State District Judge Matthew Wilson on Monday issued an order rejecting the state's motion seeking dismissal of an environmental justice lawsuit. A coalition of Indigenous people, youth, frontline community members and environmental groups filed the lawsuit in May 2023 , alleging the state had violated a 1971 provision in the New Mexico Constitution calling for the Legislature to control pollution and protect the state’s “beautiful and healthful environment.” State regulators and the governor filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing it lacked legal merit.

The Legislature filed a separate motion to dismiss the case. Wilson heard arguments in the case in April but delayed making a decision. In his ruling Monday, the judge found the plaintiffs "allege sufficient facts to support a claim for declaratory relief under the Declaratory Judgment Act and the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.

" While a court might not ultimately rule in their favor, he noted, the groups' claims have merit. "Further," he wrote, "an analysis as to whether the 'New Mexico Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to a beautiful and healthful environment' ..

. or a fundamental right to pollution control, is ill-suited for resolution at the motion to dismiss stage." Environmental groups hailed the decision.

“The court soundly rejected the state and oil industry’s attempts to prevent the plaintiffs from having their day in court, allowing us to continue to fight for our constitutional rights to a.