A federal judge has denied a request by environmentalists to put on hold oil and gas development in northwestern New Mexico that stems from the approval of dozens of permits over the last two years by the Bureau of Land Management.
U.S. District Judge James Browning issued his ruling late Friday. At least one environmental group plans to appeal.
Environmentalists contend the BLM's Farmington office violated federal environmental laws by approving 265 permits since 2013 and that more development could harm the environment and archaeological and cultural sites in the region.
The BLM has declined to comment directly on the litigation but maintains that it reviews all permitted wells to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Browning also cleared the way for the American Petroleum Institute to participate in the case.
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