Long Beach port closer to expansion. (Port of Long Beach)

Judge rules purchase of 725-acre parcel from Union Pacific does not require environmental impact statement.

The city of Los Angeles lost a round in its fight to block the Port of Long Beach from purchasing a 725-acre parcel from Union Pacific for use as a marine cargo terminal.

In a ruling in late December, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien rejected the city of Los Angeles' contention that the $405 million deal required an environmental impact statement because of the intended change of use of the property from oil production.

O'Brien agreed with Port of Long Beach officials that the purchase itself would not constitute a conversion …