JACKSON - People who think energy development is moving too quickly in the Pinedale area got a boost this week from two little-known environmental groups and several people in Wyoming.

The Environmental Preservation Foundation and Habitat for Wildlife, both based in Utah, along with two Cokeville and two Kemmerer residents, filed suit against Bureau of Land Management officials, saying the agency has not conducted adequate environmental reviews to allow a boom in energy activity.

Matthew Teichert of Cokeville signed on as an individual in the lawsuit, and said he joined because wildlife are not being adequately protected.

"I signed on because I felt the deer and sage grouse and other game are being harmed by the oil exploration, and I'd like to see some pressure put on the oil companies to maybe replace damaged land with other land that could be used for wildlife habitat," he said Wednesday.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne Tuesday, and names Wyoming BLM Director Bob Bennett and incoming Pinedale field manager Chuck Otto as defendants. Other plaintiffs are Tim Teichert of Cokeville and Jay Johnson and Scott Oldroyd of Kemmerer.

The lawsuit calls for a cessation of new oil and gas drilling pending further environmental review that takes into account the cumulative impacts of drilling. It also called for the BLM to stop issuing waivers to companies to drill. And, the complaint calls for the Pinedale Anticline supplemental environmental impact statement to be stopped pending the outcome of the case.

The BLM is currently finishing a supplemental analysis allowing for 4,399 new wells on the Anticline in a concentrated area, and a resource management plan for the broader Pinedale area.

The groups say there should be "a regionwide EIS that contemplates all of the current and proposed oil and gas activities in the Pinedale Resource Area and connected areas." That includes the Jonah and Anticline fields.

Steven Hall, spokesman for the BLM, said the agency has completed adequate environmental analysis allowing for energy development in the area. He said that analysis takes into account new technology and new issues in the area.

"We certainly feel we have complied with and will comply with the laws of the United States," he said.

Hall also said there have been appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals regarding other decisions the BLM has made in the Pinedale area, and that board has found in favor of the BLM, proving the agency's "good track record."

Hall also noted that Chuck Otto has not yet been sworn in as Pinedale field manager, although the complaint names Otto as the current field manager.

Lance Schuster, an attorney for the groups who is based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, said the groups decided to file a lawsuit - rather than an appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals - because there is a sense of urgency.

"I think our client feels like the harm to the environment and the harm to wildlife is immediate and this is the right course of action," he said.

Bruce Hinchey with the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said he was not familiar with the case, but said he was confident the BLM has done everything it can to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

"I'm sure the BLM has done everything that was required to fulfill their not only rules but laws on the books," he said. "They're very good about that, because they know groups like this are out there willing to file a lawsuit. I'm sure they've done their job, but maybe now they're going to have to go prove it in court."

Information about the Environmental Preservation Foundation and Habitat for Wildlife could not be found in an Internet search of their names. Schuster was not available later in the day to provide contact information. Telephone directory assistance in Utah did not have numbers for either group.

Tim Preso, an attorney with EarthJustice based in Bozeman, Mont., said he is not aware of the groups. EarthJustice provides legal assistance to a number of high-profile environmental organizations.

Preso added that drilling in the Upper Green River Basin has become widespread, and the BLM has failed to safeguard values beyond oil and gas development, so it is important to pay attention to the issue.

Environmental reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.