FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ENR MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1995 (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 SUPREME COURT DENIES UNITED STATES APPEAL WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Supreme Court today denied a request from the United States to review an important environmental case, Thomas v. Pacific Rivers Council, involving federal management of lands under the Endangered Species Act. The United States had sought the High Court's review fearing that an adverse lower court ruling would have the effect of halting all economic activities, such as grazing and timber sales, on public lands. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision from last July now stands. "We are clearly disappointed by the Court's decision," said Lois Schiffer, the Department of Justice's Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. "However, we remain committed to removing impediments to economic activities on public lands in cases where such activities are consistent with our commitment to protecting endangered species. We are actively examining ways to do just that under current law." The suit was first filed in 1994 by several environmental groups, led by the Sierra Club. They believe that the Endangered Species Act requires the Forest Service to consult with other federal agencies each time an endangered species is listed. A number of federal agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Agriculture and Interior, are working on a new plan to implement the Endangered Species Act. The plan will be announced soon with a goal of balancing economic development consistent with a sustainable economy with species protection. Congress recently enacted a provision that prohibits the Department of Interior from using any of its funding to list any new endangered species for the remainder of this fiscal year. The impact of the Supreme Courts' action would like be minimal during this period. # # # 95-235