Court Deals Arizona Telescope a Setback
SAN FRANCISCO — In a setback for construction of a powerful telescope on an Arizona mountain peak, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that more study of the effect on an endangered red squirrel is needed.
Upholding a lower court decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, 2 to 1, that the University of Arizona had moved the site of the third planned Mt. Graham telescope away from the location specified by Congress, and therefore must obtain a new environmental review.
University officials have said further delays could kill the $60-million project.
The first two telescopes have been built. The third would be one of the most powerful in the world.
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