Case: Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. United States Department of the Interior

2:25-cv-00657 | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Filed Date: Aug. 7, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2019 approval of nearly 125,000 acres for potash mining in Utah’s secluded West Desert, known as the Sevier Playa Potash (SPP) Project, along with the agency’s subsequent 2025 approval of a modified version of the SPP Project. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), a non-profit environmental membership organization dedicated to preserving wilderness and wild places in Utah, first filed suit in 2023, challenging the 2019 approval …

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), a non-profit environmental membership organization dedicated to preserving wilderness and wild places in Utah, first filed suit in 2023, challenging the 2019 approval of the SPP Project (S. Utah Wilderness All. v. U.S. Dep’t of the Interior, Case No. 2:23-cv-00492). The court dismissed that case without prejudice in 2024 after Peak Minerals, the company behind the potash mining plan, submitted an amended proposal to the BLM. In 2025, BLM approved the revised project through a Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA), concluding that the 2019 environmental analysis was still sufficient.

On August 7, 2025, SUWA filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah against BLM and its West Desert District Manager, and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. The plaintiffs alleged violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Represented by private counsel, SUWA sought declaratory and injunctive relief to set aside the approvals and halt the project. The case was assigned to Judge David Barlow.

In their complaint, SUWA alleged that BLM violated NEPA and the APA by failing to take the required "hard look" at the SPP Project's impact in the 2019 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), including effects on groundwater, migratory birds, air quality, and project's cumulative impacts. SUWA also claimed that BLM improperly relied on a DNA to approve the modified 2025 mining plan without conducting a new environmental review as allegedly required. The complaint further asserted that BLM ignored new scientific evidence submitted by SUWA, including a hydrogeologist’s report identifying flaws in the 2019 EIS groundwater analysis. Finally, SUWA argued that BLM’s reliance on the original, legally deficient EIS rendered the agency’s decision-making arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law under NEPA and the APA.

On October 6, 2025, the case was stayed pursuant to General Order 25-005. On November 19, 2025, the court issued an order stating that the stay was lifted, effective November 13, due to the full restoration of governmental funding.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Victoria Tan (8/10/2025)

Dahlia Gottlieb (12/4/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71051491/parties/southern-utah-wilderness-alliance-v-united-states-department-of-the/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bloch, Stephen H. (Utah)

Larsen, Hanna C. (Utah)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bloch, Stephen H. (Utah)

