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.

Challenge to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s issuance of a new “Biological Opinion on the Federally Regulated Oil and Gas Program Activities in the Gulf of America” after the court set aside a previous biological opinion in 2024.

Sierra Club v. National Marine Fisheries Service

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Maryland Federal Court Dismissed Endangered Species Act Challenge to Federal Authorization for Oil and Gas Development in Gulf of America

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