Wetlands and rare mussels could be the best block to the Navy's plans to build a practice airfield in northeastern North Carolina.

The word from representatives of opponents to the Outlying Landing Field, or OLF, came a few days after the Navy said it would delay the release of an environmental impact study until spring, the Virginian Pilot reports.

The study was expected to name the Navy's preferred airfield site from among five - three in Virginia and two in North Carolina.

Wetlands at both North Carolina sites have been underestimated and the necessary permits could be denied, according to a July 21 letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Navy. The letter was released by a firm hired by Camden and Currituck counties to oppose the field.

The Navy has been told "several times" about this deficiency in their environmental study so far, the letter said.

In Gates County, a study in the Chowan River found a mussel listed as endangered in North Carolina — the Lampsilis cariosa, or yellow lampmussel — and five others listed as threatened.

That study was done for Gates County residents who oppose the field.

Here are the five biggest local earmark requests:

Returning Soldiers Barracks. U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge requested $88 million to build new barracks for soldiers transitioning to civilian life at Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg Road. Rep. Larry Kissell requested $84.7 million to extend Murchison Road through Fort Bragg. (Reps. Etheridge and Mike McIntyre asked for $35 million.)

Wilmington Harbor. Rep. McIntyre asked for $78 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen Wilmington Harbor.

Cape Fear Locks. Rep. McIntyre asked for $41 million for the Corps of Engineers to repair locks and dams on the Cape Fear River.

Military Readiness. Rep. Kissell requested $40 million to conduct military readiness testing and training activities at Fort Bragg.

As noted previously, Rep. G.K. Butterfield also requested submarines and aircraft carriers for the military that watchdog groups do not consider earmarks.

What has the N.C. Military Foundation accomplished?

Since Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue started the nonprofit to promote defense spending in North Carolina in 2006, it has worked on a number of different projects:

Helping Contractors: In November of 2007, it held a summit for 250 construction contractors with Major Gen. Bo Temple of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Rear Adm. Chris Mossey of the Naval Facilities Atlantic to learn about future base expansions.

Introducing Australians: In December of 2007, it brought two members of the Australian embassy to a luncheon with 70 business leaders in Raleigh to learn about future business opportunities under a pending defense treaty.

Promoting Veterans: In 2008, the foundation worked with the N.C. Military Business Center to create a database for employers considering hiring former military personnel for civilian jobs and explain military job skills.

Executive Director Will Austin said the foundation's method is to educate business and military leaders about ways to make the state more military friendly.

"We're trying to bring people together," he said.