A coalition of environmental groups has appealed to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to halt a proposal for selling public lands for fracking amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn in the oil and gas industry.

In a formal administrative appeal, WildEarth Guardians, alongside organizations such as the Center for Biological Diversity, Chaco Alliance, Living-Rivers-Colorado Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, Southwest Native Cultures, Waterkeeper Alliance, and Western Environmental Law Center, have challenged BLM's plan to sell over 45,000 acres of public lands in May 2020. The protest period spanned from March 23 to April 1.

These groups question the legal justification behind selling public lands for oil and gas extraction. They urge BLM to pause leasing due to current health concerns related to COVID-19 and economic challenges facing the oil sector.

Other entities like The Wilderness Society and Audubon Society have also filed protests along with over 10,000 individuals. Despite these objections from Indigenous communities, environmental advocates, and local groups emphasizing health risks during the pandemic, BLM is proceeding with its plans in southeast New Mexico.

WildEarth Guardians had previously filed a lawsuit against BLM last year over its alleged neglect in considering climate impacts from increased oil extraction and greenhouse emissions. The final brief for this case was submitted by WildEarth Guardians attorneys last month.

The pushback comes at a time when New Mexico's oil industry faces an economic downturn with decreasing drilling rates. Companies are reportedly requesting regulatory interventions to limit production in response to oversupply issues.