Court Halts Tree Clearing at East Potomac Golf Course, Chides Interior
A federal judge temporarily barred the Interior Department from cutting more trees at East Potomac Golf Course after hundreds were removed over a holiday weekend. Judge Ana C. Reyes said the government gave late notice and damaged its credibility, extending a restraining order until Tuesday afternoon. She demanded senior Interior testimony and warned of contempt proceedings if the order is violated.
During a four-hour Monday hearing, Judge Ana C. Reyes extended a temporary restraining order until 2 p.m. Tuesday and required 72 hours’ notice before any work at East Potomac Golf Links. Government lawyers said roughly 430 trees had been felled, with about 299 more planned.
Officials had alerted the court at 4:55 p.m. Friday, just before the holiday weekend. The D.C. Preservation League’s Sunday emergency motion said 529 trees were destroyed Saturday. Superintendent Kevin Griess testified the decision was made Wednesday; deputy director Frank Lands was summoned and testified from a parked car.
The ruling may sharpen scrutiny of how federal agencies handle court-ordered notice and irreversible work at historic sites. Local residents, golfers, preservation advocates, and park users could see immediate effects if tree removal resumes or is delayed. It may also influence how judges treat agency assurances in future environmental and public-land disputes, potentially raising expectations for transparency and sworn testimony.