The Trump administration has ordered contractors building a border wall in New Mexico to stop drilling new wells after ranchers raised concerns that groundwater pumping for construction could worsen drought conditions and threaten their livestock.
The move comes as crews work to expand border barriers across four states as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. The project has received billions in federal funding and has faced criticism from residents, environmental groups and local officials over various impacts.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees construction, has said water is needed for concrete production, road construction and controlling dust. However, ranchers in southern New Mexico say water supplies are already under strain due to ongoing drought, forcing some to reduce their cattle herds.
Russell Johnson, a rancher whose property borders the construction area, raised concerns after discovering an industrial well that workers said could pump hundreds of gallons of water per minute. He said the amount of water needed for construction could have devastating effects on local ranchers who rely on groundwater.
CBP said contractors have been directed to stop drilling additional wells in New Mexico and that the agency will work with state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a groundwater management plan. The agency said it wants to ensure construction does not negatively affect local landowners’ water supplies.
The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer said several wells connected to border wall construction were drilled without required state approval. Officials said they identified at least eight wells along the southern border that lacked permits and found some were capable of pumping hundreds of gallons per minute.
The wells were drilled on a federally owned strip of land known as the Roosevelt Reservation, located north of the international border. Questions remain about whether federal agencies can extract groundwater from the land without state oversight.
Ranchers said water availability is their biggest concern, warning that once wells run dry, recovery can be difficult. Some questioned why contractors could not purchase water from local farms, ranches or municipalities, as they did during previous border wall construction efforts.
Johnson said the halt on future well drilling is a positive step but remains concerned about wells that have already been installed. He said drought conditions have reduced grazing areas and forced him to shrink his cattle operation to about one-third of its previous size.
While Johnson supports stronger border security and previously worked as a Border Patrol agent, he said the construction should not come at the expense of ranchers’ livelihoods. A section of secondary border wall has already been built near his property.
The dispute has also become a political issue in New Mexico, with candidates for a congressional seat representing the region claiming credit for the decision to halt additional drilling. Republican candidate Greg Cunningham said he pushed for the agreement, while Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez said he raised concerns about protecting the state’s water rights.
Both lawmakers said the issue highlights the importance of balancing border security efforts with the needs of communities affected by construction.
Comments
Post a Comment