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 complete
Case Summary
This case challenged the Department of the Interior's plan to construct the National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park, alleging violation of land-use laws.
On June 15, 2026, the National Parks Conservation Association, six other nonprofit organizations, and a Washington, D.C. resident filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service (NPS). Plaintiffs challenged the government's decision to locate the National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park, alleging that the plan to construct approximately 250 statues, gardens, plazas, dining facilities, and an amphitheater would unlawfully replace historic parkland and recreational space. Plaintiffs alleged defendants adopted and began implementing the project without congressional authorization and without complying with the Commemorative Works Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Park Service Organic Act, the Act of March 3, 1897, and other federal requirements. They sought declaratory relief, vacatur of the West Potomac Plan, and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief barring further implementation of the project. The case was assigned to District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan.
As of July 2026, the case remains pending, and the court has issued no substantive rulings.
Summary Authors
Benjamin Glicksman (7/27/2026)
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/
Sullivan, Emmet G. (District of Columbia)
Carroll, Catherine (District of Columbia)
Swift, Alethea Anne (District of Columbia)
Thurston, Robin F. (District of Columbia)
Torcello, Michael (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73484222/national-parks-conservation-association-v-doug-burgum/
Last updated Sept. 9, 2026, 3:14 a.m.
Docket for: NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION v. DOUG BURGUM
Case Details
State / Territory:
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
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Seven nonprofit historic preservation and conservation organizations and one Washington, D.C., resident
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
National Parks Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-02103
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Environmental Justice and Resources:
Environmental Impact Statements
Case Summary of National Parks Conservation Association v. Burgum, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48298/ (last updated 7/27/2026).