Case: National Parks Conservation Association v. Department of the Interior

National Parks Conservation Association v. U.S. Department of the Interior

COMPLAINT against Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Doug Burgum, Jessica Bowron Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11552572 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Category Form

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MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brooke Menschel Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11552983 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Brooke Menschel)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Michael J. Torcello Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553070 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Michael J. Torcello)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Pablo A. Moraga Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553090 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Pablo A. Moraga)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Steven Y. Bressler Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553113 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Steven Y. Bressler)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Robin F. Thurston Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11553126 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Robin F. Thurston)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge Angel Kelley assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. Standing Order Regarding Motion Practice. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 2 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brooke Menschel. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Michael J. Torcello. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Pablo A. Moraga. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Steven Y. Bressler. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Robin F. Thurston. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Steven Y. Bressler on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Bressler, Steven) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (MAL) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Notice of Case Assignment

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

NOTICE of Appearance by Brooke Menschel on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Thurston, Robin) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Pablo Moraga on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Moraga, Pablo) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Torcello on behalf of American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists (Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. All Defendants. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union of Concerned Scientists, Association of National Park Rangers, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/03/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Ian Swenson on behalf of Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service (Swenson, Ian) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages and for Briefing Schedule by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

AMENDED COMPLAINT against Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Doug Burgum, Jessica Bowron, filed by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists.(Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 705 by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Exhibit 1 (Management Policies), # 4 Exhibit 2 (Director's Order #6), # 5 Exhibit 3 (Declaration of Alan Spears), # 6 Exhibit 4 (Declaration of Cybelle Jones), # 7 Exhibit 5 (Declaration of Donna Graves), # 8 Exhibit 6 (Declaration of Jennifer Goepfert), # 9 Exhibit 7 (Declaration of John Dichtl), # 10 Exhibit 8 (Declaration of Bill Wade), # 11 Exhibit 9 (Declaration of Emily Thompson), # 12 Exhibit 10 (Declaration of Julian Jon Reyes))(Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Text of Proposed Order

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3 Exhibit 1 (Management Policies)

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4 Exhibit 2 (Director's Order #6)

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5 Exhibit 3 (Declaration of Alan Spears)

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6 Exhibit 4 (Declaration of Cybelle Jones)

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7 Exhibit 5 (Declaration of Donna Graves)

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8 Exhibit 6 (Declaration of Jennifer Goepfert)

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9 Exhibit 7 (Declaration of John Dichtl)

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10 Exhibit 8 (Declaration of Bill Wade)

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11 Exhibit 9 (Declaration of Emily Thompson)

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12 Exhibit 10 (Declaration of Julian Jon Reyes)

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District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING the Parties’ 27 Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages and for Briefing Schedule. The Court ADOPTS the Parties’ proposed page limits and briefing schedule, with minor modifications, as follows:-Plaintiffs’ motion for a stay pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 705 or preliminary injunction shall not exceed 35 pages;-Defendants’ combined opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion, and their motion to dismiss, shall not exceed 35 pages, and shall be filed no later than 21 days after the filing of Plaintiffs’ motion;-Plaintiffs’ combined reply in support of their motion and opposition to Defendants’ motion shall not exceed 20 pages and shall be filed no later than 14 days after the filing of Defendants opposition; and-Defendants’ reply in support of their motion shall not exceed 20 pages and shall be filed no later than 14 days after the filing of Plaintiffs’ reply. (CEH) (Entered: 03/19/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

First MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Bowron Declaration, # 4 Executive Order 14253, # 5 Secretary's Order 3431, # 6 SEGD 2025 Strategic Plan)(Swenson, Ian) (Entered: 04/08/2026)

1 Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunctio

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2 Proposed Order

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3 Bowron Declaration

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4 Executive Order 14253

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5 Secretary's Order 3431

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6 SEGD 2025 Strategic Plan

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ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing. A Status Conference has been set for 5/12/2026 03:00 PM in Courtroom 8 (Remote only) before District Judge Angel Kelley. This hearing will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the courtroom deputy of the session as soon as possible.Audio access to the hearing may be available to the media and public. Please check the Court schedule. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html.For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact the session here.(MS) (Entered: 04/13/2026)

Notice of Hearing

REPLY to Response to 29 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 705, 31 First MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint filed by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 04/22/2026)

REPLY to Response to 31 First MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint filed by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit)(Swenson, Ian) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Exhibit

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Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before District Judge Angel Kelley: Status Conference held on 5/12/2026 by video conference.The Court discussed next steps with the parties and set a tentative motion hearing date for June 26, 2026. Motion Hearing set for 6/26/2026 11:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (In person only) before District Judge Angel Kelley. (Court Reporter: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Swenson, Menschel) (MAL) (Entered: 05/12/2026)

