Opinion ID: 164789
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Harm to Plaintiffs

Text: 30 The substantive harm contemplated by § 4(f) is the actual harm to parkland or historic sites that will occur if the Secretary of Transportation does not (1) consider every prudent and feasible alternative to using the land, and (2) make all possible plans to minimize the harm, if use is required. Davis, 302 F.3d at 1115. Environmental harm is, by its nature, generally irreparable. Id. An individual plaintiff can establish that he or she will suffer harm from a construction project by demonstrating adequate proximity to and use of the land in question. Id. The Plaintiffs have certainly established adequate proximity in this case. Plaintiffs live in the area and use the land in question; in fact, many of the historic acequias at issue in this case are actually located on land owned by the Plaintiffs. Any damage to the land or structures along U.S. 70 as a result of the project is likely to cause the Plaintiffs irreparable harm. Moreover, even assuming that the FHWA's determination that the project will not use any protected properties is correct, the Plaintiffs' enjoyment of their land will undoubtedly suffer somewhat as a result of the greater proximity of a major highway.