ACTION ALERT: Tell CBP to prioritize wildlife over the border wall

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking your input on proposed border barrier construction remediation actions in Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties, AZ.

This is a chance to tell CBP to prioritize wildlife over the border wall, and input is due by February 3.

Here is CBP’s Border Barrier Remediation Plan and Submission Guidelines. This is the interactive map of CBP’s Remediation Plan. Note, however, that this does not include many areas for which remediation may be necessary. (See below.).

Sky Island Alliance has more information and is offering a webinar on Friday, January 28 at 1:30pm Arizona time to discuss Key Messages and Comment Writing on the Border Barrier Remediation Plan. You can register here. [Notes and a recording from this session have been added below.]

CBP is accepting comments until February 3, 2022. Comments can be submitted for a particular feature on the StoryMap or emailed to CBP at TucsonComments@cbp.dhs.gov. Please include “Tucson Remediation Plan Comments” in the subject of your email. Comments received by CBP, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become a part of the public record.

You may also provide comments, questions, or concerns by calling 1-800-514-0638 or by mail: US Customs and Border Protection, US Border Patrol Headquarters, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039, Washington, DC 20229-1100.

This is a significant opportunity to affect wildlife and intact habitats here. We hope you will participate, and we will continue to give updates here and on Facebook.

1/28/22 UPDATE:

The following resources have been provided by the Sky Island Alliance and Wildlands Network:

• Sky Island Alliance Act now page
  • PDF of talking points and key messaging (This is a highly useful document if you are submitting comments.)
  • Annotated Google map prepared by Sky Island Alliance and Wildlands Network  (Note: This is separate from CBP’s Storymap and contains additional important information that CBP omitted.)
  • Recording of Key Messages and Comment Writing webinar

Other resources you may find useful:

• Wildlands Network’s 2021 StoryMap on the history of the border barriers
• Center for Biological Diversity’s 2017 report “A Wall in the Wild” (includes species of concern)

2/1/22 UPDATE:

CRC has submitted these comments.