoinvalidateanApril2009decisionbytheFWStoremovethegraywolffromtheESAlistinIdahoandMon-tana,MSLFanditsclientsintervenedtodefendtheFWSdecision.Nonetheless,inJuly2009,aMontanafederaldistrictcourtstruckdowntheFWSdecisionandorderedthewolfbackontheESAlist.
Subsequently,CongresspassedandPresidentObamasignedalawthatre-quiredthewolfsdelistingandremovedtheissuefromfuturejudicialreview.Theenvironmentalgroupschallengedthelawsconstitutionalitybutthedistrictcourtupheldthelawandthegroups
appealed.ThepanelruledthatCongressamendedtheESAbyrequiringthewolfsdelisting,whichtheSupremeCourthasheldCongressmaydo.
Thegraywolf(Canis
lupus)onceroamedthenorthernRockyMountainregion;however,duetotheirpredationonlive-
stock,thefederalgovernmentpermittedtheirkilling;by1930,wolveshadbeenalmosteliminatedintheregion.In1973,theFWSputtheNorthernRockyMoun-tainWolf(Canis
lupus
irremotus)ontheESAlist.In1994,theFWScapturedwolvesinCanadaandreleasedtheminMontana,Idaho,andWyoming.
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Page Four
INjustIcebyJ.ChristianAdams
RegneryPublishing,Inc.;ISBN:1596982772
Hardcover-256pages(October2011)
eXPOseD: Lawlessness and Racialism Run Rampant in Obamas justice
Department
AsAmericaspremierfederallawenforcementagency,theU.S.DepartmentofJustice(DOJ)issup-posedtobecolor-blindandimmunefrompartypolitics.
Not so in the Obama Justice
Department,sayswhistleblowerandformerDOJlawyerJ.Chris-tianAdamsinhisshockingnewexpos,
Injustice: exposing the Racial Agenda of the Obama justice
Department.
AdamswhoblewthewhistleontheJusticeDepartmentshandlingoftheinfamousNewBlackPantherPartyvoterintimidationcasewitnessedfirst-handtheDOJsaggressiveradicalagenda,andisnowrevealingthetruthaboutthemostlawlessJusticeDepartmentever.
Divulgingnever-before-publisheddetailsonseveralimportantcasesincludingtheBlackPanthercaseInjusticeexposeshowtheverygovernmentdepartmentresponsibleforenforc-ingequalprotectionhasbeenoverrunbyradi-calsbentonfurtheringafringepoliticalagenda.
Thelate Andrew Breitbart said,Injustice
isanexplosiveexpose.AndMichelle Mal-kin praisesAdamsbooksaying,If
you care about justice for all, Injustice is hands-down the most
important book youll read all year.
WitheverythingfromcivilrightslawstoAmericasvotingsystematrisk,Injusticeshinesalightonthecorruption,racialism,andradicalismthatisrunningrampantintheObamaJusticeDepartment.
J. Christian
AdamsservedforfiveyearsasanattorneyintheVotingSectionoftheDOJCivilRightsDivision,wherehebroughtcasestoprotectavarietyofracialminorities,includingblacksandHispanics;healsobroughtthefirstapplicationoftheVotingRightsActtoprotectwhitevoters.OnceageneralcounseltotheSouthCarolinaSecre-taryofState,heisnowapracticingattorneyandacontributingwritertoPajamasMedia.
Injustice is FREE with a $50.00 contribution to MSLF; see the
COUPON on page 5. Autographed copies are alsoavailable for gift
giving.
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Page Five
Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF) Is A Nonprofit,
Public-Interest Legal Foundation, That Is A 501(c)(3)
Organization,Since Its 1977 Founding.
Therefore, Your GenerousContributions to MSLF Are Tax
Deductible!