Larsen, Hanna C. (Utah)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:25-cv-00657	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Aug. 7, 2025	Aug. 7, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71051491/southern-utah-wilderness-alliance-v-united-states-department-of-the/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:41 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Aug. 7, 2025	COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against All Defendants (Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AUTDC-5512320) filed by Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - 2019 ROD, # 2 Exhibit 2 - 2019 EIS, # 3 Exhibit 3 - 2025 Mining Plan, # 4 Exhibit 4 - Peak Minerals Presentation, # 5 Exhibit 5 - 2025 Scoping Comments, # 6 Exhibit 6 - 2025 DNA, # 7 Exhibit 7 - 2025 DNA Letter, # 8 Exhibit 8 - 2025 DNA DR, # 9 Exhibit 9 - BLM NEPA Handbook, # 10 Civil Cover Sheet) (Larsen, Hanna) (Entered: 08/07/2025) 1 Exhibit 1 - 2019 ROD View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 2 - 2019 EIS View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 3 - 2025 Mining Plan View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 4 - Peak Minerals Presentation View on RECAP 5 Exhibit 5 - 2025 Scoping Comments View on RECAP 6 Exhibit 6 - 2025 DNA View on RECAP 7 Exhibit 7 - 2025 DNA Letter View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 8 - 2025 DNA DR View on RECAP 9 Exhibit 9 - BLM NEPA Handbook View on RECAP 10 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	Aug. 7, 2025	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under FRCP 7.1 filed by Plaintiff Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. (Larsen, Hanna) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
3	Aug. 7, 2025	Requested Summons as to All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 BLM Summons, # 2 Suess Summons, # 3 Gates Summons, # 4 AG Summons, # 5 USAO Summons)(Larsen, Hanna) (Entered: 08/07/2025) 1 BLM Summons View on RECAP 2 Suess Summons View on RECAP 3 Gates Summons View on RECAP 4 AG Summons View on RECAP 5 USAO Summons View on RECAP	RECAP
4	Aug. 7, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to United States Bureau of Land Management. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
5	Aug. 7, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to Michael D Gates. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
6	Aug. 7, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to Adam G Suess. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
7	Aug. 7, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to Pamela Bondi. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
8	Aug. 7, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to Felice John Viti, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Utahc/o Civil Process Clerk. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 7, 2025	Judge David Barlow added. Case number will now read 2:25-cv-00657-DBB. Please make changes to document captions accordingly. (kop)
9	Aug. 11, 2025	Summons Issued Electronically as to United States Department of the Interior. Instructions to Counsel: 1. Click on the document number. 2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF. 3. Print the issued summons for service. (kop)	RECAP
10	Sept. 9, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed. Filed by Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. Summons as to All Defendants. (Attachments: (1) Exhibit Certified Mail Receipts)(Larsen, Hanna) 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Receipts View on RECAP	RECAP
11	Sept. 30, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Shannon Boylan on behalf of Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior (Boylan, Shannon)	RECAP
12	Oct. 1, 2025	NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE. For the benefit of the public and the bar, the District of Utah offers judicial settlement conference as an alternative for dispute resolution assistance in all civil cases and bankruptcy adversary proceedings. The court offers this alternative because, when compared with litigation, it can resolve a dispute faster, at less expense, and with solutions that are better able to meet the parties' needs and interests. Parties may file a stipulated motion for judicial settlement conference. A form motion is available on the court's website. Notice e-mailed or mailed to Defendants Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior, Plaintiff Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. (alf)	RECAP
	Oct. 6, 2025	Case Stayed per General Order 25-005. (alf)
13	Oct. 7, 2025	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett under 28:636 (b)(1)(A), Magistrate Judge to hear and determine all nondispositive pretrial matters. No attached document. Signed by Judge David Barlow on 10/7/25. (he)	RECAP
	Oct. 7, 2025	Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge
14	Nov. 19, 2025	DOCKET TEXT ORDER LIFTING STAY-The stay imposed under General Order 25-005 is lifted as of November 13, 2025, because government funding has been restored. Signed by Judge David Barlow on 11/19/2025. No attached document(alf)	RECAP
	Nov. 19, 2025	Order Lifting Stay
15	Dec. 2, 2025	ANSWER to Complaint filed by Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior.(Boylan, Shannon)	RECAP
16	Dec. 16, 2025	Joint MOTION for Scheduling Order in an Administrative Case Under DUCivR 7-4 filed by Defendants Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. (Attachments: (1) Text of Proposed Order) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett.(Boylan, Shannon) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
17	Dec. 16, 2025	Modification of Docket re [16] MOTION for Scheduling Order : Error: The document should have been filed using the event "Motion for Amended Administrative Appeal Scheduling Order". Correction: Event type corrected, docket text modified and excess text removed to correct filing. No further action is needed. Filers are requested to review all event options and choose the most appropriate. (alf)	RECAP
18	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting [16] MOTION for Amended Administrative Appeal Scheduling Order : Plaintiff's Opening Brief due: 3/20/2026. Commissioner's Responsive Brief due: 5/8/2026. Plaintiffs Reply Brief due: 6/26/2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett on 12/17/2025. (alf)	RECAP
