Concerns about the impact on a nearby butterfly preserve, a judge in Texas finally shutdown private construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
A ruling by Texas District Judge Keno Vasquez, of Hidalgo County, will stop We Build the Wall from continuing on its unpermitted work on a wall on the banks of the Rio Grande.
Vasquez "ruled that the National Butterfly Center, a 100-acre riverfront preserve in Mission, Tex., could face 'imminent and irreparable harm' if We Build the Wall continues with plans to erect a 'water wall' between the nature refuge and a state park," according to an article by Teo Armus.
We Build the Wall, led by former White House staffer Steve Bannon, had been proceeding without any kind of permitting or permission for a planned three-mile stretch of 18-foot steel fencing.
Brian Kolfage, founder of We Build the Wall, is promising to continue construction despite the judge's ruling. In a related controversy, the contractor working construction on the wall is a favorite of President Trump's, as reported in a separate article published in May 2019.
Read the full story: Right-wing group must stop building private border wall in South Texas, judge says in temporary order
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority