TUCSON CITIZEN: Thurs., March 2, 2006
Fort wants review of impact on endangered species
The Associated Press
SIERRA VISTA - Officials at Fort Huachuca have decided to ask the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for a new review of the fort's impacts to endangered species associated with the San Pedro River. Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast made the decision to consult with the wildlife agency.
Fish & Wildlife produced a "biological opinion" in 2002 as a result of a previous consultation with the fort, but it didn't take into account increased missions for intelligence training stemming from the Iraq war and the war on terrorism, or their impacts on the river, authorities said.
The agency issues formal biological opinions after it studies an issue, saying whether it believes a project or action would jeopardize threatened or endangered species or their habitat.
The fort's population has increased above a level established in the 2002 biological opinion, said Dr. Robin Silver of the Center for Biological Diversity. The environmental group sued the fort, the Defense Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year.
The center contends that the fort's growth and additional development because of the Army's presence has caused increased pumping of the San Pedro's aquifer and jeopardizes the river and endangered species dependent upon its water.
Fort officials said in a news release that the decision would enable it to adapt better to operations stemming from rapidly evolving national defense needs and emerging missions.
Silver called the decision "great news for the San Pedro River."
Col. Jonathan Hunter, Fort Huachuca's garrison commander, said water use has dropped significantly despite growth on the fort, and that the fort is committed to complying with the Endangered Species Act.
Harrington said a new biological opinion is expected to take at least six months.
According to the CBD lawsuit, the fort and the Defense Department promised not to expand by more than 500 people through 2011. But it said that more than 2,800 people have been added or committed since August 2002.