The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) said it intends to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for insufficiently vetting the potential impacts of 88 Energy Ltd.’s Project Peregrine oil and gas development in Alaska on the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population.

“With only about 900 bears remaining, the Southern Beaufort Sea population is the most imperiled bear population in the world,” the nonprofit conservation group said. “Scientists have determined that the population cannot sustain any injuries or deaths from oil and gas activities.”

In a 60-day notice of intent to sue filed on Dec. 22, the CBD alleged that DOI’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under former President Trump failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act in greenlighting the...