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Sierra Club Acts to Protect Rare Prairie Habitat near Houston, Texas

Case Updates:

March 24, 2009

On March 9, 2009, Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against the Federal Highway Administration for approving a section of a massive highway loop that would cut through Texas’ prized Katy Prairie - an essential migratory and winter habitat for over 200 species of birds. The proposed Grand Parkway would involve constructing a 200-mile highway loop that would join three other highway systems that encircle the Houston area. In all, it would cross seven counties, and would cover rights-of-way totaling 6,500 acres.

Not only will this section of the proposed highway, “Segment E”, disrupt prime bird habitat, it will also cause more vehicle traffic and worsen air quality, and induce new sprawl development. Segment E is being challenged under the National Environmental Policy Act because the Federal Highway Administration failed to adequately consider the project’s detrimental impacts on the environment.

Sierra Club is urging the Federal Highway Administration to consider alternatives to the proposed Grand Parkway. There are a number of other potential transportation projects, such as the commuter rail on U.S. 290, that would serve the Houston area without destroying rare prairie habitat.

Details and Documents: