U.S.-Mexico Border Wall Causes “Significant Damage and Destruction” to Environment and Cultural Sites, New Report Finds

The U.S.-Mexico border wall constructed during former President Donald Trump’s administration has caused “significant damage and destruction” to the environment and cultural sites, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

The 72-page report outlines the environmental and cultural impacts of the wall, which was built to deter illegal crossings and activity. The wall has desecrated Indigenous cultural sites, hurt wildlife, destroyed vegetation, dried up key water resources, exacerbated the risk of flooding, and triggered erosion that has left mountain slopes “unstable and at risk of collapse.”

The report also states that the wall has hampered the migration of endangered species, eroded federal lands, disrupted water flow, and “irreparably” damaged sacred tribal sites. The wall has also blocked access to traditional hunting and gathering areas, and disrupted the natural flow of water, which has caused water shortages in some areas.

The report calls for the U.S. government to take action to mitigate the environmental and cultural impacts of the wall. It recommends that the government assess the environmental and cultural impacts of the wall, develop a plan to address the impacts, and provide resources to help Indigenous communities restore and protect their cultural sites.

The report also calls for the government to develop a plan to restore the environment and wildlife habitats affected by the wall, and to ensure that the wall does not impede the migration of endangered species. The report also calls for the government to provide resources to help Indigenous communities restore and protect their cultural sites.

The report serves as a reminder of the significant environmental and cultural impacts of the wall, and the need for the U.S. government to take action to mitigate these impacts.