By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Bell Bowl Prairie‘s life has been extended for at least an additional three months, Federal Aviation Administration officials confirmed Wednesday.
The Chicago Rockford International Airport has agreed to halt construction until June 1, according to the FAA. It first put the brakes on its $50 million cargo expansion after an endangered rusty patched bumble bee was found on the site in summer, but that work would have initially resumed Tuesday.
Advocates for the rare native gravel prairie had been standing guard outside the construction site this week to try to assure construction didn’t resume.
The FAA said that after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources provided a photo of the bee on Aug. 8, construction was stalled and it began informal consultation discussions under the Endangered Species Act with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services regarding the bee and other species.
Related: ‘We’re not going away’: Bell Bowl Prairie advocates rally outside Rockford airport
“During this consultation, FAA will evaluate whether it needs to conduct an additional environmental review,” the FAA said in a statement shared with the Rock River Current.
The FAA previously issued an environmental assessment finding of “no significant impact” in 2019 for the cargo expansion, and work began in 2020.
Activists rallying to save the prairie hope to convince or force the Airport Authority to redesign its cargo expansion so it can coexist with the prairie.
Related: Prairie watchdogs: Conservationists keep tabs on construction near airport
The Natural Land Institute has sued the FAA, the airport and other agencies claiming they failed to comply with the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. The FAA and federal defendants have filed a motion to dismiss.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.