Page "Trans-Alaska Pipeline System" Paragraph 31

The environmental groups that had filed the injunction appealed the decision, and on October 6, 1972, the U. S. District Court of Appeals in Washington, D. C. partially reversed Hart's decision.

The appeals court said that although the impact statement followed the guidelines set by the National Environmental Policy Act, it did not follow the Minerals Leasing Act, which allowed for a smaller pipeline right of way than was required for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

The oil companies and Alyeska appealed this decision to the U. S. Supreme Court, but in April 1973, the court declined to hear the case.