President Biden’s decision to halt all work on the border wall has caused environmental damage, according to a new report. The stoppage of construction has prevented the completion of remediation work that was planned to repair the lands. Erosion has now become a major issue, undermining the integrity of the panels that were installed by contractors. In addition, the halt in construction has led to the destruction of habitat, disruption of migratory routes, and damage to cultural sites along the border.
The broad order issued by President Biden to halt all wall activities meant that contractors stopped working on remediation efforts such as installing drainage culverts and repairing floodplains. This has resulted in erosion occurring adjacent to the border barrier, threatening its integrity. It has also affected sites in California, where erosion is undermining the wall.
The previous administration was criticized for disregarding environmental laws, damaging the land, and neglecting collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments. However, the halt in construction by the Biden administration has made some of these problems worse. For example, in Arizona, the watering and nurturing of transplanted cacti, which were moved to make way for the wall, were discontinued, leading to the loss of many of these iconic plants.
The Biden administration is now planning for restoration work, but its actions, including the cancellation of the national emergency declared by the previous administration, are hindering progress. An environmental impact assessment will now be required before repairs can begin. In the meantime, conditions at project sites continue to deteriorate, and the $50 million allocated for environmental repairs is unlikely to be sufficient.
Despite the impact on the environment, the Border Patrol agency defends its decision-making, stating that the trade-off between environmental concerns and national security goals is justified. The report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests that CBP and the Department of the Interior need to develop a better strategy for protecting cultural and natural resources impacted by wall construction.
In conclusion, the halt in border wall construction by the Biden administration has led to erosion and other environmental damage, undermining the integrity of the wall and causing harm to the ecosystem. The administration is now faced with the challenge of restoring the affected areas and preventing further damage.
[Focus Keyword: Biden’s Border Wall Construction Halt]
