NEW ORLEANS -- The Sierra Club is seeking to join a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department against BP PLC. over the company's massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

On Monday, the Sierra Club asked a federal judge to allow it to become involved in the suit against BP. The environmental group says it hopes to get "a seat at the table" and make sure coastal communities are "fairly represented and compensated."

The Sierra Club also says it wants to make sure money from BP fines goes to restoring the Gulf Coast.

The Obama administration sued BP in December in federal court in New Orleans for damages under the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act.