Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Trump’s border wall expansion bulldozed an ancient Tribal site
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Friday, May 1, 2026
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Russ McSpadden, Center for Biological Diversity ([link removed]ℴ_by=relevance&sort=DESC&archive=)
The Trump administration has bulldozed a rare archaeological site in the Arizona desert, according to reporting from the Washington Post ([link removed]) . The destruction took place within Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, where crews ran heavy machinery over a 1,000-year-old intaglio, a massive ground etching resembling a fish sacred to the Hia-ced O’odham and Tohono O’odham people. The incident ([link removed]) is the latest in a series of cultural and environmental threats ([link removed]) to public lands on the border as the administration uses waivers to bypass federal laws protecting historic sites and the environment.
An anonymous Interior department employee confirmed ([link removed]) the intaglio had been damaged last week as the administration fast-tracked construction of a second set ([link removed]) of border barriers in the area. Richard Martynec, a retired archaeologist who found the site in 2002, suggested officials "knew something special was there" because stakes had been placed directly through the intaglio weeks ago, marking the planned path of construction over the site.
"Somebody is responsible for this, and we all know who that is, and he should be held accountable for it," said Lorrain Marquez Eiler, a Hia-ced O’odham elder ([link removed]) . "He’s getting away with whatever he wants to do. He’s doing it. No one is stopping him."
Residents and Tribal members have expressed concerns ([link removed]) that other important sites are potentially threatened by border wall construction, including Quitobaquito Springs in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which is also home to endangered turtle and fish species, as well as a Native American grave site.
Podcast: The fight against a border wall at Big Bend National Park
In the second part ([link removed]) of our series on the borderlands, Aaron and Lilly are joined by Bob Krumenaker ([link removed]) , former superintendent of Big Bend National Park and current chair of Keep Big Bend Wild ([link removed]) . They discuss the proposal for a border wall through one of America’s national treasures, the bipartisan coalition rallying to stop it, and what’s at stake for the park, communities, and local economy.
** Quick hits
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Highlight reel: The five most bewildering moments from Doug Burgum’s congressional hearings
Westwise ([link removed])
Why a major reorganization at the Forest Service has people concerned
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Taxpayers might pay millions more to fight wildfires as jet fuel skyrockets
OPB ([link removed])
Interior Department orders Grand Teton to reopen decade-old controversy
SFGATE ([link removed])
Opinion: New affordable housing group exposes the lie of public land selloff
Idaho Statesman ([link removed])
White House withdraws nomination of National Parks director
KSL ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service’s first chief shares priorities
Boise State Public Radio ([link removed])
Housing and conservation groups propose guardrails for housing on public lands
KUNC ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Invoking affordable housing is a thoroughly dishonest and disingenuous ruse they have used to attempt to put a bit of shine on their deeply unpopular plans. Don’t get suckered in.”
—Bryan Clark, opinion writer for the Idaho Statesman ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@coparkswildlife ([link removed])
Fly like an eagle 🦅 Bald eagle suspected of being shot by ball bearing takes to the skies once again.
You may remember the story of this eagle, which we posted about in January. Now we are back with an exciting update!
After spending more than 100 days in the care of our friends at the Birds of Prey Foundation and going through a rigorous rehabilitation process, this bald eagle is flying high. It was a long road to recovery for this eagle, which was found with an injured wing on a frozen lake. Once our officers delivered the eagle to the rehab facility, it took time, patience and expertise to provide the proper care.
Following surgery to remove the object, the eagle slowly regained its appetite and eventually regained use of its wing. After undergoing flight training and evaluations, it was determined to be strong enough to make it in the wild again.
Earlier today, we released the eagle at a State Wildlife Area near Northglenn, alongside our partners at the Birds of Prey Foundation and the City of Northglenn.
We are also still seeking tips on the suspected shooting of this eagle. Tips can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Thief (OGT) at 1-877-265-6648. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be contacted at 1-844-397-8477.
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