"Lawsuit Accuses FEMA of Ignoring Species Threats"

"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is being sued again over accusations that it violated the Endangered Species Act by issuing flood insurance without determining whether development would impact imperiled plants and animals.

WildEarth Guardians said Wednesday it filed a lawsuit against FEMA in federal court in New Mexico that claims the agency's National Flood Insurance Program encourages development in flood plains without determining whether threatened or endangered species would be harmed."

Susan Montoya Bryan reports for the Associated Press September 16, 2009.

Source: AP, 09/17/2009