Paul Weiland, Nossaman Environment and Land Use Chair, Highlighted In Daily Journal For Win Against US Forest Service

Paul Weiland, the Chair of Nossaman’s Environment and Land Use Practice Group, was featured in the Daily Journal story, Frog-Endangering Tree-Cutting Project Croaks.  The piece provides an overview of Mr. Weiland’s recent success for his client, Dr. Dennis Murphy, in a lawsuit he filed against the U.S. Forest Service regarding a tree-removal  project in the Upper Echo Lake area south of Lake Tahoe.  The project, which sought to cut, pile, and burn trees and brush in the area, threatened the habitat of the endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog.  In its recent settlement with Dr. Murphy, the Forest Service agreed to abandon the project, pay $150,000 in attorney fees and costs, and abide by certain protections before removing and burning trees in the area.  In the story, Mr. Weiland reflected on the favorable settlement by saying, We are pleased that after the court denied the Forest Service’s second motion to dismiss, the agency finally came to the negotiating table to work out a settlement.