Texas land official thwarts Biden’s Fish and Wildlife bid to submerge border buoys.
AUSTIN, Texas — Top Land Official Denounces Biden Administration’s Actions
The state’s top land official, Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, has strongly criticized the Biden administration’s attempt to protect a mussel species, calling it a “political” shell game. Buckingham accuses the administration of using the Endangered Species Act as a political tool rather than focusing on true conservation efforts.
Protecting Mussels or Stopping Illegal Immigration?
The controversy stems from Governor Greg Abbott’s deployment of buoys in the U.S.-Mexico water border to curb illegal immigration. The Justice Department took action to shut down these buoys, citing threats to navigation, public safety, and humanitarian concerns. In response, the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service listed two species of freshwater mussels, including the Mexican fawnsfoot, as endangered.
If successful, this endangerment declaration could force Abbott to remove the buoys and prevent further installations. Buckingham has sent letters opposing this federal action, expressing concerns about the negative impact on the state’s mineral, oil, and gas revenues, as well as the economy.
Concerns Raised by Texas Congressman
House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, a Republican, has criticized the government’s focus on mussels while illegal immigration continues. He questions why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not equally concerned about the impact of millions of migrants crossing the Rio Grande illegally.
Economic Impact and Defiance
Buckingham emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of designating the Rio Grande as a “critical habitat” for mussels. She highlights the potential negative effects on land, water, and energy resources, as well as the lives of landowners, ranchers, and farmers. Abbott, facing legal troubles from Mexico and the Biden administration, has refused to remove the buoys, further escalating the conflict.
Despite the ongoing dispute, the issue of illegal immigration remains a pressing concern for Texas, with record-high numbers of encounters at the southern border since 2021.
Source: The Washington Examiner
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