MSLF CANNOT REST; ITS ROLE ESSENTIAL TO REMAINING FREE
In2012,MSLFwillhavebeengoingtocourtfor35years,fightingtocompelcompliancewiththecommandsoftheConstitutionandfederallawtoensurethatAmericaremainsanationoflaws.AtnotimeduringthesethreeplusdecadeshastheneedforMSLFtogotocourtonbehalfofthosewhocouldnotaffordlegalrepresentationbeenless-ened.Infact,asthefederalbureaucracyhasgrownandasfederallawshavebecomemorefar-reachingandintrusive,MSLFscaseloadhasincreaseddramati-cally.ThatisobviousfromareviewofthescoresofMSLFcases.
Your Support Is Vital
IfthereisonelessonMSLFhaslearnedoverthepast35years,itisthat,regardlessofwhichpartyoccupiestheWhiteHouseorcontrolsCongress,thethreattolibertyremainsandMSLFmustbeready,willing,andabletogotocourttodefendfreedom.AsThomasJeffer-sononcesaid,Eternalvigilanceisthepriceofliberty.OneofthepricesthatmustbepaidforMSLFtoremainvigi-lantisthepricethattensofthousandsofAmericanspayannuallybymakingtheirtax-deductiblecontributionstoMSLFanditslitigation.
ThesupportofMSLFbytensofthousandsofAmericanscommittedtofreedomcouldnotbemoreimportant.YoursupportwillensurethatMSLFremainsINTHECOURTSFORGOOD!
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MSLFiscommittedtothevisionoftheFoundingFathers:individualliberty,therighttoownanduseproperty,limitedandethicalgovernment,andthefreeenterprisesystem.
MSLFscommitmenttotheConstitutionensuresthatAmericaremainsanationoflawsandnotofmenandthattherichlibertylegacyofthisnationcontinues.
MSLFdoesonlyonething:itgoestocourtindefenseoftheConstitution,strictadherencetothelawsoftheland,andthosewhocannotaffordtohirelegalcounseltoprotecttheirrights.
OnlyYOUcanensurethatMSLFmaycontinueitsvitalwork.
Federal,state,andlocaltaxestakeanever-increasingshareofonesincome.
Giftgivingdecreasestaxeswhileadvancingcharitablegoals.
Atatimewhenmanymechanismsforlegallyloweringtaxeshavebeeneliminated,theopportunitiesforreducingtaxesbyplannedcharitablegivinghavebeenincreased!
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ContributionsofstockcanbemadeelectronicallytoMSLFsbrokerageaccountDTC0164.Whentransferringstock,indicateacct.#7080-3528,CharlesSchwab&Co.,51817thSt.,Suite100;Denver,CO80202.
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___________________________________________________________________________oYes,IwanttohelpMSLFinitsbattles,includingitsfightagainsttheCivilRightsDivision.o
Imademycontributionintheamountof$50,ormore.PleasesendmeInjustice.o
IhaveADDED$10tomy$50contribution;sendmeanautographedcopyofInjustice.
MSLFisa501(c)(3)nonprofitlegalfoundation;contributionsaretax-deductiblepursuanttolaw.
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Page Six
FEDS BREACH CONTRACT; FAMILY SUES!
U.S. SUPREME COURT VOIDS LAND GRAB!
AUtahfamilythatformanyyearsoperatedacommercialoutfittingandguestranchbusinessintheAshleyNationalForestineasternUtahneartheWyomingandColo-radoborders,filedafederallawsuitcharg-ingthattheU.S.ForestServicebreacheditscontractwiththefami-ly.EdandSherryBaltzownedandoperatedRockyMountainRec-reationofUtah,Inc.,whichformerlydidbusinessastheU-BarWildernessRanch.TheRanch,underaseriesofowners,operatedpursuanttoForestServicespecialusepermitsforover75years.InAugust2002,theRanchreneweditsbusinesspermitthrough2022,apermitthatincludedabaseareaof4.3-acreswheretheRanchmaintainedfiveguestcabinsandamainlodge,abathhouse,wranglerscabin,andcorrals,whichwereupdatedinJune2007,andincludedelectricityandrunningwater.InJune
2004,theRanchreneweditsoutfitter(forhuntingandfishingexpeditions)permit.In2007,theForestServiceeffectivelyvacatedbothpermits.MSLF,whichrep-
resentsthefamily,filedthelawsuitintheU.S.CourtofFederalClaimsinWashington,D.C.
