Plans to build a mega-resort on the old Calverton Airport land have been temporarily grounded by the presence of an endangered species.

The proposed billion-dollar project includes plans to build an indoor ski slope, eight hotels, condos and a man-made lake. Riverhead officials say it is the largest real estate deal in the town?s history.

Before moving forward with development, town officials and developers now have to come up with a plan to accommodate the short-eared owl. The owl is on the state?s endangered species list. Environmentalists, as well as the state?s Department of Environmental Conservation, say a few of the owls have been spotted on the 2,900-acre site.

The DEC says it is too early to tell what needs to be done to protect the owl. Meanwhile, Riverhead Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale and Dick Amper, of the Pine Barrens Society, believe a compromise can be worked out.

Related Information:Riverheadofficials push ski resort plan forward