BLM, Forest Service sued over air pollution

Environmentalists are taking aim again at the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, accusing the agencies in a lawsuit of failing to curb air pollution in the San Juan Basin - 1 of the largest natural gas fields in the nation. WildEarth Guardians, Dine CARE and Carson Forest Watch sued Wednesday in federal court. The lawsuit is the latest in a string of protests and complaints filed over the past year over the impacts of emissions from energy development in the region. The lawsuit targets the BLM's decision to lease 28,510 acres through three lease auctions in 2008. The groups contend the decision could lead to development of 712 new wells with no safeguards. It also targets the Forest Service's decision to authorize drilling in the Jicarilla Ranger District. AP