(San Diego County, California) In 2004, a new military cemetery was scheduled to open at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Unfortunately, an environmental review found fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus vernalis) at the site, an endangered species since 1997. The present promise is that the cemetery will take its first burials in 2010. Cost of the six-year delay wasn't reported.
In 2006, the new Salk Elementary School in Mira Mesa was expected to open but construction was delayed after fairy shrimp were found at the proposed site. Salk Elementary is now scheduled to open in 2010.
Last month, construction of the new Vista Del Mar Elementary School on a vacant lot in Otay Mesa was officially delayed because, you guessed it, fairy shrimp were found in road ruts on the proposed site. According to an official with the San Ysidro School District, Karl Christensen, it's now expected to take 18 months to come up with a federally-approved fairy shrimp protection plan.
In conclusion, the fairy shrimp, though classified as endangered, are prevalent enough to stop construction on two schools and a cemetery with the taxpayers having to foot the bills for project delays.
Frankly, when an animal shows up all over the area, I suggest that it's classification as endangered should be reconsidered.
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