Last week I went on a day of snowmobiling in the forests near Jackson Wyoming. While we were having our picnic lunch (at a picnic table while it was 30 deg and snowing), I asked the guide about the status of snowmobiling in Yellowstone – I knew the policy had changed around a couple times and figured it might be the type of question this gentleman would've formed an opinion about.

Oh, yes. He gave a lengthy rundown of the conflict between locals (pro-snowmobile) and the environmental groups (anti) and the litigation that had ensued.

But the best part was when I asked about who was filing the lawsuits. He explained that because the lawsuit named the United States as a party, it could be brought in any federal court. And the Sierra Club & other environmental groups had chosen to file their suits in federal districts likely to have favorable caselaw and/or judges ... snowmobile dude gave a perfect explanation of federal venue shopping.

11 Jan 06