Arizona has joined about 20 other states in suing the Trump administration, over what they are calling a rollback of protections outlined in the Endangered Species Act.
The Department of Interior posted a final rule in July that rescinded protections against harming endangered species habitats. The changes could effectively open those habitats to mining and logging.
At the time, the agency said rescinding the rule would end federal overreach.
The suing states say the Trump administration is abusing its discretion and violating the Endangered Species Act.
The lawsuit states there are 75 endangered species that live in Arizona, including jaguars and Mexican gray wolves, that could have their habitats harmed by the rule change.
More Arizona animal news
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Conservationists argue there are only a little more than 300 Mexican gray wolves, and they continue to need protection.
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The letter comes after an August roundup in northwest Colorado, where the BLM gathered 894 wild horses. Nine died in the operation.
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Live cattle imports from Mexico were again halted after a more than year-long pause to protect against the New World screwworm. Now, the border is back open in Douglas.
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In the Sonoran Sky Islands region, one organization is working to bring back native species. But it’s running up against a lengthening border wall.
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A decision from the United Nations’ cultural preservation body, UNESCO, calls for a mission to the Sonora desert nature reserve to assess the impacts of the border wall.