Army Corps environmental statements rejected, and NEPA §102 favorably construed in Gillham Dam decision

On Feb. 19, 1971, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas permanently enjoined the Army Corps' execution of contracts for the construction of an earth embankment dam across the Cossatot River in Arkansas. See Opinion 1 ELR 20130. The flood control project, of which Gillham Dam is a part, was authorized by Congress in 1958, but construction on the Gillham Dam phase was not begun until 1963. Of the $14,800,000 estimated total cost of the Gillham Dam and Reservoir project, $9,496,000 had been expended prior to the filing of this suit.