Case: City of Salem v. United States of America

6:26-cv-01381 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: July 8, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary as we research the case).

On July 8, 2026, the City of Salem, Oregon filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene Division, against the United States and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.The Corps had approved plans to draw Detroit Reservoir down to a historically low level each year to help threatened salmon and steelhead migrate downstream. The City of Salem alleged that stirring up reservoir sediment would sharply raise turbidity in the North Santiam River, which was the drinking water source for roughly 220,000 people, and noted that the North Santiam River's sand filtration plant was not built to treat cloudy water. The city claimed the Corps' final environmental impact statement violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it never analyzed effects on downstream water systems, ignored alternatives, failed to respond to its comments, and went forward without a Congressionally required report.  

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73588855/parties/city-of-salem-v-united-states-of-america/


Judge(s)

Kasubhai, Mustafa (Oregon)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Carrioni, Veronica Muriel (Oregon)

Jamin, Olivier (Oregon)

Kono, Kevin H. (Oregon)

Attorney for Defendant

Cerritos, Ashley M. (Oregon)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

6:26-cv-01381

Complaint

City of Salem v. United States of America et al.

July 8, 2026

July 8, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73588855/city-of-salem-v-united-states-of-america/

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:07 a.m.

Docket for: City of Salem v. United States of America
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 8, 2026

Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $405 collected. Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10328928 Jury Trial Requested: No. Filed by City of Salem against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons, # 3 Proposed Summons). (Jamin, Olivier) (Entered: 07/08/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Summons

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3 Proposed Summons

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
2 July 8, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai and Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order. NOTICE: The filing party shall print and serve this Order, the summonses, and all other documents issued by the Clerk at case initiation upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5(c). Discovery is to be completed by 11/5/2026. Joint Alternate Dispute Resolution Report is due by 12/7/2026. Pretrial Order is due by 12/7/2026. Ordered by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (le) (Entered: 07/08/2026)

RECAP
4 July 8, 2026

Summons Issued Electronically as to United States of America. NOTICE: The filing party shall print and serve the summonses and all other documents issued by the Clerk at the time of case initiation upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5(c). (le) Modified on 7/17/2026 to correct filing date. (le) NEF Regenerated. (le) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

RECAP
5 July 8, 2026

Summons Issued Electronically as to United States Army Corps of Engineers. NOTICE: The filing party shall print and serve the summonses and all other documents issued by the Clerk at the time of case initiation upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5(c). (le) Modified on 7/17/2026 to correct filing date. NEF Regenerated. (le) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

RECAP
3 July 9, 2026

Case Management Order signed on 07/09/2026 by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (bd) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

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6 July 10, 2026

Affidavit of Service upon United States of America served on 7/10/2026, answer due on 7/31/2026 Filed by City of Salem. (Jamin, Olivier) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

RECAP
7 July 10, 2026

Affidavit of Service upon United States Army Corps of Engineers served on 7/10/2026, answer due on 7/31/2026 Filed by City of Salem. (Jamin, Olivier) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

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8 July 16, 2026

Notice of Appearance of Ashley M. Cerritos. Filed by United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States of America. (Cerritos, Ashley) (Entered: 07/16/2026)

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9 July 30, 2026

Unopposed Motion to Intervene . Lauren Rule,Lauren Rule,Elizabeth Hunter Potter for Northwest Environmental Defense Center,Lauren Rule,Elizabeth Hunter Potter for Native Fish Society. Filed by Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Native Fish Society. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Document Proposed Answer) (Rule, Lauren) (Entered: 07/30/2026)

1 Proposed Document Proposed Answer

View on PACER

RECAP
10 July 30, 2026

Declaration of Jennifer Fairbrother . Filed by Native Fish Society, Northwest Environmental Defense Center. (Related document(s): Motion to intervene, 9 .) (Rule, Lauren) (Entered: 07/30/2026)

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11 July 30, 2026

Declaration of Karl Anuta . Filed by Native Fish Society, Northwest Environmental Defense Center. (Related document(s): Motion to intervene, 9 .) (Rule, Lauren) (Entered: 07/30/2026)

