Original story by Associated Press posted on Long Island Business News

Oct. 20, 2014

A New York federal judge has denied a conservationist group’s bid to block part of a Fire Island sand-dune project over an endangered bird.

U.S. District Judge Sandra Feuerstein denied the request from Audubon New York on Friday. Fire Island is a long, thin barrier island that runs parallel to the south shore of Long Island.

The group had sued claiming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ $207 million dune-replenishment project would harm piping plovers by destroying their habitat.

Elected officials said the project was necessary to help protect heavily populated parts of Long Island.

Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton praised the judge’s decision as “a great victory,” and said the dune project is crucial for the protection of low-lying communities.