ELR Citation: 52 ELR 20058
No(s). 21-cv-01268-MSK (D. Colo. May 19, 2022) (Krieger, J.)

A district court granted in part and denied in part BLM's and the Forest Service's motion to remand a challenge to the agencies' approval of a master development plan concerning oil and gas development activities on Colorado's Western Slope. Environmental groups argued the agencies violated NEPA by failing to adequately consider the plan's effects on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change and failing to consider a range of reasonable alternatives. The agencies moved to remand without vacatur. The court found that because the agencies conceded that approval of the plan was not in accordance with NEPA's requirements, vacatur was the appropriate remedy. It vacated the approval and remanded for the agencies' reconsideration.