ELR Citation: 54 ELR 20132
No(s). 22-cv-2696 (TSC) (D.D.C. Sep 13, 2024) (Chutkan, J.)

A district court granted in part environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to BLM's approval of an oil and gas project in Wyoming. The groups argued BLM violated NEPA, the APA, FLPMA, and the Mineral Leasing Act in approving the project and in approving hundred of applications for permits to drill (APDs) based on that approval; it sought to enjoin the project and any further APDs pending a decision on the merits. The court found BLM's use of a higher specific storage value to assess the project's effects on groundwater supplies in its EIS may have resulted "in a substantial underestimation" of groundwater drawdown. It granted in part summary judgment for the groups, ordered additional briefing on remedy, and enjoined further APD approvals based on the deficient EIS pending a ruling on remedy.