Activists say: Broiler houses would threaten endangered species

Activist groups in Arkansas have filed a notice of intent to sue three federal agencies, claiming they failed to identify the impact of a proposed poultry operation on seven animal and plant species. The Arkansas Rights Koalition and the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Farm Service Agency and the Small Business Administration over the environmental impact on endangered or threatened mussels, bats and plants, the article said.  The activists are taking aim at six new broiler chicken houses planned near Evening Shade, Ark., in the northern part of the state that are among hundreds of such operations being developed