Newton County Wildlife Association v. United States Forest Service

Congress designated six river segments within the Ozark National Forest as components of the federal wild-and-scenic-rivers system in 1992, requiring the Forest Service (defendant) to complete a comprehensive management plan for each segment by September 30, 1995. The Forest Service missed that deadline but approved four timber sales within the forest before it passed. The Newton County Wildlife Association, the Sierra Club, and other plaintiffs sued to enjoin the sales, arguing they violated the Act because they preceded completion of the required plans, and the district court found the plans could properly reach areas outside the designated segments if those areas could affect the river values, but declined to enjoin the sales, prompting the plaintiffs' appeal.