U.S. District Judge William Conley has ruled in favor of the town Lac du Flambeau, rejecting the DOJ’s lawsuit filed on behalf of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The lawsuit stemmed from the tribe blocking four roads in May 2023, claiming expired easements, leading to an agreement for the town to pay monthly permit fees, which it stopped paying in late 2024. The 47-page ruling mandates the roads remain open. Attorney Frank Kowalkowski, representing the town, highlighted the ruling’s national implications, preventing future access restrictions based on Board of Indian Affairs regulations that require these roads to remain open. An attempt by the tribal council to remove the roads from the BIA inventory failed, solidifying the ruling against the DOJ’s claim for monetary trespass damages. Though not binding, the town’s attorney believes the decision will gain national attention.