Contractors building the border wall in New Mexico have been ordered to stop drilling wells due to drought concerns from local cattle ranchers. The Trump administration has instructed border wall contractors in New Mexico to cease drilling new wells, following complaints from ranchers who fear that the pumping of groundwater could threaten their livestock.

Background

The construction of the border wall has been a contentious issue, with controversies arising in Texas and California. In New Mexico, cattle ranchers have expressed concerns that the drilling of wells for the border wall construction could exacerbate the existing drought conditions. Russell Johnson, a cattle rancher whose property runs along the border, raised the issue at a public meeting in July after noticing an industrial well on land he leases for grazing.

The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer has reported that eight wells were drilled without permission along the southern border. The office has cautioned that there could be more unauthorized wells. The federal contractors building the wall in New Mexico, Caddell Construction Co. and Fisher Industries, did not respond to requests for comment.

Response from Authorities

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that the agency is committed to working collaboratively with local landowners to ensure that construction activities do not adversely impact their water needs. CBP has instructed border wall contractors in New Mexico to stop drilling new wells, but did not comment on whether the wells already drilled could be pumped.

Tom Patterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, emphasized that water is the primary concern for ranchers. He questioned why the contractors need to drill new wells, suggesting that they could purchase water from local farmers, ranchers, or municipalities instead.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.