See You in Court

Cue the lawyers!

The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series (PTTS) have gone to court in an attempt to silence Save The Tarpon, Inc. and its more than 20,000 members and supporters.

Silver King Entertainment, Inc., which operates the PTTS, is seeking an emergency injunction against the organization in a 235 page civil complaint filed April 29 in Sarasota County Circuit Court. In addition to the injunction aimed at restraining Save The Tarpon, Inc. and its board members from speaking out on issues concerning the PTTS and the Boca Grande tarpon fishery, Silver King Entertainment, Inc. is seeking unspecified damages from the non-profit advocacy group and selected members of its board of directors.

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Here Comes the Judge

On Feb. 19 the Native Fish Society and The McKenzie Flyfishers filed a request in Oregon’s U.S. District Court asking for a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction that forbids the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife from setting hatchery smolts free in the Sandy or its tributaries this spring.

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The state of Oregon NOAA Fisheries, joined by three sport fishing organizations, say that the operation of northwest Oregon’s Sandy Hatchery under newly approved federal guidelines is legal and does not jeopardize wild salmon and steelhead protected under the Endangered Act.

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It all goes in front of the judge on Wednesday.

Who are the three sportfishing groups going to bat for hatchery fish along with the state and the feds?

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders

The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association

The Northwest Guide's and Anglers Association.

The case has become the latest in a series of attempts to overturn the state’s stream access law

Conservative property rights groups and conservation organizations have become involved in the bitter, eight-year legal fight over access to Montana streams from bridges.

Two conservative groups – the United Property Owners of Montana and the Political Economy Research Center – have filed friend of the court briefs in the case between a sportsmen’s group and Madison County. In addition, Montana Trout Unlimited has entered the fray on the other side to support the Public Lands Access Association in the case.

LINK (via:The Missoulian)

Wild and Scenic?

See you in court.

In an amended complaint, Idaho Rivers United has added the Federal Highway Administration to its suit against the U.S. Forest Service for allowing the Idaho Transportation Department to issue mega-load permits.

LINK (Via: The Boise Weekly)