A federal agency has halted the construction of a massive housing development in southeast Arizona out of concern for potential environmental impacts.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended the permit needed to fill in dozens of desert washes for the more than 8,000 acre planned development in Benson. The Corps’ letter states the injunction is in the “public interest,” at least while it works with another federal agency to conduct more environmental analysis.
Earlier this year, conservation groups sued the developer El Dorado Holdings, alleging the Villages at Vigneto threatens the San Pedro River and nearby endangered species.
"It would basically dry up this really amazing river that provides habitat for so many species," attorney Chris Eaton with Earthjustice said. "We just want to make sure the federal agencies consider those effects and that we are not going to have so much destruction.”
The Benson City Council recently approved the final master plan. Meanwhile, the lawsuit against the development is ongoing.
