/Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
By Justin Sayers | Arizona Daily Star
The Pima County Board of Supervisors will take part in a lawsuit aimed at curbing construction of the border wall in three Arizona preserves, arguing that the new construction potentially threatens the county’s compliance with a pair of national environmental programs.
The supervisors voted 3-1 during Tuesday’s meeting to participate in the litigation, which was filed by several environmental groups, including the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity. The groups have sued the Trump administration for waiving environmental reviews and other laws to speed up border wall construction through protected areas, including in Pima County. They have sought a decision of the Supreme Court to halt the construction in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.
The vote allows Pima County to participate amicus curiae — as an impartial adviser in the case, without becoming a party to the suit — at no cost to taxpayers. The deadline to submit the brief is March 1.