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12 July 31, 2026

Unopposed Motion to Consolidate . Filed by United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States of America. (Cerritos, Ashley) (Entered: 07/31/2026)

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13 Aug. 11, 2026

Notice of Case Reassignment: This case has been reassigned from Judge Michael J. McShane to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MC, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (cw) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

RECAP
14 Aug. 11, 2026

Notice of Correction by Clerk regarding (26 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK) Exhibits. A Clerical error has been discovered in the case record: The filing was missing a case caption cover page. The following corrections were made to the record: A corrected PDF has been uploaded to replace the incorrect one. The Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) will be regenerated to all parties.. Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (cw) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

RECAP
15 Aug. 11, 2026

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Northwest Environmental Defense Center and Native Fish Society's Unopposed Motion to Intervene (ECF No. 9 ) is GRANTED pursuant to Rule 24(a)(2), as the Court finds that the motion is timely, that the proposed Defendant-Intervenors have a significant protectable interest in this action, that the interest may be impaired by the litigation, and that the existing parties do not adequately represent their interests. (bd) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

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16 Aug. 11, 2026

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Consolidate (ECF No. 12 ) is GRANTED pursuant to Rule 42(a). Case number 6:26-cv-00956-MTK is deemed the lead case and is consolidated with trailing case number 6:26-cv-01381-MTK. Counsel shall adhere to Local Rule 42-4 "Document Caption Requirements After Consolidation" when submitting future pleadings in this matter. (bd) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

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17 Aug. 11, 2026

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: The Joint Motion for Status Conference (ECF No. 17 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK) is GRANTED. These matters are set for a telephonic status conference on August 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM to address next steps following consolidation, including briefing deadlines and hearing scheduling for pending and anticipated motions. The parties are ordered to confer and submit a joint status report providing the parties' proposed briefing and hearing schedule (if agreed) or schedules (if conflicting) by August 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. (Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK.) (bd) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

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18 Aug. 11, 2026

SCHEDULING ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: The Status Conference set for 8/14/2026 is RESET for 8/18/2026 at 09:30AM in Eugene by telephone before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. The conference call information remains as previously provided. The joint status report is now due by August 14, 2026, at 5:00PM. (Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK) (bd) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

RECAP
Aug. 11, 2026

Correction of the Record

Aug. 11, 2026

1 - Scheduling

Aug. 11, 2026

Order on Motion to Consolidate

Aug. 11, 2026

Order on Motion to Intervene

19 Aug. 13, 2026

Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Intervene ( 13 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK). Filed by Marion County.Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Elzinga, Stephen) Modified on 8/14/2026 to fix document link. (bd) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

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20 Aug. 13, 2026

Declaration of Stephen Elzinga in Support of Plaintiff Marion County's Opposition to Northwest Environmental and Native Fish Society's Motion to Intervene as Defendant-Intervenors. Filed by Marion County. (Related document(s): Memorandum in Opposition( 35 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 19 in 6:26-cv-01381-MTK).) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit 5)Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Elzinga, Stephen) Modified on 8/14/2026 to fix document link. (bd) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

RECAP
21 Aug. 14, 2026

Joint Status Report by United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States of America, Daniel P. Driscoll, William H. Graham, Jr, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers. Filed by United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States of America, Daniel P. Driscoll, William H. Graham, Jr, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers. Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Cerritos, Ashley) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

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22 Aug. 14, 2026

Motion to Intervene . Oral Argument requested. Filed by Santiam Water Control District. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Sondag, Samantha) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

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23 Aug. 14, 2026

Declaration of Brent Stevenson . Filed by Santiam Water Control District. (Related document(s): Motion to intervene(22 in 6:26-cv-01381-MTK).) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4)Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Sondag, Samantha) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

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24 Aug. 14, 2026

Corrected Exhibits re Motion to Intervene (22 in 6:26-cv-01381-MTK). Filed by Santiam Water Control District. Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Sondag, Samantha) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

