7 days ago
Interior gifts Navy land in the Arizona desert
The Interior Department announced Wednesday it will shift control of another 285 acres of public land to the military, this time handing over a parcel in southeastern Arizona to the Department of the Navy.
The temporary transfer marks the second time Interior has granted the military administrative powers over land near the nation's border with Mexico. Earlier this year, Interior turned over control of nearly 110,000 acres of public land in New Mexico to speed construction of border barriers and increase federal patrols of the region.
The Trump administration said the newest transfer, which will last for three years, is necessary to create a 'National Defense Area in direct support of border security operations.'
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'By making this land available for border infrastructure improvements and defense operations, we are closing critical security gaps, stopping illegal activity and protecting both our nation and its natural resources from the damage caused by unchecked illegal immigration,' Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
