Dec. 20, 2000-- The federal government clears another hurdle for the proposed Legacy Highway. Now, just one more is needed before the state moves forward with the project.

The Army Corp of Engineers's approval is a major step toward construction of the Legacy project.

But the next step has to be taken by the Environmental Protection Agency, and environmental concerns have been an issue since the highway project was first proposed.

Today's decision is not a final one, but the EPA should respond with a decision within two weeks.

The Army Corp of Engineers report says the Legacy project can move forward and is asking the EPA for final approval on the project.

The state wants to build the Legacy Highway in an area of 114 acres of farmlands and wetlands in Davis County. The proposed 14 mile stretch would be a four-lane highway from Farmington to Salt Lake.

Last month, the Legacy Project got through another roadblock when the Federal Highway Administration gave approval.

While the EPA expressed some concern back in September, the Corp says it has been working closely with the EPA on its concerns and believes this proposal is a viable option.

Opponents of Legacy say they still have faith the EPA will reject the proposal.

Marc Heileson/Sierra Club: "THE CLEAN WATER ACT REQUIRES THE LEAST INTRUSIVE PROPOSAL MUST BE SELECTED. WE FEEL THE CORP HAS NOT SELECTED IT AND WE FEEL IT WAS A MISTAKE."

Opponents also say that if the EPA does give approval, they will go to court to try and block the Legacy Highway.

Meanwhile, UDOT can continue to move forward with plans to start building the parkway.

Again, today's decision is not a final one, but it is clearly a major victory for supporters of the Legacy Highway.