National Wildlife Federation v. Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co.

This case presents the question of whether plaintiffs have standing to bring a suit on behalf of their members under the Michigan environ*611mental protection act (MEPA), MCL 324.1701 et seq. We conclude that, under the particular circumstances of this case, plaintiffs have standing. We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals and remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings.

I. BACKGROUND

Defendant Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company (Cleveland Cliffs), in partnership with defendant Empire Iron Mining Partnership, planned to expand operations at the Empire Mine in Michigan’s Upper…