Case: National Parks Conservation Association v. Burgum

1:26-cv-02103 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: June 15, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case further). 

Seven nonprofit organizations and a D.C. resident sued the Department of the Interior and National Park Service on June 15, 2026, challenging the "West Potomac Plan" to build a National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park. Plaintiffs alleged the plan—replacing historic parkland with 250 statues, gardens, and an amphitheater—lacked congressional authorization and violated the Commemorative Works Act, NHPA, NEPA, and other statutes. They sought declaratory relief, vacatur, and an injunction.

 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73484222/parties/national-parks-conservation-association-v-doug-burgum/


Judge(s)

Sullivan, Emmet G. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Carroll, Catherine (District of Columbia)

Swift, Alethea Anne (District of Columbia)

Thurston, Robin F. (District of Columbia)

Torcello, Michael (District of Columbia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-02103

Complaint

National Parks Conservation Association et al. v. Burgum et al.

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73484222/national-parks-conservation-association-v-doug-burgum/

Last updated July 3, 2026, 3:07 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12487427) filed by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Olmsted Network, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, National Mall Coalition, Steve Longenecker, DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

6 Summons

View on PACER

7 Summons

View on PACER

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, Steve Longenecker, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, National Mall Coalition, Olmsted Network, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

3

SEALED DOCUMENT filed by Steve Longenecker(This document is SEALED and only available to authorized persons.)(Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

4

NOTICE of Appearance by Catherine Carroll on behalf of DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, Steve Longenecker, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, National Mall Coalition, Olmsted Network, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Carroll, Catherine) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

5

NOTICE of Appearance by Alethea Anne Swift on behalf of DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, Steve Longenecker, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, National Mall Coalition, Olmsted Network, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Swift, Alethea) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Robin F. Thurston on behalf of DC PRESERVATION LEAGUE, Steve Longenecker, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, National Mall Coalition, Olmsted Network, THE COMMITTEE OF 100 ON THE FEDERAL CITY, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Thurston, Robin) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

June 16, 2026

June 16, 2026

7

SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(gsk) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

June 16, 2026

June 16, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

June 16, 2026

June 16, 2026

Case Assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. (gsk)

June 16, 2026

June 16, 2026

8

STANDING ORDER: The parties are directed to read the attached Standing Order Governing Civil Cases Before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in its entirety upon receipt. The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives in the attached Standing Order. Signed by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on 06/22/26. (Attachment: # 1 Exhibit 1) (mac) (Entered: 06/22/2026)

June 22, 2026

June 22, 2026

9

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 6/17/2026. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/16/2026. (Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

10

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JESSICA BOWRON served on 6/17/2026; DOUG BURGUM served on 6/17/2026; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE served on 6/17/2026; UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR served on 6/17/2026 (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Bowron, # 2 Affidavit Burgum, # 3 Affidavit National Parks Service)(Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

11

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 6/22/2026. (Torcello, Michael) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 15, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-02103

Recommended Citation