Environmental Defense, the Sierra Club, Audubon Naturalist Society, Maryland Native Plant Society and a family on the Intercounty Connector (ICC) route filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court contending the air air quality anaylsis was inadequate and federal officials failed to consider reasonable alternives to the highway. This is a nuisance lawsuit that seeks to thwart the will of the people in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Fortunately, governor-elect Martin O'Malley is committed to completing the essential thoroughfare.The two court challenges reperesnt the outdated thinking of environmental groups that oppose all development projects as a reflex action. Congestion will be relieved by the ICC, thus reducing additional smog production and reducing travel times. An outer beltway would go far in further enhancing the air and travel times in the region. AAEA supported the project during the public hearings. We are sure it will withstand legal scrutiny. We just wish these groups would spend their time and resources on real solutions to air pollution in the region instead of relying on anachronistic litigation to impose their faux-green views on the region. (AP, Wash Times, Wash Post)
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