Federal Court Rules Forest Service Broke Law Allowing Off-Road Events in Coastal Marten Habitat

Federal court ruled Forest Service violated laws permitting off-road events in coastal marten habitat.

On August 10, 2026, a federal court found the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law by permitting off-road vehicle events within the habitat of the threatened coastal marten in Oregon and Northern California. The decision underscores the agency's failure to comply with environmental statutes protecting this rare species.

The coastal marten, a small orange-furred carnivore native to the region's forests, was officially listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2020. The species has suffered significant habitat loss from logging and wildfires, making protection critical for its survival.

The lawsuit was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, which argued that the Forest Service approved large off-road riding events without proper environmental review or consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These off-road events occur in areas key to the marten's existence, particularly the Oregon Dunes, where even minimal human-caused mortality poses an extinction threat. As the lawsuit states, "Given that only two to three annual human-caused mortalities threaten the very existence of coastal martens in the Oregon Dunes, the Forest Service cannot continue to permit these large riding events in violation of federal law."

The court ruled the Forest Service's approvals violated both the Endangered Species Act, which requires protecting threatened species, and the National Environmental Policy Act, which mandates thorough environmental impact analyses. This ruling reinforces the legal obligation for federal agencies to assess and mitigate potential harms to endangered and threatened wildlife before granting permits for recreational or other activities.

This decision serves as a caution for land management agencies, event planners, and legal counsel involved in permitting off-road or other disruptive activities within sensitive habitats. It stresses the necessity of environmental compliance to avoid litigation and protect vulnerable species.