U.S. Judge Allows Levee Demolition to Proceed

A federal judge Monday refused to halt the destruction of the Deer Creek levee, the second defeat in less than a week for environmentalists and neighbors who are fighting to block a developer from razing the 70-year-old embankment to make way for 40 houses.

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan denied a restraining order sought by Defenders of Wildlife, an environmental group based in Washington, D.C., and the Virginia-based National Wildlife Federation, which allege that federal officials are unlawfully allowing destruction of U.S. property by letting the development go through.

Critics of the project contend the levee would protect homes from flooding should the nearby Deer Creek Debris Basin overflow in a catastrophic 100-year flood event.