Sierra Club v. National Marine Fisheries Service

The federal district court for the District of Maryland dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction a lawsuit brought by environmental organizations challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service’s compliance with the Endangered Species Act in connection with “Federally Regulated Oil and Gas Program Activities in the Gulf of America.” The federal defendants and industry intervenors filed motions to dismiss after the Endangered Species Committee convened on March 31 and exempted all “Gulf of America” oil and gas exploration and development activities associated with the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Program from ESA requirements. The federal defendants and industry intervenors argued that the Committee’s action rendered the plaintiffs’ claims moot. The court dismissed the case without prejudice.