Case: Healthy Gulf v. Burgum
1:26-cv-02150 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: June 17, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the March 2026 Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale that was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Five environmental organizations sued the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and Acting Director of BOEM Matthew Giacona on June 17, 2026. Plaintiffs filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging the March 2026 Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale. The challenged sale was titled the Gulf of America Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas One Big Beautiful Bill Act Lease Sale 2 (BBG2). Plaintiffs included Healthy Gulf, Friends of the Earth, Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra Club (collectively “Plaintiffs”).
Plaintiffs alleged violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Plaintiffs alleged these violations in four causes of action:
- First, Plaintiffs alleged NEPA violations, specifically BOEM’s position that it was not required to comply with NEPA and its failure to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). In failing to prepare an EIS, Plaintiffs alleged that BOEM’s actions were arbitrary and capricious, violating the APA.
- Second, Plaintiffs alleged OCSLA violations. Plaintiffs alleged that the Secretary and BOEM failed to properly consider environmental information before issuing the final notice of sale.
- Third, Plaintiffs alleged ESA violations because BOEM failed to consult the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding the critically endangered Rice's whale.
- Fourth, Plaintiffs alleged improper involvement of the Acting BOEM Director Matthew Giacona despite required recusal given his previous position as Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA). Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant Giacona’s involvement in the approval of BBG2 was arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with the law.
As relief, Plaintiffs requested declaratory and injunctive relief as well as attorney’s fees. This case is still ongoing as of August 12, 2026.
Summary Authors
Sadie Henderson (8/12/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73497833/parties/healthy-gulf-v-burgum/
Mashuda, Stephen D. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73497833/healthy-gulf-v-burgum/
Last updated Aug. 13, 2026, 9:34 a.m.
Docket for: HEALTHY GULF v. BURGUM
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 17, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Healthy Gulf, Friends of the Earth, Center for Biological Diversity, NRDC, and Sierra Club
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
U.S. Department of the Interior
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.
National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-02150
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources:
Environmental Impact Statements
Case Summary of Healthy Gulf v. Burgum, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48303/ (last updated 8/12/2026).