Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum
1:26-cv-00405 | U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
Filed Date: July 30, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) promulgation of the Critical Habitat Exclusion Rule, which plaintiffs alleged unlawfully restricts the Service’s discretion under § 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and makes it easier for economic and other interests to obtain exclusions of habitat essential to threatened and endangered species from critical-habitat designations.
On July 30, 2026, the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, Defenders of Wildlife, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, and Save the Manatee Club, represented by Earth Justice, filed this lawsuit against the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i. Under the rule, “credible information” of a relevant impact triggers an exclusion analysis, and the Service must credit that information unless rebutted and exclude the area if the benefits of exclusion outweigh those of designation. The plaintiffs alleged that the rule was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and otherwise not in accordance with law. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the rule violated the ESA and that the Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to properly analyze the rule’s environmental impacts, the Service’s regulations implementing NEPA, and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Plaintiffs sought declaratory relief to invalidate the rule, vacatur of the rule, and restoration of the prior framework, injunctive relief to prohibit the Service from applying or relying on the rule, and attorney’s fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Derrick K. Watson.
As of September 10, 2026, this case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Cristina Gonzalez (9/10/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73694879/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-burgum/
Boyles, Kristen L. (Hawaii)
Broyles, Harley M. (Hawaii)
Forsyth, Elizabeth B. (Hawaii)
Manning, Joseph M (Hawaii)
Brocker, Peter W. (Hawaii)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Resources
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73694879/center-for-biological-diversity-v-burgum/
Last updated Sept. 27, 2026, 3:09 a.m.
Docket for: Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 30, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Environmental organizations including the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, Defenders of Wildlife, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, and Save the Manatee Club.
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
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f
Other Dockets:
District of Hawaii 1:26-cv-00405
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 Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48381/ (last updated 9/10/2026).