ELR Citation: ELR 20176
No(s). 754 (E.D.N.C. Feb 3, 1973)

The court grants a preliminary injunction against further activity on the Chicod Creek Watershed Project. The court holds the environmental impact statement fails to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act in that it does not fully disclose adverse environmental consequences or discuss reasonable alternatives. In addition, there is substantial probability that the project violates §13 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Here, the plaintiffs must be permitted to enforce §13 as "private attorneys general" since the U.S. Attorney is representing the defendants and in no position to enforce the statute.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
J.G. Speth
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
1710 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20036

Richard J. Wertheimer
Norton F. Tennille Jr.
Arnold & Porter
1229 Nineteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20036

John G. Shaw
Clark, Clark, Shaw & Clark
210 E. Russell St.
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Counsel for Defendant
Warren Coolidge U.S. Attorney
John R. Hughes Ass't U.S. Attorney
U.S. Courthouse
Raleigh, NC

Counsel for Intervenors
Clifton Everett
Everett & Cheatham
Railroad St.
Bethel, NC 27891

Charles B. Winberry
Briggs, Meadows, & Batts
225 So. Franklin
Rocky Mtn., NC 27801

Frank W. Wooten Jr.
113 W. 3rd St.
Greenville, NC 27834