Federal Judge Dismisses Environmental Lawsuit Against Dragon Springs

A federal judge dismissed an environmental lawsuit against Dragon Springs, a 400-acre campus in Orange County, New York, associated with Shen Yun Performing Arts. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, due to the plaintiffs' previous unsuccessful attempts to sue on similar grounds. The judge found that the plaintiffs failed to properly notify Dragon Springs of their intent to sue and that their claims lacked sufficient evidence. The judge criticized the plaintiffs' Notice of Intent to Sue (NOI) for being deficient and noted that the allegations of surface water pollution were illogical. Although the plaintiffs attempted to introduce a new claim regarding coliform release, it was deemed too late as it was not mentioned in the original NOI. The judge emphasized that merely alleging ongoing construction at Dragon Springs did not adequately identify any specific violations. Dragon Springs has faced ongoing harassment from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which views the site as a hub for Falun Gong activities. Reports indicate that the CCP has targeted Dragon Springs with strategic attacks, including attempts to sabotage Shen Yun's performances and pressure on officials to cancel shows. This harassment is part of a broader campaign against Falun Gong, which has intensified in recent years. The situation highlights the intersection of environmental law and political persecution, as the plaintiffs have been attempting to block the development of Dragon Springs, which serves the local Chinese community. The dismissal of the lawsuit underscores the challenges faced by those opposing the campus and the ongoing tensions surrounding Falun Gong in the U.S.