The city says U.S. Marines trespassed on city land to install fencing that damages sensitive habitat in an area designated as conservation land.
San Diego is suing the federal government over new razor wire fencing installed near the Mexico border, reports Deborah Brennan for CALmatters. The city claims the fence “damages sensitive habitat and trespasses on city property.” The property in question is part of San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program and the Cornerstone Lands Conservation Bank Agreement.
The lawsuit is aimed at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other federal officials, and argues that U.S. Marines illegally trespassed on city land to build the fences in December.
According to Brennan, “The fences caused ‘irreparable harm to protected plant and wildlife habitats, riparian areas, and vernal pools’ the city argued, saying the fence blocks city access to the site and jeopardizes conservation programs designed to protect that habitat. The city is asking the court to halt any more fence construction and declare the city’s right to ownership and use of the land.”
The Department of Defense declined to comment on the pending litigation, and neither it or DHS have filed responses to the lawsuit yet.
Read the full story: San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land
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