Federal wetlands permit suspended for disputed road through Alaska wildlife refuge

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended a wetlands-fill permit on August 26 for a controversial 18.9-mile road project planned to cross through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, following a federal judge's August 18 decision to overturn a land trade necessary for the road's construction.

State transportation officials dispute the permit suspension's scope and say they still plan to begin construction in September on an initial 2.8-mile section they argue does not require the suspended permit. Legal dispute over the extent of the suspension remains unresolved.