Environmentalists sued a federal conservation agency over its findings that extending a toll road in Orange and San Diego counties won't harm endangered wildlife.
The Natural Resources Defense Council asked a federal court in San Diego Wednesday to require U.S. Fish and Wildlife to issue a new opinion about the impact that would be caused by 16 miles of road. NRDC accused Fish and Wildlife of succumbing to pressures from the Transportation Corridor Agencies, which finances and builds Orange County's toll roads.
Fish and Wildlife stands by its review, agency spokeswoman Jane Hendron said.
The state's Coastal Commission blocked construction of the road in February. The U.S. Commerce Department is reviewing that decision.
