Earthworks seeks reinstatement of Cortina lease

Executive Summary

• Earthworks Industries Inc. (via its subsidiary Cortina Integrated Waste Management Inc., CIWM) is challenging a U.S. Department of the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) order that affirmed the termination of a federally approved lease with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria.
• The company filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California seeking to vacate the IBIA decision, reinstate the lease, and declare the decision a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.
• The legal briefing schedule has been updated, with CIWM’s reply/opposition filing now scheduled for August 8, 2025, and the defendants' cross-motion reply scheduled for August 29, 2025.

Key Details

• Legal Action: CIWM filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation.
• Relief Sought:
  • Declaration that the IBIA decision violates the Administrative Procedures Act.
  • Injunctive relief to vacate and set aside the IBIA decision affirming the lease termination.
  • Reinstatement of the lease between CIWM and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation.
  • Such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
• Litigation Timeline:
  • Federal defendants and tribe opposition/cross-motions were submitted on June 30, 2025.
  • CIWM’s reply/opposition filing was originally planned for July 30, 2025, but is now scheduled for August 8, 2025.
  • Federal defendants' and tribe's cross-motion reply is scheduled for August 29, 2025.
• Company Position: Earthworks states it has spent decades pursuing the project and invested significant resources to permit and operate it. The company remains confident in a successful resolution and reinstatement of the lease.
• Previous Context: The current proceedings follow a joint briefing schedule referenced in a previous news release dated April 11, 2025.

Notable Quotes

• "CIWM has, in good faith, spent decades pursuing the project and has invested significant resources to undertake the steps necessary to permit and operate the project pursuant to the lease and applicable law."
• "The company remains extremely confident in a successful resolution and reinstatement of the lease."