The substantive comment requirement was a serious problem because under these rules, members of the public might not even know that a project threatened their interests until after the Forest Service deadline for public comment.

We read the rules and they clearly require the BLM to prepare a full environmental impact statement and include the public in these processes. The BLM is simply trying to intimidate the public and prevent citizens from enforcing the law and protecting their public forest.

We have to have rules in place before we can do it.

But judges more than anyone else have to follow clear mandates of federal law. When you violate judicial rules of ethics, it matters, even if you're not doing it for any nefarious reason.

We weren't asking for special treatment, just to continue the rules the way they were for the past 15 years.

I live out of my van, which gives me a first-hand appreciation for power and lighting. A few years ago, I rebuilt the interior of my van to include solar panels and a battery that powers LEDs for lighting and allows me to charge my phone and laptop.