ORDER RE CORRECTED JOINT SCHEDULING REPORT; SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE; AND VACATING SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 SCHEDULING (ECF No. 21)

(ECF No. 21)

STANLEY A. BOONE, Magistrate Judge.

On May 17, 2017, Plaintiffs filed this action under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Plant Protection Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. (ECF No. 1.) On July 19, 2017, the Court continued the scheduling conference in this matter to September 14, 2017. (ECF No. 19.) Subsequently, on July 19, 2017, the parties filed a joint scheduling report. (ECF No. 20.) On July 20, 2017, the parties filed a corrected joint scheduling report. (ECF No. 21.) In the corrected joint scheduling report, the parties request that the Court set the requested briefing schedule. (ECF No. 21.)

On July 27, 2017, the Court conducted an informal telephonic conference to discuss the corrected joint scheduling report. David Ogden, Kelly Dunbar, and Christopher Casamassima appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs. Daniel Schwei, John Tustin, and Eric Womack appeared on behalf of Defendants.

Based upon the parties' corrected joint scheduling report, the Court will enter the requested briefing schedule and vacate the September 14, 2017 scheduling conference. The parties shall set any hearings on motions pursuant to the Local Rules.1

In scheduling motions, counsel shall comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 and Local Rules 230 and 260. Prior to filing a motion for summary judgment or motion for summary adjudication, the parties are ORDERED to meet, in person or by telephone, and confer to discuss the issues to be raised in the motion.

The purpose of the meeting shall be to: 1) avoid filing motions for summary judgment where a question of fact exists; 2) determine whether the respondent agrees that the motion has merit in whole or in part; 3) discuss whether issues can be resolved without the necessity of briefing; 4) narrow the issues for review by the court; 5) explore the possibility of settlement before the parties incur the expense of briefing a summary judgment motion; and 6) to arrive at a Joint Statement of Undisputed Facts.

The moving party shall initiate the meeting and provide a draft of the Joint Statement of Undisputed Facts. In addition to the requirements of Local Rule 260, the moving party shall file a Joint Statement of Undisputed Facts.

In the Notice of Motion, the moving party shall certify that the parties have met and conferred as ordered above or set forth a statement of good cause for the failure to meet and confer.

All counsel are expected to familiarize themselves with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of the Eastern District of California, and to keep abreast of any amendments thereto. The Court must insist upon compliance with these Rules if it is to efficiently handle its increasing case load and sanctions will be imposed for failure to follow the Rules as provided in both the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules for the Eastern District of California.

Additional requirements and more detailed procedures for courtroom practice before United States Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone can be found at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California's website (www.caed.uscourts.gov) under Judges; United States Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone (SAB). In the area entitled "Case Management Procedures," there is a link to "Standard Information." All parties and counsel shall comply with the guidelines set forth therein.

Stipulations extending the deadlines contained herein will not be considered unless they are accompanied by affidavits or declarations, and where appropriate attached exhibits, which establish good cause for granting the relief requested. The parties are advised that due to the impacted nature of civil cases on the district judges in the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division, that stipulations to continue set dates are disfavored and will not be granted absent good cause.

Lastly, should counsel or a party appearing pro se fail to comply with the directions as set forth above, an ex parte hearing may be held and contempt sanctions, including monetary sanctions, dismissal, default, or other appropriate judgment, may be imposed and/or ordered.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

IT IS SO ORDERED.