Montana Environmental Information Center v. BLM

Filing Date: 2008
Case Categories:
Principal Laws:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Mineral Leasing Act (MLA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA)
Description: Action seeking to force BLM to consider climate impacts of oil and gas leasing decisions.
  • Montana Environmental Information Center v. United States Bureau of Land Management
    Docket number(s): 9:08-cv-00178-DWM
    Court/Admin Entity: D. Mont.
    Case Documents:
    Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary
    03/12/2010 Settlement Agreement Download Settlement reached. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) agreed to a settlement with several environmental organizations concerning its alleged duty under NEPA to consider the climate impacts of oil and gas leasing decisions. According to the settlement, BLM will immediately suspend 61 oil and gas leases it issued covering more than 30,000 acres in Montana. During the suspension, BLM will review its obligations under NEPA. The plaintiffs commenced the lawsuit in December 2008, alleging that BLM violated NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, and an Interior Department Secretarial Order which allegedly requires all Department of Interior agencies to conduct climate analyses in parallel with planning and decision making.
    12/17/2008 Complaint Download Complaint filed.