The Department of the Interior has announced it will transfer about 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, to the Department of the Navy for three years. The purpose is to allow the Navy to establish a National Defense Area to assist with ongoing border security operations.
“President Trump has made it clear that securing our border and restoring American sovereignty are top national priorities,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This action delivers on that commitment. By working with the Navy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use, and advancing the President’s agenda to put the safety and security of the American people first.”
The area being transferred runs from the western edge of Otay Mountain Wilderness Area to about one mile west of the California–Arizona state line. This corridor is known as a high-traffic region for illegal crossings along the southern border, which presents challenges for national security and causes environmental harm.
Originally set aside in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt for border protection, this land will now be used by the Navy to improve operational capabilities while aiming to reduce ecological damage caused by ongoing illegal activity.
Officials from both departments worked together to ensure that this move follows legal requirements and supports efforts to protect U.S. borders using public lands.
