Tucson Arizona — A federal judge has denied the government’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a conservation group challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of an Interstate 11 route option. The proposed 280-mile highway will run between Nogales and Wickenburg, Arizona.
“This is good news for Arizona’s public lands and wildlife, and for the state’s climate and water future,” said Wendy Park, senior attorney at the Center for Biodiversity. “Our precious desert wilderness should be off-limits to destruction of this magnitude to give animals like desert tortoises a chance to survive climate change.”
The government has argued that it is premature to challenge the approval of Interstate 11 because a more detailed environmental analysis will be conducted. A judge on Wednesday dismissed the motion, saying the agency’s selection of the highway constitutes a final decision subject to judicial review.
Building an interstate highway along the approved route would destroy the pristine Sonoran Desert, damage protected public lands, and endanger desert tortoises and other wildlife. The damage will be done, exacerbating air pollution and the water crisis of the Colorado River.
“We commend Judge Hinderaker’s ruling in recognizing the need to publicly reconsider the I-11 plan before irreversible choices are made,” said Tucson Audubon Association Conservation Advocacy Director. said David Robinson. “The public has the right to challenge the government’s proposal to build this highly impactful project utilizing some of Arizona’s most valuable and endangered natural resources. This decision reserves its right.”
The agency approved the highway despite deferring environmental reviews and deciding between two route options for Pima County.
Western options would have the most noticeable impact on wildlife and public lands. North of Tucson, the highway runs along the Sonoran Desert National Monument, threatening its wilderness and recreation, disrupting wildlife corridors, and threatening the habitat of the Tucson Shovelnose Snake. The complaint alleges that this “approve now, consider later” approach violates federal law.
“The Federal Highway Administration decided long ago where to put the highway,” said Carolyn Campbell of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Coalition. “The impact and other federal policies should be blamed.” “The judge has just ruled this out, and our cases are all going forward.”
The National Park Service, Land Management, Forest Service, Reclamation Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Service have repeatedly expressed concern that interstate highways will cause permanent and severe damage to wildlife populations and public lands. rice field.
Friends of Ironwood Forest’s Tom Hanagan said, “Ironwood Forest Friends was pleased that the judge denied the Federal Highway Administration’s motion to dismiss one of our claims. There are,” he said. “This particular allegation is that ADOT and FHWA erroneously determined that the Ironwood Forest National Monument did not deserve to be considered a wildlife sanctuary, and it certainly did, and the National Monument It does not include public recreation, and it certainly does.The rejection of the motion to dismiss is very important because proposed I-11 does not allow the legitimate enjoyment of wildlife and public open spaces. It’s an important positive step in stopping us from doing harm.”
On Tuesday the center released a new report. deadpool highwayusing government data, shows how the proposed interstate would stimulate dramatic population growth and demand for water that exceeds availability.
