NEW ORLEANS -- The construction of the new City Park golf course continues to be under fire as a local coalition files a federal lawsuit against City Park and FEMA.
The City Park for Everyone Coalition is asking the court to order an injunction that ceases construction of the $13 million golf course. The group claims that City Park and FEMA are going to be illegally building on top of protected urban wetlands.
"There also plenty of wildlife and vegetation that are unique to wetlands that are, we believe, being displaced, but of course have not been able to get the documentation yet in that front, but we do hope to do an investigation," said the group's attorney, Galen Hair.
Hair believes by filing this lawsuit, it will help open up more conversation with City Park about the progression of the project.
"I would definitely propose that the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association potentially hold additional open meetings, potentially several meetings, for this exact purpose and essentially dial back and roll back on the action that they've already taken and start this process over" said Hair.
In response, City Park released the following statement:
"The City Park golf project was thoroughly reviewed by FEMA and was authorized to proceed through a Finding of No Significant Impact. The Corps of Engineers and the State issued all the necessary permits and authorizations to move forward with the project. The State has a signed contract in place to build the course, and the contractor is doing the work presently."
From this point the coalition says they still plan to move forward with the lawsuit.
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