
UNAUTHORIZED CATTLE GRAZING AT THE AGUA FRIA NATIONAL MONUMENT IN ARIZONA IS DAMAGING THE HABITAT OF TWO ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THIS COMES ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY-
WHICH HAS BEEN DOCUMENTING THE ISSUE SINCE 2021.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP RELEASED NEW EVIDENCE THIS WEEK PURPORTEDLY SHOWING THE IMPACTS THIS HAS HAD FOR A FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR-
ON THE GILA CHUB FISH AND WESTERN YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO-
BOTH PROTECTED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
UP TO 75 PERCENT OF ARIZONA’S WILDLIFE SPECIES DEPEND ON HABITATS LIKE WHAT THE MONUMENT PROVIDES-
BUT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE STATE’S LAND ACTUALLY PROVIDES THOSE SUITABLE CONDITIONS.
ACTIVISTS CLAIM GRAZING ACTIVITIES ARE HARMING RIVERBANKS, DESTROYING NATIVE PLANTS, CONTAMINATING STREAMS, AND DISTURBING ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES WITHIN AGUA FRIA.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY SAID FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT HAVE BOTH FAILED TO PREVENT THIS-
DESPITE LEGAL PROTECTIONS IN PLACE REQUIRING THESE GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO DO SO WHEN ENDANGERED SPECIES ARE BEING THREATENED.
THE ORGANIZATION HAS FILED MULTIPLE LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AGAINST THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.
THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT LEGAL ACTION RESULTED IN FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAYING THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER-
BUT AFTER ADDITIONAL HABITAT LOSS WAS STILL BEING RECORDED-
THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY FILED ANOTHER SUIT IN 2024 SEEKING TO HAVE CATTLE BE REMOVED FROM THE AREA.
IN A STATEMENT ABOUT THE ONGOING LITIGATION PUT OUT THIS WEEK-
THE GROUP HIGHLIGHTED SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL HARM OCCURRING AT A LOCATION WITHIN THE MONUMENT CALLED HORSHOE RANCH.
THIS FACILITY WAS PURCHASED BY THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT IN 2010 USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS SPECIFICALLY FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION.
HOWEVER, SURVEYS SHOW THE SAME GRAZING DAMAGE AFFECTING THE REST OF AGUA FRIA IS ALSO PRESENT AT HORSESHOE RANCH.
THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY WARNS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AT THE MONUMENT IS CRITICAL TO PREVENTING FURTHER HARM TO SPECIES ALREADY AT RISK OF EXTINCTION IN THE SOUTHWEST.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M JACK AYLMER.