InMay2005,amudslideonU.S.ForestServicelandenteredtheRanchpermitareaanddamagedaguestcabin.
AlthoughtheForestServicetookrespon-sibilityfortheincidentandassertedthatitwouldcleanupthedamagedarea,itdidnot.Inthespringof2007,theRanchcomplainedtotheForestServicethatithadfailedtokeepadrainagechannelandculvertfreeofdebris.InJuly2007,afteraminordebrisflow,whichresultedfromaccumulateddebrisinthechannelandculvert,theForestServiceissuedaSpecialClosureOrderagainsttheRanchand,inAugust2007,suspendedboththebusinessandoutfitterpermits.
InaunanimousrulingandconsistentwithafriendofthecourtbrieffiledbyMSLF,theSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStatesreversedarulingoftheMontanaSupremeCourtthathadresultedinanunprecedentedseizureofprivateprop-erty.MSLF,withdecadesofexperienceinconstitutionalandpropertyrightsissuesbeforetheCourt,foritselfandtheUtahFarmBureauFederation,hadurgedtheCourttooverturntheMontanacourtsde-terminationofnavigabilityonthebasisofpresentdayuseandwithoutperformingasectionbysectionanalysisoftherivers.
AtissuewastheMontanacourts2010rulingthatupheldalowercourtdecisionthatPPLMontana,LLC,whichreplacedtheMontanaPowerCompanyandpur-chaseditshydroelectricfacilitiesandland,owedMontana$40millionforuseofitsriverbeds.JusticeKennedy,writingfortheCourt,declaredthattheMontanarulingwasbasedonaninfirmlegaltheory.
In2003,twoMontanacitizenssuedPPLMontanaandtwootherhydroelectric
companiesinfederalcourtseekingcom-pensationforMontanaforthecompaniesuseofriverbedsundertwofederallyli-censedhydroelectricfacilitiesandarguingundertheEqualFootingDoctrinethattheriverbedsarepartofitsschooltrustandthattheyowedhundredsofmillionsinunpaidrenttoMontana.AfterMon-tanaintervened,thecourtdismissedthecasein2005.
PPLandtheotherhydroelectriccompaniesthensuedinMontanastatecourtseekingadeclarationthatfed-erallawprecludesorpreemptsanyclaimforcompensation.Montanafiledacoun-terclaimdemandingbackrent.Aftertheothercompaniessettled,Montanamovedforpartialsummaryjudgment,arguingthattheMissouri,Madison,andClarkForkRiverswerenavigablein1889,whenMontanawasadmittedtotheUnion.
MSLF IS VINDICATED
AunanimousSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStatesruledinfavorofanIdahofamilyinitsbattlewiththeEnvi-ronmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andthusvindicatedMSLFsfightforaNewMexicomanwhosoughttochallengetheEPAsdeterminationthathisaridlandswerewatersoftheUnitedStates.MSLFurgedtheSupremeCourttooverturnarulingthatMichaelandChantrellSackettofPriestLake,IdahocouldnotsuetheEPAtochallengeitsclaimthatuseoftheirlandviolatedtheCleanWaterAct(CWA).
Inthesummerof2007,theSackettsmoveddirtontheirpropertytobuildahouseonlandwithasewerhookup,inadevelopedareazonedforresidentialconstruction.ThatNovember,theEPAissuedacomplianceorderdeclaringtheSackettpropertytobeawetlandundertheCWA,barringtheSackettsfrombuild-ingahouse,andmandatingthattheSack-ettsrestoretheirlandtoitspreviousstateorpaycivilpenaltiesofupto$32,500perday.TheSackettsweredeniedahearingandtheirlawsuitinIdahofederaldistrictcourtwasdismissedwhenthecourtheldtheCWAbarsjudicialreviewofcompli-anceorderspriortoanyEPAenforcementaction.InSeptember2010,theNinthCircuitupheldthedistrictcourtsdeci-sion,rulingthattheCWAbarsjudicialreviewofadministrativeaction,whichdoesnotviolatetheSackettsdueprocessrights.InFebruary2011,theSacketts
soughtSupremeCourtreview;theyarerepresentedbyPacificLegalFoundation.
