Center for Biological Diversity v. United States Department of Agriculture
626 F.3d 1113
9th Cir.2010Background
- USDA's Wildlife Services program operates under APHIS to reduce depredations by Mexican wolves and other predators.
- WS cooperators (ranchers) provide land access and depredation information to WS to remove wolves.
- Center for Biological Diversity and allies FOIA-request GPS coordinates of wolf depredations to evaluate WS program.
- APHIS disclosed city/state of depredations but withheld exact GPS coordinates under Exemption 6 for privacy.
- District court granted summary judgment for Center, concluding Exemption 6 and 3 did not apply; held §8791 retroactive issues inapplicable.
- USDA appeals, arguing §8791 Exemption 3 applies and retroactivity issues favor applicability.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether §8791 satisfies Exemption 3 for GPS data | Center contends GPS data are exempt under §8791 as geospatial information. | USDA argues §8791 meets Exemption 3 requirements and applies here. | Yes; §8791 satisfies Exemption 3 and applies. |
| Whether GPS coordinates fall within §8791's scope | Center argues coordinates are within geospatial information about agricultural operations. | USDA argues coordinates pertain to ranchers' depredation data linked to WS program. | GPS data fall within §8791's scope and are protected. |
| Whether §8791 can be applied retroactively to a pending FOIA case | Center contends no retroactive effect barring §8791's application to this suit. | USDA argues Landgraf framework allows retroactive application only with express directive or no impermissible effect. | Section 8791 applies notwithstanding its post-dating effective date; no impermissible retroactive effect. |
Key Cases Cited
- Landgraf v. USI Film Prods., 511 U.S. 244 (1994) (two-step retroactivity framework for new statutes)
- Southwest Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 314 F.3d 1060 (9th Cir. 2002) (no impermissible retroactive effect when statute affects prospective relief in pending case)
- Martin v. Hadix, 527 U.S. 343 (1999) (applies Landgraf framework; statutory language may be inconclusive on retroactivity)
- Multi Ag Med. LLC v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 515 F.3d 1224 (D.C. Cir. 2008) (discusses GPS data and disclosure context affecting FOIA exemptions)