What environmental laws were waived to build the border wall in the Rio Grande Valley?

The environmental laws that were waived to facilitate the construction of the border wall in the Rio Grande Valley primarily involved protections for ocelots. The region is home to a small population of endangered ocelots, which are known to inhabit the dense brushlands along the border. Waiving these environmental regulations allowed for expedited construction of the wall, which was advocated for by certain governmental entities seeking to strengthen border security.

The presence of ocelots in the area poses significant environmental concerns, as the species is already at risk due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Waiving laws that protect them aimed to reduce delays in building the wall despite the potential negative impact on this vulnerable population.

While other species like dolphins, bald eagles, and turtles are also subject to environmental protections, they were not specifically highlighted as the primary concern in this instance regarding the waivers for the border wall construction. The focus was predominantly on the ocelots, given their endangered status and the direct impact that wall construction would have on their habitat.