Status Conference AND ~Util - Set Hearings

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Having conferred with the Parties during a Status Conference on May 12, 2026, the Court has determined to decide Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Dkt. 31 on the papers. The Motion is hereby TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. Should a future hearing on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Stay Dkt. 29 be necessary, the Court will proceed on the currently scheduled hearing date of June 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM. [See Dkt. 35].(CEH) (Entered: 05/13/2026)

Order

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' Dkt. 31 Motion to Dismiss is DENIED. (CEH) (Entered: 06/04/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. The Court, having reviewed and become familiar with the facts and legal arguments presented in this action following its disposition of Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss [Dkt. 37], and having conferred with the parties, who have indicated no objection, has determined to decide Plaintiffs’ Motion for Stay, or, in the Alternative, Preliminary Injunction [Dkt. 29] on the papers, in the interest of expeditious resolution. The motion hearing currently set for June 26, 2026, is CANCELLED, and the Motion is TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT.(CEH) (Entered: 06/04/2026)

ELECTRONIC NOTICE CANCELLING HEARING. Motion Hearing set for 6/26/2026 11:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (In person only) before District Judge Angel Kelley is CANCELLED. (CEH) (Entered: 06/04/2026)

NOTICE by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists of Factual Development (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 06/04/2026)

Notice Cancelling Hearing

Order

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. Plaintiffs' 29 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 705 is GRANTED. (CEH) (Entered: 06/12/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Romney Philpott on behalf of Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service (Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 37 Memorandum & ORDER, 41 Memorandum & ORDER,,,, by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Fee Status: US Government. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: A Transcript Report/Order Form, which can be downloaded from the First Circuit Court of Appeals web site at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov MUST be completed and submitted to the Court of Appeals. Counsel shall register for a First Circuit CM/ECF Appellate Filer Account at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/cmecf. Counsel shall also review the First Circuit requirements for electronic filing by visiting the CM/ECF Information section at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cmecf. US District Court Clerk to deliver official record to Court of Appeals by 7/6/2026. (Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

MOTION to Stay Pending Appeal on Expedited Basis by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 1: 2d Bowron Decl)(Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support of Motion

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2 Exhibit Exhibit 1: 2d Bowron Decl

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District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Before the Court is Defendants' Expedited Motion for Stay Pending Appeal. [Dkt. 44]. If Plaintiffs intend to file a response to the Motion, they are directed to do so by June 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.(CEH) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

Certified and Transmitted Abbreviated Electronic Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals re 43 Notice of Appeal (CEH) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. For the foregoing reasons, Defendants are DIRECTED to file by noon (12:00 PM) EST on June 17, 2026:-An inventory of each item removed, including (1) the reason(s) for removal; (2) the item’s medium (i.e., poster, paper, film, etc.); (3) the item’s current location, and if it has been moved or is in storage; (4) the item’s condition, including if the item has been damaged or destroyed; and (5) if the item has been destroyed, the expected process necessary for re-fabrication, such as reprinting as opposed to requiring an outside vendor.-What actions, if any, Defendants have taken to-date to comply with the Court’s June 12, 2026, Order. This deadline aligns with the directive in the Court’s Order for Stay that Defendants provide an initial status report within five calendar days.Defendants’ Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal [Dkt. 44] is otherwise taken under advisement pending receipt of the requested information.(CEH) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

Order

Opposition re 44 MOTION to Stay Pending Appeal on Expedited Basis filed by American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, Union of Concerned Scientists. (Menschel, Brooke) (Entered: 06/17/2026)

STATUS REPORT by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit)(Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/17/2026)

1 Affidavit

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2 Exhibit

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USCA Case Number 26-1714 for 43 Notice of Appeal, filed by Jessica Bowron, Department of the Interior, Doug Burgum, National Park Service. (CEH) (Entered: 06/17/2026)

USCA Case Number

District Judge Angel Kelley: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. Defendants’ [Dkt. 44] Motion for Stay Pending Appeal is DENIED. Defendants are further DIRECTED to ensure that when the exhibits are reinstalled, they remain available and visible to the public, subject to lawful changes or modifications. Defendants may seek limited extensions or exemptions from the Injunction Order, as needed, for specific interpretive material that have already been destroyed or damaged. (CEH) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

Assented to MOTION for Extension of Time to June 25, 2026 to File Answer by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

District Judge Angel Kelley: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 52 Assented to MOTION for Extension of Time to June 25, 2026 to File Answer (CEH) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

STATUS REPORT by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Administrative Stay)(Swenson, Ian) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

1 Exhibit Administrative Stay

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ANSWER to 28 Amended Complaint, by Jessica Bowron, Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior, National Park Service.(Philpott, Romney) (Entered: 06/25/2026)

USCA Order