Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

8:26-cv-02678 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: July 7, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

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

On July 7, 2026, a nonprofit organization filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Freedom of Information Act. The plaintiff sought records concerning NOAA's rulemaking to amend the 2008 North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction rule (which imposed seasonal 10-knot speed limits along the East Coast) which the agency announced it was considering repealing to reduce burdens on the shipping industry in March 2026. The plaintiff alleged that nearly five months after its initial FOIA request, NOAA had issued no lawful determination, had not responded to its administrative appeal, had failed to conduct an adequate search, and had produced no records. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief compelling disclosure, as well as attorney's fees and costs.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73581552/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alston, Seth Phillip (Maryland)

Diversity, Center for (Maryland)

Waltz, Daniel H (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alston, Seth Phillip (Maryland)

Diversity, Center for (Maryland)

Waltz, Daniel H (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 8:26-cv-02678	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	July 7, 2026	July 7, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73581552/center-for-biological-diversity-v-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric/

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:08 a.m.

Docket for: Center for Biological Diversity v. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	July 7, 2026	COMPLAINT against National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12869282.), filed by Center for Biological Diversity. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons NOAA, # 3 Summons US Attorney General, # 4 Summons US Attorney for D. Maryland)(Waltz, Daniel) (Entered: 07/07/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons NOAA View on PACER 3 Summons US Attorney General View on PACER 4 Summons US Attorney for D. Maryland View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	July 7, 2026	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Seth Phillip Alston (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12870875.) by Center for Biological Diversity(Waltz, Daniel) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
3	July 7, 2026	PAPERLESS ORDER granting 2 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Seth Phillip Alston. Directing attorney Seth Phillip Alston to register for pro hac vice filing in the District of Maryland through PACER at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ if attorney has not already done so. The Pro Hac Vice option must be selected when registering. Signed by Clerk on 7/7/2026. (mh4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
4	July 7, 2026	Summons Issued 60 days as to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons)(kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
5	July 7, 2026	NOTICE of Case Assignment. This case has been assigned to Magistrate Judge Charles D. Austin. Center for Biological Diversity or counsel for Center for Biological Diversity are required to review and comply with the Magistrate Judge Direct Assignment Procedures which can be downloaded here. Pursuant to Standing Order 2019-07, which can be downloaded here, counsel has 14 days from the date of this notice to file their consent, or decline to consent to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge which can be downloaded here. To file your consent, go to Civil > Other Filings > Other Documents > 25 Pct Mag - Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge. To file your declination, go to Civil > Other Filings > Other Documents > 25 Pct Mag - Decline to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge. Failure to file a consent or declination will result in issuance of an Order to Show Cause. Please review the case management order that has been issued in this case. Magistrate Election Form due by 7/21/2026. (kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
6	July 7, 2026	Magistrate Judge Direct Assignment Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Charles D. Austin on 7/7/2026. (kb3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
7	July 8, 2026	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Center for Biological Diversity (Waltz, Daniel) (Entered: 07/08/2026)	RECAP
	July 20, 2026	Case Reassigned to Judge Julie Rebecca Rubin. Magistrate Judge Charles D. Austin no longer assigned to the case. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk)
9	July 31, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Center for Biological Diversity. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration served on 7/20/2026, answer due 9/18/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service on US Attorney for D.Md., # 2 Proof of Service on US Attorney General)(Waltz, Daniel) (Entered: 07/31/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 7, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 8:26-cv-02678

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Center for Biological Diversity v. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48351/.