Environmental groups are up in arms after the Army Corps of Engineers felled a wildlife preserve at the Sepulveda Basin in California.

The Audubon Society, the Sierra Club and Friends of the Los Angeles River members said the area was filled with greenery and wildlife a few weeks ago. But the government agency bulldozed 43 acres of the area, which the Army Corps said was a drug-dealing and sex-trafficking hub.

"The Army Corps of Engineers has come in here and basically destroyed what was a thriving habitat for animals and for people to come enjoy the environment. And what we have now is basically a war zone," said one activist.

The Regional Water Quality Control Board has asked the agency for an explanation. The Army Corps reportedly said it would respond to the request (KABC News, Jan. 13). -- WW