several south shore communities, joined in a suit by the Natural Re- 

 sources Defense Council against the Department of Interior. They sought 

 to rescind the sale of leases for the Mid Atlantic on the basis of 

 violation of the intent of the National Environmental Policy Act. On 

 February 17, 1977, the federal district court in Brooklyn ruled in their 

 favor and annulled the Mid Atlantic sale, pending appeal by the Depart- 

 ment of Interior. 



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