Representative Cases

Portland Harbor Superfund Site
Cascadia Law P.C. currently represents the Nez Perce Tribe in negotiations surrounding the clean-up of contaminants in the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, located in the Willamette River. Attorney Erin Madden chairs the trustee council, which is responsible for conducting the Natural Resources Damage Assessment for the site to ensure appropriate compensation for injured natural resources of great concern to the Tribe, including salmon, lamprey and sturgeon, through restoration, replacement or acquisition of equivalent resources.
Client: Nez Perce Tribe (www.nezperce.org)

Sirrah Road
Cascadia Law P.C. set a significant precedent for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in a challenge to a permanent road easement issued by the Forest Service to a private landowner. The court held that the decision to issue the easement was subject to the National Environmental Policy Act and must be consistent with the protections of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act.
Client: Friends of the Columbia Gorge (www.gorgefriends.com)

Slinky Timber Sale
Cascadia Law P.C. successfully halted the last old growth timber sale on Mt. Hood National Forest in U.S. federal court. This timber sale would have logged over 160 acres of old growth forests in the Clackamas River watershed. Claims were brought under the National Forest Management Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
Client: Bark (www.bark-out.org)

Brinkman Gravel Mine
Cascadia Law P.C. worked at both the county and state levels to halt a proposed gravel mine near Molalla, Oregon. We drafted testimony on behalf of local residents and worked with geologists to create a sound record to support the county’s decision to deny the necessary permits. In addition, we represented local residents, intervening on behalf of the county, in a challenge by the developer to the Land Use Board of Appeals.
Client: Friends of the Molalla River


Gorge Casino
Cascadia Law successfully negotiated the release of hundreds of documents withheld by the Bureau of Indian Affairs based on a request submitted under the Freedom of Information Act for documents related to a proposal to build a casino in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Client: Friend of the Columbia Gorge