Navy Grabs 760 Acres Near Border for Mystery Security Mission
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting December 9, 2025, about 760 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego and Imperial Counties, CA, will be set aside exclusively for the Navy’s border security work. This land won’t be available for mining, selling, or settling for the next three years, and the Navy will take over managing it. If you’re involved in land use or local activities there, this change means tighter control and no new claims during this period.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
760.42 Acres Withdrawn from Land Claims
Starting December 9, 2025, about 760.42 acres of federal land in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, are withdrawn for 3 years. The land is closed to settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws — including the United States mining laws, mineral leasing laws, and geothermal leasing laws — for that period.
Department of the Navy Takes Over Management
As of December 9, 2025, administrative jurisdiction over the described lands is transferred to the Department of the Navy for border security purposes, and the Navy will manage the area for the withdrawal period of three years. That change shifts who controls access and use of the land during the withdrawal.
Existing Rights Preserved
The withdrawal is made "subject to valid existing rights," meaning that valid existing rights on the affected lands remain in place despite the withdrawal beginning December 9, 2025. Those existing rights continue to be recognized during the three-year withdrawal period.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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