https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42346.pdf
See p. 22 `Border Security’ and the map showing federal ownership of borderland.
The objections of “environmental impacts” are just claptrap, as are concerns about acquiring the desert land.
“In general, federal efforts to secure the border are subject to the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA),46 which requires agencies to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of
proposed programs, projects, and actions before decisions are made to implement them. They also
are governed by related regulations (40 C.F.R. Part 1500) that require agencies to integrate NEPA
project evaluations with other planning and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure that
planning and decisions reflect environmental values.47 However, the Secretary of the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) has authority under law to waive NEPA and other environmental
laws for construction of fencing and other barriers along the U.S. international borders to deter
illegal crossings.48
There are extensive federal lands along the southwest border. The lands are managed by different
federal agencies under various laws for many purposes, as described above.... “
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43320.pdfDHS
“Waiver Authority
In general, federal agencies are required to review the potential impact of proposed projects on
natural and cultural resources prior to committing resources to a project.18 These environmental
and other review requirements may delay the construction of certain border infrastructure; but
existing law grants DHS broad authority to waive legal requirements that might delay
construction of border barriers.19
Senate-passed S. 744 would grant the DHS Secretary authority to waive any law, as the Secretary
deems necessary, to ensure expeditious construction of barriers, roads, and other infrastructure to
secure the southern border. This provision potentially applies to a broader range of border
infrastructure projects than the waiver authority in current law, but only applies to projects along
the southern border.20 The waiver authority would terminate upon certification by DHS that the
bill’s border fencing and border security strategies have been substantially implemented (see
“Border Security Strategies and Metrics”). Both House-passed H.R. 5230 and H.R. 2278, as
ordered to be reported by the House Judiciary Committee, would also exempt application of
specific laws (previously waived by the Secretary of DHS in 2008 with respect to certain border
construction projects) to CBP border construction projects on all federal lands under DOI and
USDA jurisdiction within 100 miles of U.S. international land borders.21”
So the `rats can squeak until they’re hoarse.
If you will look at the Texas border, The Only Federal land on the map(pg24) is Big Bend National Park.
A lot of private land owners have a stake in this. And a lot of land owners were burned during the last building of the wall.
The remaining land owners are a lot more educated as to their rights.
I just hope that these land owners are treated reasonably in the building of the wall.