19	Jan. 22, 2026	NOTICE OF NONELECTRONIC FILING of Administrative Record filed by Defendants Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior (Attachments: (1) AR Index, (2) AR Certification) (Boylan, Shannon) 1 AR Index View on RECAP 2 AR Certification View on RECAP	RECAP
20	Jan. 23, 2026	MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support filed by Intervenor Peak Minerals, Inc.. (Attachments: (1) Exhibit Exhibit A - Declaration of Woods Silleroy, (2) Exhibit Exhibit B - Response of Intervenor - Defendant Peak Minerals, Inc., (3) Text of Proposed Order) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett. Attorney Shawn T. Welch added to party Peak Minerals, Inc.(pty:intv)(Welch, Shawn) 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - Declaration of Woods Silleroy View on RECAP 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - Response of Intervenor - Defendant Peak Minerals, Inc. View on RECAP 3 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
21	Jan. 26, 2026	Motions No Longer Referred: [20] MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support . District Judge David Barlow will handle the motion. (he)	RECAP
22	Jan. 26, 2026	ERRATA to [20] MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support filed by Intervenor Peak Minerals, Inc. . (Revelle, Andrew)	RECAP
23	Jan. 26, 2026	Amended MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support filed by Intervenor Peak Minerals, Inc.. (Attachments: (1) Exhibit A - Declaration of Woods Silleroy, (2) Exhibit B - Response of Intervenor-Defendant Peak Minerals, Inc., (3) Text of Proposed Order Exhibit C - Proposed Order Granting Motion to Intervene) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett. Attorney Andrew P. Revelle added to party Peak Minerals, Inc.(pty:intv)(Revelle, Andrew) 1 Exhibit A - Declaration of Woods Silleroy View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B - Response of Intervenor-Defendant Peak Minerals, Inc. View on RECAP 3 Text of Proposed Order Exhibit C - Proposed Order Granting Motion to Intervene View on RECAP	RECAP
26	Jan. 26, 2026	ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD received from United States Bureau of Land Management consisting of numerous PDF files and one Excel file on a single USB flash drive, filed by Defendants Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. The record is not uploaded to the docket due to size and inclusion of a non-PDF file type and the drive will be retained in a case file folder in the Clerk's Office while the case is active, and according to the retention schedule set forth by the Judicial Conference thereafter. (alt)	RECAP
24	Jan. 27, 2026	Motions No Longer Referred: [23] Amended MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support . District Judge David Barlow will handle the motion. (he)	RECAP
25	Feb. 6, 2026	Plaintiff's RESPONSE to Motion re [23] Amended MOTION to Intervene and Memorandum in Support filed by Plaintiff Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. (Larsen, Hanna)	RECAP
	Feb. 9, 2026	Modification of Docket re 20 MOTION to Intervene, 23 Amended MOTION to Intervene. Error: Filer incorrectly added party as "Intervenor" instead of as "Movant". Correction: As motion to intervene has not been granted, party role for has been corrected to "Movant". Party name has also been corrected to conform more closely with this court's "Standards and Guidelines for Adding Parties" (punctuation marks removed from name, "Peak Minerals Inc"). (alt)
27	Feb. 16, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Support re [23] Amended MOTION to Intervene filed by Movant Peak Minerals Inc. (Revelle, Andrew)	RECAP
28	Feb. 20, 2026	ORDER granting [23] Peak Mineralss Motion to Intervene. Signed by Judge David Barlow on 2/19/2026. (alf)	RECAP
29	March 20, 2026	Plaintiff's MOTION for Review of Agency Action and Memorandum in Support filed by Plaintiff Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. (Attachments: (1) Exhibit 1 - Bloxham Declaration) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett.(Larsen, Hanna) 1 Exhibit 1 - Bloxham Declaration View on RECAP	RECAP
30	March 20, 2026	Motion No Longer Referred to Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett: [29] Plaintiff's MOTION for Review of Agency Action. District Judge David Barlow will handle the motion. (jcd)	RECAP
31	April 1, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Luecke on behalf of Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior (Luecke, Daniel)	RECAP
32	April 1, 2026	Stipulated MOTION to Amend Administrative Appeal Scheduling Order filed by Defendants Michael D Gates, Adam G Suess, United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. (Attachments: (1) Text of Proposed Order) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett.(Luecke, Daniel) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
33	April 9, 2026	ORDER granting [32] Motion to Amend Administrative Appeal Scheduling Order: Federal Defendants response to the opening brief shall be due May 22, 2026. Intervenor-Defendants response to the opening brief shall be due June 1, 2026. Plaintiffs reply in support of its opening brief shall be due July 17, 2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett on 4/9/2026. (alf)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Utah

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Environmental Protections

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 7, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A non-profit environmental membership organization dedicated to the preservation of wilderness and wild places in Utah

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Department of the Interior

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f

Other Dockets:

District of Utah 2:25-cv-00657

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Environmental Justice and Resources:

Environmental Impact Statements

Groundwater

Threatened/endangered flora

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. United States Department of the Interior, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/46847/ (last updated 12/4/2025).