Two environmental groups attempting to prevent some oil and natural gas lease sales in New Mexico from being implemented have sued the Bureau of Land Management, alleging that the federal agency has failed to curb ozone levels and safeguard air quality in the northwestern part of the state.

WildEarth Guardians and Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment (CARE) filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico (Case No. 6:08-cv-01057-LFG-DJS).

The 16-page complaint challenges the decision by BLM’s Farmington, NM, field office to authorize two quarterly lease sales in April and July. The plaintiffs contend that BLM violated the National Environmental Policy Act by conducting the lease sales without completing adequate environmental assessments (EA), by failing to provide a “timely” opportunity for public comment, and by failing to conduct an environmental impact statement (EIS).

“The EAs did not fully consider, evaluate and disclose the significant direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts of the leases, including impacts on the already deteriorating air quality in the San Juan Basin,” the lawsuit stated. “The EAs also failed to analyze a reasonable range of alternatives that could provide protections for air quality while allowing for lease development.”

BLM used the 2003 Farmington Resource Management Plan to conduct the sales; it provides for development of nearly 10,000 new oil and gas wells over a 20-year period. However, the lawsuit contended that BLM leased more than 22,000 acres in April and July without adequately addressing ozone pollution or possible pollution controls.

According to WildEarth, air quality monitors this year have reported ozone levels in the region averaged 77 parts per billion (p/b), which exceeds the federal limit of 75 p/b.

A BLM official told NGI the agency was aware of the lawsuit and had no comment.

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