No. 18-1584October Term 2019Decided Jun 15, 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
- 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.
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology