In a case that could add some clarity regarding future federal requirements for climate analysis in making environmental assessments, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in New Mexico is considering appealing a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.

Last June, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico concluded that BLM failed to adequately address potential climate issues, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in selling oil and natural gas leases in 2015. Judge M. Christina Armijo ruled for the plaintiffs, a coalition of environmental groups, in the case San Juan Citizens Alliance et al v. BLM et al, No. 16-cv-376.

Specifically, Armijo said BLM had failed to adequately consider the impacts the leases would have on downstream GHG emissions and climate change, and said the agency had also not taken a “hard look” at the leases’ cumulative impact on water quantity.

The court set aside 13 oil and gas leases in the San Juan Basin that cover nearly 20,000 acres of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a notice it intended to appeal the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The notice issued by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Wood provided no additional details.

A source familiar with appellate filings told NGI that DOJ often files notices to “preserve the option of appealing,” but it is likely no decision has been made on what issues could be appealed.

The 13 parcels of federal minerals covering 19,788 acres were reviewed by the Department of Interior’s U.S. Forest Service before they were auctioned in October 2015. SFNF totals more than 1.56 million acres.