Border Wall Crews Ordered to Stop Drilling Wells in New Mexico

The agency confirmed Monday that contractors have been instructed to halt drilling new wells while it works with state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a long-term groundwater strategy. "CBP is committed to working collaboratively with local landowners to ensure that construction activities do not adversely impact their water needs, the agency said, without saying whether already-drilled wells can pump. Russell Johnson, whose ranch borders the construction zone, said an industrial well on grazing land he leases could pump up to 300 gallons per minute, versus three to seven gallons per minute from his 12 wells.

"It would put us in an immediate catastrophe and having to do something with our livestock, he said. The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer said investigators found eight wells drilled along the southern border without state approval, with two pumping about 200 gallons per minute in July. Tom Patterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, noted that during Trump's first term, contractors bought water from farms, ranches, and local governments instead of drilling. Why do they need all this water?