The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an appeal filed by a group of environmental groups including the Delaware Riverkeeper and the Delaware Nature Society.

Earlier this month, five environmental groups filed an appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling in late January that cleared the way for a small portion of the the river deepening project to begin.  The groups object to the project because they believe it would harm the environment and put oysters, crabs, birds, and fish in and around the river at  risk.

The Appeals Court ruling says the appellants "failed to meet the standards for an injunction or stay pending appeal."  The ruling clears the way for the first section of dredging work to begin in the area near the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.