The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida is still trying to stop the construction of a bridge in the Everglades, its homelands.

The tribe calls the $81 million bridge a waste of money that will flood traditional sites. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just awarded a contract for construction on the project.

The tribe had won a court order that stopped work. But a federal judge said project could proceed because Congress eased environmental standards through a provision in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Money for the bridge came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The tribe is appealing the case. The Army Corps expects construction to start in four weeks.

Get the Story:
Tribe opposing Everglades road work (The Sarasota Herald Tribune 10/1)

FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act:
H.R.1105 | Text and Explanatory Statement

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
H.R.1 | S.1

Related Stories:
Editorial: Miccosukee Tribe wrong on Everglades (08/28)
Judge allows bridge opposed by Miccosukee Tribe (6/18)
Fox News: Miccosukee Tribe on 'bridge to nowhere' (3/9)
Blog: Miccosukee Tribe battles Everglades bridge (3/6)
Miccosukee Tribe opposes Everglades provision (2/26)