MSLFbroughtacaselikeSackett
onbehalfofaveterinarian,rancher,andentrepreneurnamedLarry
SquiresofHobbs,NewMexico.TheNewMexicofederaldistrictcourtheld,asdidtheIdahofederaldistrictcourtinSackett,
thatDr.SquirescouldnotchallengetheauthorityoftheEPA.TheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheTenthCircuit,asdidtheNinthCircuitinSackett,upheldthelowercourtsruling.TheSupremeCourtlaterdeniedcertiorari.
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Page Seven
LEGAL
ACTION
NOTABLE
QUOTES
n
AColoradostatedistrictcourtaward-edcoststoMSLFforitsvictoryoveranattempttoimposeclimatechangeregulations.
n
ANewMexicowomanbarredbytheU.S.ForestServicefromfencingherpropertylostherappealbeforetheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheTenthCircuitinDenver.
n
CaliforniaminersbriefedtheirappealwiththeNinthCircuitintheirattempttogainfulluseoftheirpatentedmin-ingclaims;theirlawsuitwasdismissedbyaCaliforniafederaldistrictcourt.
n
OnbehalfofaTexaspsychologistdeniedherfreespeechrightsregard-ingherprofession,MSLFopposedattemptsbytheStateofTexastodismisshercivilrightslawsuit.
n
FremontCounty,WyominglostitsappealbeforetheTenthCircuitintheculminationofaVotingRightsActlawsuitfiledbytheACLU.
n
MSLFurgedtheU.S.SupremeCourttoreversearulingbytheNinthCircuitthatArizonasS.B.1070,whichpermitsArizonatoaddresstheim-pactsofillegalimmigration,conflictswithfederallaw.
n
MSLF,whichprevailedattheU.S.SupremeCourtinalandmarkequalprotectioncase,urgedtheCourttooverturna2003rulingbytheCourtuponwhichtheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheFifthCircuitreliedtoallowtheUniversityofTexastograntadmis-sionbasedonrace.
n
OnbehalfoftheWyomingStockGrowersAssociationandthePetro-leumAssociationofWyoming,MSLFpresentedtestimonybeforeanIdahofederaldistrictcourtchallengingdemandsbyanenvironmentalgroupforsagegrouserelatedrestrictionsonfederallanduse.
n
MSLFsbriefchallengingtheauthor-ityoftheEnvironmentalProtection
AgencytoimposecapandtradeadministrativelywasbeforeafederalappealscourtduringoralargumentsinWashington,D.C.
n
OnbehalfofaPennsylvaniaenergyassociationandthenationsoldestfamilyownedoilandgascompany,MSLFurgedaPennsylvaniafederaldistrictcourttoissueapermanentrulingagainstasweetheartlawsuitsettlemententeredintobytheObamaAdministration.
n
AWyomingmanwhosetakingslawsuitwasdismissedontechnicalgroundsbytheU.S.CourtofFederalClaimsbriefedhisappeal.
n
MSLFreturnedtooneofitsearliestvictories,when,onbehalfofitselfandtwoWyominggroups,itwasgrantedtherighttoparticipateinafederallaw-suitdemandingthatthegovernmentmanagewildhorsesinWyoming.
n
OnbehalfoftheMontanaPetroleumAssociation,MSLFappearedbeforetheMontanaSupremeCourttopre-serveanearliervictoryoverenviron-mentalgroups.MSLFVicePresidentStevenJ.Lechnerarguedthecase.
