Utah District Court Opinion - Escalante Grand Staircase

In the United States District Court District of Utah-Central Division Utah Association of Counties, on behalf of its members Plaintiffs, vs. George W. Bush, in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al., Defendants. and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, et al., Defendants-Intervenors. AND Mountain States Legal Foundation, on behalf of its members Plaintiffs, vs. George W. Bush, in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al., Defendants. and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, et al., Defendants-Intervenors Opinion and Order Case No. 2:97CV0479 2:97CV0863 The present matter comes before the Court on defendants' Motion to Dismiss or in the alternative for Summary Judgment and plaintiffs' Motions for Summary Judgment. The motions were argued before the Court on January 15, 2004. The Court has considered the legal briefs and oral arguments of the respective parties and enters the following Opinion and Order.