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Wide-ranging concerns about the border wall's impacts were raised nearly a year ago by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials in written comments to Customs and Border Protection. Top officials found that 23 endangered, threatened, or at-risk species could be living in areas impacted by the wall in just two counties.
Environmentalists, researchers, and government officials agree that sweeping impacts resulting from the wall’s presence and construction are expected on mammals, birds, fish and insects, both endangered and non endangered. The environmental impacts will occur in regions of the borderlands that have been recognized as one of the most biologically diverse areas of the U.S.
Experts cite a variety of direct negative impacts on ecosystems, including habitat fragmentation, population isolation, prevention of gene flow, water reductions from groundwater pumping, and the prevention of pronghorn migration.
In the context of long-term climate changes, a lead scientist from the Sky Island Alliance said, “it will never be more important for these animals to move from habitats and move across the landscape.”
New Trump nuclear plan could revive Grand Canyon uranium mining
Last week, Trump administration officials recommended an overhaul of nuclear policy. Recommendations included pursuing new mines, especially in the West.
Plateaus close to the Grand Canyon are where mining companies have wanted to unearth uranium for years. New Grand Canyon mining claims have been barred since 2012, but many tribes and environmentalists fear that the continued push for domestic uranium may lead to new mines next to the Grand Canyon.
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“One day we’re going to look up and our livelihoods and our hunting traditions and our outdoors spaces are going to be really hard to maintain. And that’s troublesome for a lot of us who really highly value having wildlife and wild places.”
