In Robertson v. Seattle Audubon Society, U.S. 112 S.Ct. 1407, 118 L.Ed.2d 73 (1992), various environmental organizations challenged the federal government's policy of allowing timber harvesting from old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. In response, the United States Forest Service amended its regulations to restrict harvesting in certain areas. The environmental groups filed suit, claiming that the new regulations were insufficient to protect the northern spotted owl. The Washington Contract Loggers Association and others filed a separate suit, arguing that the regulations were too burdensome. Id.