Seismic Test Plans for Oil, Gas in Atlantic Draw Lawsuits (1)

Environmental groups along with coastal cities and businesses are suing the Trump administration for giving the green light to underwater seismic testing for oil and gas, because of potential harm to whales, dolphins, and other marine animals and the local economy.

In two lawsuits, filed Dec. 11 in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, the groups allege that in issuing “incidental harassment authorizations” late last month, the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The first two of ...