Appeals Court Says No to Navy Landing Field in Eastern North Carolina

Washington, DC -- An appeals court today ruled that the Navy's plan to build a landing field near the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, home to tens of thousands of waterfowl, was based on a flawed and incomplete environmental review of the project's potential impact. The Court affirmed a lower court ruling against the plan and ordered the Navy to redo the environmental review.

"We applaud the Court's ruling and hope that the Navy will now look elsewhere for an appropriate landing field site," said Rodger Schlickeisen, President of Defenders of Wildlife. "Flying supersonic jets next to a wildlife refuge that is home to tens of thousands of large birds is just a recipe for disaster for man and bird alike."

"The Navy's environmental review was full of holes," continued Schlickeisen. "Wildlife biologists and experienced aviation safety experts all said this was a bad idea but the Navy moved ahead anyway. Maybe now we can find an appropriate solution that meets the Navy's needs, while protecting local communities and the environment as well."

In the ruling, the court states "The point of a wildlife refuge is not just to protect an area that is beautiful and valuable in its own right, but to remind us that an environment that is welcoming to wildlife will ultimately be one that is more hospitable to humankind."

"We cannot agree with the court more. Refuges are for wildlife, and wildlife refuges improve our quality of life, they are not for fighter jets," added Schlickeisen.

Although the court ordered the Navy to redo its environmental review, it did allow the Navy to continue with some aspects of its planning process, including land acquisition, which will waste taxpayer dollars if the site is ultimately moved elsewhere as is now expected.

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading non-profit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 475,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. To stay current on hot topics in wildlife conservation, please visit www.defenders.org.

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