Thanks for all you do in the grand battles for our
country.Michael B. enziu.s. senator WY
Im glad you folks are around!Robert H. Petersensusanville,
cA
Keep up the good work!col. john M. Butler, usMc-Ret.cedar Point,
Nc
You have been doing good work that no one else seems to care
about. Our gov-ernment seems to be running amok.Walter Wiebensilt,
cO
BIG HOORAY on your unanimous Colorado Supreme Court
victory!james D. santiniAlexandria, VA
Keep up the good work.Warren j. Adlerelmhurst, NY
Keep up the good work!Larry D. Goodmansouthampton, PA
Please keep up the good work.james D. tippettjoseph, OR
Congratulations on [the concealed carry] win!joy Iris
staveleyFlagstaff, AZ
God help all the wonderful things you do, and get more to help
you.sue R. simpsonMcFarland, WI
I hope you can help save the U.S.claude jungmanPremont, tX
Keep up the good work.carolyn VeachLebanon, IN
Thank you for what MSLF is doing for this country.ervin O.
schmidteverett, WA
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MSLF WINS FOR GUN RIGHTS AT COLORADO SUPREME COURT
AnationalgroupandthreeofitsColoradomemberswonaunanimousvictoryattheColoradoSupremeCourtwhentheCourtupheldtherulingoftheColo-radoCourtofAppealsthatthe2003ColoradoConcealedCarryAct(CCA)barstheUniversityofColorado(CU)BoardofRegentsfromregulatingtheuseofconcealedcarrypermitsoncampus.JusticeAllisonH.Eidwrote,WeholdthattheCCAscompre-hensivestatewidepurpose,broadlanguage,andnarrowexclusionsshowthattheGeneralAssemblyin-tendedtodivesttheBoardofRegentsofitsauthoritytoregulateconcealedhandgunpossessiononcampus.
StudentsforConcealedCarryonCampusandthreeColoradoans,allrepresentedbyMSLF,prevailedattheCourtofAppealsinApril2010,whenathree-judgepanelreversedanElPasoCountystatedistrictcourtsApril2009decisionandruledthattheCCAbarslocalrules,suchasthoseadoptedbyCU,thatconflictwiththeActandthatCUsbanonfirearmsinvehiclesforself-defenseisuncon-stitutional.InJune2010,theRegentsvoted5-4toappealtotheColoradoSupremeCourt;theirpetitionwasgrantedinOctober2010andwasarguedinJune2011.
AttorneyDavidB.KopeloftheIndependenceInstitute,whofiledafriendofthecourtbriefattheColoradoSupreme
CourtonbehalfoftheInstituteandtheCountySheriffsofColorado,said,Itisanespeciallyimpressiveaccomplish-mentfor...asmallpublicinterestlawfirmtowinaunanimousstateSu-premeCourtvictoryagainstaninstitu-tionwhoselargestcampus(Boulder)hasanannualbudgetofoverabilliondollars.
Amici
curiaebriefsinsupportofMSLFsclientswerefiledbytheNationalRifleAssociation,theRockyMountainGunOwners,andtheSecondAmendmentFoundation.TheBoardofRegentsreceivedamici
curiae
supportfromTheBradyCentertoPreventGunViolence,theColoradoCeasefireCapitolFund,andtheGreaterDenverMil-lionMomMarch.
ColoradosCCA,C.R.S.18-12-201,requiresanexten-sivebackgroundcheck.TheActhasonlyfourexceptionstotherighttocarry:locationsprohibitedbyfederallaw;K12schools;publicbuildingswithmetaldetectors;andprivatepropertywherenoticeisposted.
ThelawsuitreturnstoElPasoCountystatedistrictcourt.
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Denver, CO
Permit No. 847
MOUNTAIN
STATES
LEGAL
FOUNDATION
2596SouthLewisWay
Lakewood,Colorado80227
ADDRESSSERVICEREqUESTED
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
WilliamPerryPendley
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
StevenJ.Lechner
VICE PRESIDENTADMINISTRATION
JaniceK.Alvarado
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
StephenM.Brophy,AZ: Chairman
JohnR.Gibson,UT:Vice Chairman
FrankPriestley,ID;Secretary
PeterK.Ellison,UT;Treasurer
JohnJ.Blomstrom,WY
KarenKennedy,WY
RonKrump,NV
L.JeraldSheffels,WA
DonSparks,TX
