Judge Rules Irrigation Project Will Continue

A federal judge has ruled against environmentalists trying to block an irrigation project on Arkansas` Grand Prairie. The judge ruled today that the environmentalists` complaints about Army Corps of Engineers` procedures were incorrect and untimely. At the center of the lawsuit filed by the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation and others were claims that the Corps failed to perform required studies. The 319 million dollar project would pump water from the White River to area rice farmers. The Corps and many farmers in the White River region say the project is necessary to save rice fields and underground aquifers that are drying up from overuse. Terry Horton, executive director of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, says he`s disappointed in the decision. He says the plaintiffs still need to decide if they will appeal. He also noted that the fight against the project isn`t over.