By Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune
Republished from The Texas Tribune under its Creative Commons license.
McALLEN, Texas – A section of border wall that the federal government planned to build along a South Texas wildlife refuge could instead cut through the refuge as officials seek to resolve a legal dispute over the project.
The federal government is considering changing plans for a border wall it intended to build on a levee adjacent to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. The possible change follows a dispute in which government contractors are accused of trespassing on property near the refuge owned by Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2.
At an Oct. 14 federal court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Duke said the government was examining a proposal to move the wall from the irrigation district’s property and through the wildlife refuge. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson did not confirm the agency was considering that relocation, but said CBP remained committed to border security at the refuge and was coordinating with relevant partners.
In July, CBP moved forward with plans for 2.8 miles of border wall on a levee adjacent to the refuge. The irrigation district later alleged that contractors entered its property without permission, including land it owns along an irrigation canal. The district sued two contractors in September, and a temporary restraining order remains in place.
District officials have said the wall’s placement could make canal maintenance and repairs more difficult. Their attorney told the court the concern could be resolved by moving the wall 15 to 20 feet south of the proposed alignment.
The 2,000-acre Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge sits along the Rio Grande south of Alamo and has long been a focal point in border-wall debates. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said he was concerned by reports of a possible reroute through the refuge and called for transparency about the alignment, funding, environmental effects and alternatives.
