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Sierra Club Lawsuits

Wetlands Saved from Airport Expansion in Tennessee

Case Updates:

May 6, 2005

Located in Tennessee between Cookeville and Sparta is a complex network of interconnected wetlands abundant with wildlife and diverse vegetation which serves as the headwaters to the scenic Falling Water River. Although the area rich in biodiversity is a favorite fishing, boating, and recreation ground for locals, the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport proposed to destroy 10.8 acres of the wetlands without considering any alternatives or ways to mitigate the ensuing environmental destruction of the important headwaters. Initially, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed with the destructive plan and granted the airport permission to move forward without obtaining a Clean Water Act permit as required by law. Sierra Club stepped in with a large coalition to file suit against the plan and preserve these unique wetlands from unnecessary destruction. Now, in response to our lawsuit and scientific evidence that the wetlands are all hydrologically connected the Corps has reversed course and informed the airport that it needs to obtain a permit. The victory ensures that the wetlands will now receive the full protection they require under the Clean Water Act. Read the Corps’ letter of reversal below.

Details and Documents:

Letter from Army Corps of Engineers describing reversal on permit
May 05, 2005 Army Corps of Engineers