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The city of San Diego has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, accusing federal authorities of unlawfully installing razor-wire fencing inside a city-owned wildlife preserve near the southern border, a move the city says is scarring protected land and violating environmental law.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in California federal court, centers on Marron Valley, a property San Diego has owned for more than a century. City officials say the project is blocking San Diego from meeting its obligations under the Multiple Species Conservation Program, which governs the preservation of sensitive habitats.

A Conservation Site Turned Construction Zone

According to the complaint, the land was formally designated in 1997 as “critical environmental habitat” under the Cornerstone Lands Conservation Bank Agreement, entered into by the city, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“The construction of and access to where the border barrier has been and is being constructed has done and is doing damage to wildlife habitats,” the city alleged, including areas that support endangered and otherwise protected species.

San Diego says it never authorized federal use of the property. The city claims it expects construction of the border barrier to be completed as soon as next week unless the court intervenes.

Claims of Trespass and Environmental Harm

In its filing, the city is seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to halt the work. The lawsuit accuses federal officials of trespass, creating a public nuisance, and violating the Administrative Procedure Act.

Named as defendants are DHS, the U.S. Department of Defense, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Rodney Scott, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The city says it was unaware that U.S. Marines planned to install razor wire until December, when it “discovered” federal agents, contractors and military personnel operating on the land. Officials later observed roughly a dozen members of the U.S. Marines and National Guard erecting three rows of concertina wire fencing across the site.

Alleged Damage to Land and Wildlife

San Diego alleges the crews left a trail of environmental damage behind — driving vehicles through brush and waterways, installing stakes and spikes, and leaving trash such as wire and wooden pallets scattered across the habitat. Tire tracks carved through sensitive areas, the city said, compounding the impact on protected species.

In a statement released Tuesday, City Attorney Heather Ferbert said San Diego is drawing a hard line.

“We will not allow federal agencies to disregard the law and damage city property,” Ferbert said. “We are taking decisive action to protect sensitive habitats, uphold environmental commitments, and ensure that the rights and resources of our community are respected.”

Federal officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Legal Representation

San Diego is represented by Ian Williamson, Heather Ferbert, Jean Jordan and Julie Rau of the city’s Office of the City Attorney. Counsel information for the federal government was not immediately available.