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What claims does this lawsuit make?

Essentially, the suit claims the annual elk hunt in Grand Teton National Park cannot be justified by current science and data, is a threat to public safety and jeopardizes the grizzly bear, a protected species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Specifically:

  1. The National Park Service violated the Grand Teton National Park Act by failing to demonstrate that the hunt is “necessary for the purpose of proper management and protection of the elk.”
  2. By authorizing the hunt, NPS violated the National Park Service Organic Act by failing to follow the act’s requirement to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Further, GTNP has failed to make a “non-impairment” finding required by the act to demonstrate that the hunt would not impair park resources or their enjoyment.
  3. NPS violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to analyze the environmental impacts of the annual elk hunt required under NEPA.
  4. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act by substantially increasing the number of grizzly bears that could be killed during elk hunting season. The FWS failed to provide adequate scientific support for the decision and also failed to follow proper procedures in the process

Are Mayo and Nelson representing an organization?

No. Each of the plaintiffs has filed this suit as individuals. However, each is a board member of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.