FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Judge Upholds Stop Order on Navy Landing Field

Chapel Hill, NC - 10/29/04: "The passage of time appears to have weakened the Navy's position," according to a ruling by Federal District Court Judge Terrence Boyle. In his ruling issued today (10-29-04), Judge Boyle continued to uphold his original preliminary injunction of April 20, 2004, which stopped the Navy from further activities related to the construction of a proposed landing field in Washington and Beaufort counties of North Carolina.

Apparently, the judge heard nothing new from the Navy in the latest discussions. Nothing in their briefs shows "a substantial likelihood of success on appeal that would support a stay," the ruling said. The court also saw no merit to the Navy's assertion that the $5.2 million it wanted to spend on preparatory work was "relatively minor." The court found it hard to imagine that such spending, not to mention additional acquisition of land, would not impact the Navy's ability to remain impartial in the future if it had to reconsider its decision.

"Audubon North Carolina remains convinced that we will prevail in the full case, scheduled to be heard early next year," said Executive Director Chris Canfield. "It is clear that the area near Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is uniquely unsuited to a jet landing field. The huge flocks of tundra swans and snow geese that are just now arriving there for the winter present a great hazard to pilots. Attempts to control the birds would require the devastation of the refuge, a globally significant natural resource."