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No. 18-1584October Term 2019Decided Jun 15, 2020

Docket 18-1584October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

United States Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Assn.

This case was about whether the U.S.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 15, 2020
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJun 15, 2020
What it's about

This case was about whether the U.S. Forest Service could allow the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to pass beneath the Appalachian Trail where the trail crosses national forest land in Virginia. The dispute turned on whether land crossed by the Appalachian Trail becomes part of the National Park System, which would block the pipeline right-of-way under the Mineral Leasing Act.

Question presented

Whether the Forest Service has authority to grant rights-of-way under the Mineral Leasing Act through lands traversed by the Appalachian Trail within national forests.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Decision released Jun 15, 2020

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Timing

Decided June 15, 2020

The Court released its decision on June 15, 2020 without hearing oral argument.