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25 Aug. 14, 2026

Motion to Intervene . Jennifer L. Gates for City of Stayton,Heather Doherty,Jennifer L. Gates. Filed by City of Stayton. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Document Proposed Complaint - 6:26-cv-00956, # 2 Proposed Document Proposed Complaint - 6:26-cv-01381, # 3 Attachment Declaration)Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Doherty, Heather) (Entered: 08/14/2026)

RECAP
26 Aug. 18, 2026

MINUTES of Proceedings: Telephonic Status Conference held before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. Environmental Defense Center and Native Fish Society's Motion to Intervene (ECF No. 13 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK), Santiam Water Control District's Motion to Intervene (ECF No. 38 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK; ECF No. 22 in 6:26-cv-01381-MTK), and City of Stayton's Motion to Intervene (ECF No. 41 in 6:26-cv-00956-MTK; ECF No. 25 in 6:26-cv-01381-MTK) are GRANTED pursuant to Rule 24(a)(2), as the Court finds that the motions are timely, that each of the proposed Intervenors have significant protectable interests in this action, that the interests may be impaired by the litigation, and that the existing parties do not adequately represent their interests. Plaintiff City of Salem's Motion for Preliminary Injunction is due 8/21/2026. Plaintiff-Intervenors' Motions to Join Plaintiffs' Motions for Preliminary Injunction (and any supplemental declarations in support) are due 8/26/2026. Defendants' and Defendant-Intervenors' Responses to the Motions for Preliminary Injunction are due 9/18/2026. Plaintiffs' Replies in Support of the Motions for Preliminary Injunction are due 10/2/2026. Oral Argument on the Motions for Preliminary Injunction will take place 10/6/2026 at 9:00AM in Eugene, Oregon Courtroom 1 before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss is due 10/15/2026. Plaintiffs' and Plaintiff-Intervenors' Responses to the Motion to Dismiss are due 11/12/2026. Defendants' Reply in Support of their Motion to Dismiss is due 12/3/2026. In response to questions regarding how to appropriately file documents in these consolidated cases, the Court directs the parties to review Local Rule 42-4(b). Stephen Elzinga present as counsel for plaintiff Marion County; Kevin H. Kono and Veronica Muriel Carrioni present as counsel for plaintiff City of Salem; Jennifer Gates present as counsel for intervenor plaintiff City of Stayton; Samantha Sondag present as counsel for intervenor plaintiff Santiam Water Control District; Ashley Cerritos and Mario Alfonso Luna present as counsel for defendant U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Daniel P. Driscoll, William H. Graham, Jr. and United States of America; Lauren Rule present as counsel for intervenor defendants Northwest Environmental Defense Center and Native Fish Society. (Court Reporter: Lindsey Weresch.) Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK. (bd) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

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27 Aug. 18, 2026

Notice of Appearance for Jennifer L. Gates. Filed by City of Stayton.Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Gates, Jennifer) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

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28 Aug. 18, 2026

Notice of Appearance for Heather C. Doherty. Filed by City of Stayton.Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (Gates, Jennifer) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

RECAP
Aug. 18, 2026

9CONV - Schedules - Set/Reset/Terminate AND Order on Motion to Intervene AND Order on Motion to Intervene AND Order on Motion to Intervene AND Status Conference

29 Aug. 20, 2026

A duplicate payment in the amount of $405.00 was submitted by City of Stayton in the above-referenced case. For information on refund procedures, visit Requesting a Refund of Electronically Paid Fees on the Court's website. Refund Request is Due 8/31/2026. Associated Cases: 6:26-cv-00956-MTK, 6:26-cv-01381-MTK (lp) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

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30 Aug. 20, 2026

Intervenor Complaint . Filed by City of Stayton against United States Army Corps of Engineers. (Gates, Jennifer) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

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31 Aug. 20, 2026

Intervenor Complaint . Filed by Santiam Water Control District against All Defendants. (Sondag, Samantha) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

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Aug. 20, 2026

Refund Request Due

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oregon

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 8, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 6:26-cv-01381

Recommended Citation