Bioprospecting
Comments on the National Park Service’s Draft EIS
December 7, 2006
Five organizations, the Edmonds Institute (Edmonds, WA), Alliance for the Wild Rockies (Helena, MT), the International Center for Technology Assessment (Washington, D.C.), Wilderness Watch (Missoula, MT) and the WildWest Institute (Missoula, MT) submitted official comments opposing the National Park Service (NPS) plans to facilitate commercial bioprospecting in the nation’s 400-plus national parks. The groups oppose the NPS’ proposed benefit sharing deals with private corporations hoping to extract and develop natural resources from the national parks for private profit.
National Park Service Issues Draft EIS for Comment
September 26, 2006
The National Park Service begins compliance with the decision in Edmonds Instiute, et al v. Babbit by releasing its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the use of benefits-sharing agreements throughout the entire National Park System. To view the draft EIS and to submit comments to the National Park Service go to: www.parksnotforsale.org. Comments are being accepted through January 29, 2007.
Second Decision in Edmonds Institute, et al. v. Babbitt, Civ. Docket No. 98-561
April 12, 2000
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rules that the Yellowstone cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the Department of the Interior and Diversa does not violate the Federal Technology Transfer Act.
View the Press Release.
First Decision in Edmonds Institute, et al. v. Babbitt, Civ. Docket No. 98-561
March 24, 1999
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rules that the Department of Interior’s Yellowstone cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) violates the National Environmental Protection Act. The CRADA remains on hold, pending Interior’s completion of an Environmental Impact Statement.
View the Press Release.
Edmonds Institute, et al. v. Babbitt, Civ. Docket No. 98-561
March 5, 1998
International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), Edmonds Institute and Alliance for the Wild Rockies file a lawsuit against the Department of Interior and the National Park Service to stop a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) that would allow bioprospecting by the biotech firm Diversa in Yellowstone National Park.
Edmonds Institute, et al. v. National Park Service, Docket No. 98-CV-482
February 25, 1998
International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) and Edmonds Institute file a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the National Park Service, which withheld financial terms of the bioprospecting cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the government and biotech firm Diversa.
Edmonds Institute, et al. v. Department of Interior, Docket No. 97-CV-2190
September 23, 1997
International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) and the Edmonds Institute file a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Department of Interior seeking documents related to bioprospecting in Yellowstone National Park. The Department agrees to settle the suit on February 6, 1998.
Bioprospecting in Yellowstone National Park–Petition for Rulemaking
August 15, 1997
International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) and the Edmonds Institute file a legal petition asking the National Park Service and Department of Interior to prevent bioprospecting within Yellowstone National Park under the National Environmental Policy Act.
View the Press Release.
