I'm beginning to feel simple-minded (I know, never admit your weak points around high level commenters) but why do you believe that if Ms Ackley wins and/or if the court acknowledges that there might be bipedal hominids in the CA forests, that Sasquatch will immediately be given endangered status, thereby disrupting the timber and mineral extraction industries ( Like the Spotted Owl?) I know for my namesake, the wolf, federal endangered species designation was a help, but only against hunting them. And as soon as someone pressured for de-listing the wolf, they could be hunted in some states. Nothing said about habitat that I know of.
For Sas, it would be a long, long time and many lawsuits later that its habitat would be protected, even if hunting them was banned.
Just a thought (2cents or less.)