Seeking Input on Border Barrier Remediation in Tucson, AZ

Para solicitar esta información en español, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a  TucsonComments@cbp.dhs.gov 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking your input on proposed remediation activities associated with the construction of border barrier in Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, within the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Tucson Sector. Specifically, CBP is seeking input and information to the following questions:

• Are there any other immediate actions that are needed to address life and safety issues, including the protection of the public, Border Patrol agents, and nearby communities from potential harms, and avert further environmental damage or degradation as a result of border barrier construction since 2019?

• Are there best practices the remediation contractor should follow when implementing these activities beyond those previously provided and standard BMP's implemented at every project site?

• Do you have any mitigation or restoration recommendations for a specific area or point of disturbance? If so, please click the specific feature on the map below to provide associated feedback.

The comment period is now closed. Feedback will be reviewed and incorporated into direction to the contractors or formal contract modifications. Following the comment period, CBP will award remediation contracts, and work is estimated to begin as soon as 30 to 60 days following award. It is anticipated that remediation work will take approximately 12 to 28 months.

This StoryMap depicts the conditions of the border barrier projects as of July 2021 and proposed remediation strategies.

Below is a list of terms with their definition and potential remediation action:

Cattle Guard – A metal grid located on a road that allows for pedestrian and vehicles to pass but prohibit the passage of cattle and other animals. Some existing cattle guards were damaged by heavy equipment.

• Damaged cattle guards will be replaced.

Culvert – A drainage crossing along a patrol road or access road. Some culverts are incomplete resulting in areas that are unsafe for vehicles along the patrol road.

• All drainage crossings will be protected by appropriate measures such as, but not limited to, articulated concrete block, concrete pavement, inlets/outlets, culverts, roadside ditches, debris posts, or a combination thereof.

Disturbed Area – Area that has experienced visible disturbance due to construction. It exhibits vegetation clearing and often depicts equipment or vehicle tracks.

• Areas outside the 60-foot Roosevelt Reservation and established patrol road will be reseeded in accordance with specifications provided by Federal land managers.

Erosion – Sediment that is worn away along the side of an access road, patrol road, or staging area that currently poses or is expected to pose a risk to human safety.

• Short-term and long-term erosion control measures will include installation of rip rap and other embankment/slope stabilization along slopes and drainages.

Gate – Opening in the border barrier that can be closed and secured. Gate types include manual lift gates and swing gates. Some gates are missing hardware or have been welded shut.

• Complete and repair gates within the border barrier including removing welds and replacing missing hardware.

Low Water Crossing – A drainage crossing along a patrol or access road that has been cemented or has installed rip rap, but no culvert is present. In some cases, these low water crossings are incomplete resulting in flooding or areas that are impassable.

• All drainage crossings will be protected by appropriate measures such as, but not limited to, articulated concrete block, concrete pavement, inlets/outlets, culverts, roadside ditches, debris posts, or a combination thereof.

Other – A feature that could not be classified in any of the established feature types. See Comments field by clicking the Other icon on the map for feature description.

• Remediation strategy will vary at each location.

Patrol Road Extension – Area outside the 60-foot Roosevelt Reservation that was disturbed and used for construction traffic or material storage.

• Disturbed areas outside the Roosevelt Reservation will be reseeded in accordance with specifications provided by Federal land managers.

Pond – Water storage created for construction purposes. Usually located near a well.

• Retention ponds will be filled.

Road – The area created or widened to allow for construction traffic and border patrol operations.

• CBP will work with USBP and other relevant agencies to determine which construction roads will be retained and which will be decommissioned. Some roads will be repaired and/or restored in accordance with previously established agreements with Federal land managers.

Rockfall – Rocks that have been pushed down a slope. Cuts were made into hillsides in order to build the barrier and associated patrol and maintenance roads. In some cases, these cuts were not stabilized resulting in rocks falling or having the potential to fall.

• Short-term and long-term erosion control measures will include installation of rip rap and other embankment/slope stabilization along slopes and drainages.

Small Wildlife Opening – An 8.5 x 11 inch opening cut in the bollards of the border barrier to be used as a small wildlife crossing. In some places, small wildlife openings were planned but not installed.

• Additional small wildlife passages will be installed in previously identified areas.

Staging Area – Areas used to store materials and vehicles to be used in constructing the border barrier.

• Areas outside the Roosevelt Reservation will be reseeded in accordance with specifications provided by Federal land managers.

The comment period is now closed.