Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
2:26-cv-00671 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Filed Date: March 2, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
Three environmental organizations—San Francisco Baykeeper, Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the River—filed this lawsuit on March 2, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other federal defendants. The plaintiffs alleged that the Bureau of Reclamation failed to comply with the 2024 Biological Opinion (BiOp) governing its operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP), one of the largest water infrastructure systems in the United States. Specifically, they claimed that Defendant exceeded incidental take limits for California Central Valley Steelhead and North American Green Sturgeon established in the 2024 BiOp, failed to implement mandatory protective measures when it exceeded loss thresholds for winter-run Chinook Salmon, and that Reclamation's recent implementation of "Action 5" operations would further increase harm to listed species. The complaint brought three claims under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for violations of Sections 7(a)(2) and 9, as well as failure to re-initiate consultation. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief requiring strict compliance with the 2024 BiOp and completion of consultation processes, along with costs and attorneys' fees.
The case was assigned to District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. On March 24, the court issued an order relating this case to 1:20-cv-00431-JLT-EPG and 1:20-cv-00426-JLT-EPG.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Ben Hefter (4/2/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72352718/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-bureau-of-reclamation/
Beck, Harrison (California)
Buescher, Eric J. (California)
Margolis, Jared (California)
Esposito, Elisabeth (California)
Loum, Mary (California)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72352718/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-bureau-of-reclamation/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:09 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 2, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Three environmental organizations
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of California 2:26-cv-00671
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources:
Environmental Impact Statements
Case Summary of Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/48008/ (last updated 4/2/2026).