Indian Coal Company Protected From Suit, So Groups’ Claims Fail, 9th Circuit Says

Mealey's (July 30, 2019, 3:20 PM EDT) -- PHOENIX — Tribal and conservation groups cannot challenge the federal government’s approvals of coal mining activities by an Indian company on Indian land because the company cannot be joined to the action as an indispensable party due to its sovereign immunity as an arm of the tribe, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals determined July 29 (Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, et al. v. Bureau of Indian Affairs, et al., No. 17-17320, 9th Cir., 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 22407)....