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As noted in the previous post (see post here), five individuals filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on July 18th addressing what they describe as construction involving the widening of Interstate Highway 630 (“I-630 Project”) within the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. See Wise, et al. v. United States Department of Transportation, et al., 4:18cv 466-BRW.
The Defendants include:
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United States Department of Transportation
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Federal Highway Administration
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Arkansas State Department of Transportation
The two pleadings filed include:
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Complaint for Declaratory Judgment, for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief (“Complaint”)
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Motion for Temporary Restraining Order
Plaintiffs contend that the commencement of construction of the I-630 Project is being undertaken without complying with the requirements of the:
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National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”)
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Department of Transportation Act
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Federal-Aid Highway Act
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The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act of 2005
United States District Judge J.M. Moody, Jr., denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) in a July 27th 10-page Order.
Judge Moody’s Order addresses:
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Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals standard review (referencing four factors to weigh for injunctive relief)
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Likelihood of success
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Arkansas Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) (rejecting argument that the NEPA categorical exclusion expired)
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Categorical Exclusion Criteria (concluding categorical exclusion is applicable because Plaintiffs failed to establish any part of the I-630 Project construction would go outside of the existing operational right-of-way)
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Mobile Source Air Toxic (“MSAT”) Analysis (I-630 Project did not require an MSAT analysis)
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Irreparable Harm (concluding Plaintiffs failed to demonstrate they will likely suffer irreparable harm if the I-630 Project continues)
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Balance of Harms (Arkansas Department of Transportation’s potential monetary liability “tips the balance” in favor of the Defendants”)
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Public Interest (Accepting Defendants’ argument that the I-630 Project benefits the public by reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and improving the quality of life, etc.)
A copy of the Order can be found here.
