Navajo Allottees’ Trespass Suit against Federal Government and Public Utilities Fails

Here is the lengthy opinion in Begay v. Public Service Co. of New Mexico et al. (D. N.M.): Begay DCT Order

An excerpt:

Because the claims against the Federal Defendants are not ripe for review and because the Plaintiffs lack standing to bring this action individually or as a class, the Court will grant the Federal Defendants’ motion to dismiss. Because the Plaintiffs fail to allege a claim upon which relief can be granted under their constructive trust theory, the Court will grant El Paso Corporation’s motion to dismiss pursuant to rule 12(b)(6). Because the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) has exclusive jurisdiction over claims involving interstate gas line pipelines, the Court will also grant Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC’s motion to dismiss regarding ejectment, removal of pipeline and trespass. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss Plaintiffs’ Complaint without prejudice.