Strange Project Risks: Mystery Woodpecker Halts $320 Million Project

Here's one that probably won't turn up on anyone's project risk template. The $320 Million Grand Prairie Irrigation Project, being led by the Army Corps of Engineers in Arkansas, has just been put to a halt by a federal judge because a rare, thought-to-be-extinct (and maybe still extinct) woodpecker was allegedly sighted two years ago.

The ivory-billed woodpecker was apparently spotted by a kayaker in 2004, which triggered a series of petitions and lawsuits by environmentalists to stop the project. The bird hasn't been seen since. Of course, I'm sure there are environmental issues beyond just the woodpecker, but the woodpecker seems to be the driver behind the decision.

According to the Houston Chronicle, about $80 Million has been spent so far, with a goal of delivering water to farmers by 2010 or 2011.

Here's the story...

Woodpecker Halts Ark. Irrigation Project - NEWS - US NATIONAL - Comcast.net