Opinion
3:23-cv-00058-SLG 3:23-cv-00061-SLG
06-06-2023
SOVEREIGN INUPIAT FOR A LIVING ARCTIC, et al., Plaintiffs, v. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, et al., Defendants, and CONOCOPHILLIPS ALASKA, INC., Intervenor-Defendant. CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, et al., Plaintiffs, v. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, et al., Defendants, and CONOCOPHILLIPS ALASKA, INC., et al., Intervenor-Defendants.
ORDER RE JOINT MOTION TO ADDRESS SCHEDULING
SHARON L. GLEASON UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Upon due consideration, the Joint Motion to Address Scheduling, at Docket 86 in Case No. 3:23-cv-00058-SLG and Docket 99 in Case No. 3:23-cv-00061-SLG, is hereby GRANTED. IT IS ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern further proceedings in these related cases:
1. Defendants file and serve the administrative records: June 29, 2023.
2. Plaintiffs identify concerns regarding sufficiency of the AR: July 7, 2023.
3. Defendants respond to AR concerns or supplement AR: July 14, 2023.
4. Plaintiffs file opening brief: July 26, 2023.
5. Defendants file response brief: August 23, 2023.
6. Intervenor-Defendants file response briefs: August 30, 2023.
7. Plaintiffs file reply brief: September 15, 2023.
The Court notes that this schedule modifies the deadline for filing of the administrative records, see Docket 84 in Case No. 3:23-cv-00058-SLG and Docket 94 in Case No. 3:23-cv-00061-SLG, and that Defendants shall now file the administrative records on or before June 29, 2023.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs' opening briefs shall be governed by the page/word limits for motions for summary judgment under Local Civil Rule 7.4. Plaintiffs shall endeavor to meet those limits but, if necessary, may file a motion seeking a modest increase in page/word limits. Defendants and IntervenorDefendants shall each be allowed to file a combined response brief that addresses the claims in both of the related cases, provided that all parties should coordinate and reasonably seek to avoid duplicative or unnecessary arguments. The Court will entertain reasonable requests for leave to file overlength briefs as may be necessary in responding (or replying) to briefs from multiple parties.
The Court acknowledges the parties' joint request for a ruling not later than November 10, 2023.
Finally, the Court orders that the parties shall address the potential remedy in their merits briefing, with the Court reserving the right to request supplemental briefing on the remedy if necessary.