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More Border Environment Stories

A toppled saguaro in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on Dec. 21, 2019.

Groups offer support for conservationists challenging border wall construction

Local governments, archaeologists and others have filed briefs supporting a challenge to the waiver of laws for border wall construction.
El Pinacate

Conservation groups to UNESCO: Border wall puts Sonora's World Heritage sites 'in danger'

The groups are urging the agency to declare the cratered landscape known as El Pinacate "in danger" due to border wall construction.
A construction worker works on installing 30-foot bollard fencing along Arizona's border with Mexico in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, February 2020.

Controlled blasts for border wall project draw criticism

Critics say they threaten cultural sites that belong to the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Cottonwoods along the San Pedro River channel cut down for pending border wall construction across the river in February 2020.

Cochise County removes rented dumpsters used for San Pedro River border wall prep

The contract said the dumpsters were intended for another location, according to the county.
Quitobaquito pond is fed from the nearby Quitobaquito Springs. Recent construction activity near the site has drawn concern from environmental groups.

More concern, outrage over border wall's impact on sensitive desert lands

A recently bulldozed strip of desert has sparked another wave of criticism over the construction of President Trump's border wall.
Demonstrators gather Sunday, Jan. 26 to protest the construction of border wall across the San Pedro River.

Hundreds protest planned border wall across the San Pedro River

Many are worried about how the proposed barrier would impact a vital waterway and wildlife migration corridor.
Construction on new border wall fencing at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in September, 2019.

Grijalva asks feds to 'respect tribal lands' during border construction

U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva is asking the Department of Homeland Security to formally consult with the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Army Corps of Engineers contractors pour concrete in August for the base of a new section of border wall near Yuma. The Department of Homeland Security waived environmental and other regulations on 90 miles of Arizona's border last year to smooth the way for border wall construction projects.

Feds waived environment, other regs on 90 miles of state border in 2019

The waivers were aimed at streamlining wall construction on nearly one-quarter of Arizona's border with Mexico.
A video shot by wildlife biologist Rosemary Schiano of groundwater drilling near border wall construction close to Quitobaquito Springs on Dec. 16, 2019.

Video shows groundwater pumping for border wall near Quitobaquito Springs

Conservationists worry pumping will harm a rare and critical desert water source.
A spring-fed pond at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, a stone's throw from the U.S.-Mexico border. This property is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Border wall construction continues across sensitive lands in Arizona

Contractors are working on new border wall east of Douglas, which will cross the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge.
Artist wears a mask representing the jackrabbit at a protest against more border wall construction.

Animal-masked artists protest construction of border wall

A group of Tucson artists staged an art performance near Lukeville last Sunday.
A cement batch site on a rancher's property east of Douglas leased by Southwest Valley Constructors for border wall construction.

Border wall construction in Arizona moves ahead

Preparations for more construction are underway near Douglas and on the San Pedro River.
Construction on new border wall fencing at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in September, 2019.

Park Service: New border wall will threaten critical archaeological sites

A report by the agency details impacted sites in Arizona's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Verónica Reyes-Escudero examines photos from the de la Torre family collection at UA Special Collections.

UA Special Collections: Preserving the Stories

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The TUSD's ongoing debate about expanding sex education; Is there any hope left for the 2019 monsoon?; and has Arizona's "stupid motorist law" increased flash flood safety?
Quitobaquito pond is fed from the nearby Quitobaquito Springs.

New border wall could further deplete groundwater supplies

Some scientists and conservationists worry the water needs of the new border wall could put a valuable desert oasis at risk.
Rancher John Ladd opens a gate on his property where it meets the U.S.-Mexico border fence.

‘Build the wall’ across the San Pedro River? Many say ‘no’

Disparate groups agree that walling off Arizona's last free-flowing river is a bad idea.

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