ELR Citation: 53 ELR 20178
No(s). 19-8290 (E.D. La. Nov 15, 2023) (Guidry, J.)

A district court denied the city of New Orleans' motion to remand to state court its lawsuit against oil companies for allegedly damaging coastal wetlands with their operations. The city initially sued the companies in state court, arguing they violated the Louisiana State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act by failing to contain their operations within permitted bounds or failing to secure a coastal use permit when required, causing damage to the city's coastal lands. The companies removed the suit to federal court on federal jurisdiction grounds, and the city moved to remand. The court found federal diversity jurisdiction was proper because the only defendant based in Louisiana was improperly joined, and denied the city's motion.