American Rivers, a national river conservation organization, the Environmental Defense Fund, and several national and local environmental organizations brought suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the secretary of the army, and the secretary of the interior, seeking to protect the endangered least tern, the endangered pallid sturgeon, and the threatened Great Plains piping plover, all of which are protected by the ESA.

The groups allege that the manner in which the Corps has operated the extensive dam and reservoir system on the Missouri River has adversely affected the three species. Do the groups have the right to assert the claim? What response can the government agencies offer? What should the court do? [American Rivers v U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 271 F. Supp. 2d 230 (D.D.C. 2003)]