Last update : 04/02/2008

What is the Texas Fence? What Can You Do? Background Information Congressional Response News

Would you like to bird here?

What is the Texas Fence?

The Rio Grande Valley of Texas is one of the best locations in the United States or the ABA area for birding.  The riparian habitat along the river ( 95% of which is already destroyed) regularly attracts birds from Mexico into the ABA area.  Some of these birds have been established and the valley is the only place to see these birds.  In good  years scores of rarities cross the border and become "countable".  Birding in the valley is always fun in good years and bad.

Along the river are several public birding areas:  Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Bentson State Park, Anzalduas County Park, Sabal Palm Audubon Refuge, Roma Bluffs ( World Birding Center ) , San Ignacio ( private sanctuary maintained by one man for the White-colared Seedeater ), Salinino (where the Dewinns winter and treat birders to wonderful feeders with Altamira Orioles and Brown Jays).

Now all this is threatened with the Security Fence, Bush and friends want to build along the river to stop terrorists.  We have no idea what form this fence/wall will take.  It could be a series of security cameras which would not be too intrusive.  Or it could look like the above.  There is very little information available. What are they doing? Don't we have a right to know?

The Bridges Are Protected

People who have not visited the border perhaps do not understand that the bridges that cross the river are protected.  The Border Patrol is not in charge of the bridges. That is the responsibility of "Immigration and Naturalization" which is also part of "Homeland Security".  Some bridges such as the ones that crossed the river near Big Bend were closed permanently after 9/11. Other bridges are secured by armed guards and bus passengers are forced to disembark and pass through "Customs".  Cars, trucks and buses are regularly searched with dogs and armed guards.

The "Fence" is to protect the areas between the bridges.  There are only certain areas where undocumented workers and drug smugglers cross the river. Parts of the river especially above the two dams are very deep and wide.  Other places like below the dam at Anzalduas are so shallow you can wade across.  The Border Patrol knows where these places are and if they had enough personnel could stop the crossings.  There are 3 roads that leave the valley going north.  The Border Patrol has check points along these highways.  I drove the camper across these check points several times without ever being questioned or searched.  Why?  Because the Border Patrol does not have enough personnel to run these check points.  By the way the camper was searched crossing the Canadian border and before I was allowed to drive across Hoover Dam.

And then there are the trains that regularly cross the border every day and every night.  The Border Patrol must inspect every single box car on these trains twice.  I have watched a single man climbing in and out of the box cars of a long train. Evading him would have been a simple exercise. 

The Border Patrol needs more personnel and more dogs.   "The Fence"  is not the answer.

Do We Have A Chance of Stopping the Texas Fence?

We are not alone in opposing this fence.  The local people of the Rio Grande Valley are unanimous in their disapproval of the fence for various reasons.  This fence will destroy old towns along the river like San Ygnacio and Salińino.  The people of the valley will be denied access to the river for boating, fishing and swimming.  And most importantly the business people of the valley think it has already reduced the number of shoppers from Mexico.  I don't see how the threat of the fence has done this, but if they believe it OK by me.

There are things they can do that will not destroy the birding in the valley.  They can increase the surveillance by camera and motion detectors.  They can use more Border Patrol agents and dogs.  They could advertise the Border Patrol number to report suspicious activity.

What Can You Do ?

Learn about the fence.  See Background information. Please go to this web site and sign the petition. 

http://www.notexasborderwall.com

Background Information on the Texas Fence

April 1, 2008 from Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife

I  wish this were an April Fools Day joke, but it’s not. Today, the Bush/Cheney Administration announced that it will waive environmental and land management laws along 470 miles of the U.S./Mexico border.

Laws ensuring clean water for us and our children? Dismissed. Laws protecting wildlife, land, rivers, streams and places of cultural significance? Disregarded. And laws giving American citizens a voice in the process? Gone.

1. The proposed wall could include:

• 86 miles of physical barrier on National Wildlife Refuges, State Parks, many other refuges and parks owned by Audubon, Nature Conservancy and NABA, and private lands along the Rio Grande between Falcon Dam in Starr County and the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron County

• Clearing of brush along the river up to 150’ in width where construction of the wall will take place

• A road suitable for driving up to 50 miles per hour along the wall

2. The proposed wall could affect:

• Establishment of eminent domain on private lands along the river for private landowners unwilling to sell

• Complete prevention of access to the river from the wall, meaning no access for farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods depend on the water rights they have purchased

• No access for wildlife enthusiasts interested in wildlife watching, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking along the river.  Eco-tourism brings more than $125 million to the RGV annually from 200,000 eco-tourists, creating 2,500 jobs in the local economy

• Destroying a 25 year effort to restore the river wildlife corridor.  Approximately $70 million has been spent on land acquisition and $20 million on re-forestation efforts.  Thousands of school children and other volunteers have planted thousands of native plants and trees.  Dozens of local, state and federal entities and organizations have partnered to create the Wildlife Corridor       

• Very rare species of birds and other animals that are only found in the Rio Grande Valley in the U.S. which are species highly valued by eco-tourist. I.e.: Brown Jay, Muscovy Duck

• Both endangered and threatened species listed by the federal government and state uses the riparian habitat and would face possible extinction or extirpation.  I.e.: Ocelot, Jaguarundi,

• No access to drinking water for wildlife unable to breach the wall

• No access to habitats across the river (and/or just across the wall) for wildlife, leaving them in isolated communities creating genetic gridlock and promoting extirpation and/or extinction

• Many historical and archeological sites with national and international significance 

3. Border Fence Legislation facts:

• Section 102 of the 2005 REAL ID Act states:  “…the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive, and shall waive, all laws such Secretary, in such Secretary sole’s discretion, determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section”, which is to say that Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has the power to wave any and all federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and more in the name of homeland security

• The Secure Fence Act of 2006 directs Department of Homeland Security to:

  • Take all actions necessary to achieve and maintain control over international borders within 18 months.

  • Construct at least two layers of reinforced fencing and additional physical barriers, roads, cameras, sensors and lighting on 700 linear miles along specific areas of the Mexican border.

  • Construct 370 miles of physical fence before the end of 2008, including 153 miles in Texas, 129 in Arizona, and 12 in New Mexico, while California gets 76
     

  From BirdChat

Just to let everyone know... the environmental community in the Valley has mustered a huge response and has been working day and night now since May. When I first posted about this issue about the border wall on Texbirds in May I invited everyone to join the fight. Anyone that contacted us down here then is well aware just how much and how far we have gotten on this issue. I once again invite all to get involved...now that the "proof" is out there!!

The coalition in the RGV has raised enough voices to not only gain local and state press but national and international press to get this issue in front of people. Enough work has been done to now have such organizations as Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense, TNC, Audubon, World Wildlife Fund and many others join the fight. And some are heavily involved.

We are working with all local mayors and county judges, TX Border Coalition, business, farmers, property owners, etc, etc. The McAllen Chamber is firing on all cylinders. We are holding rallies, meetings, national press releases, hosting press trips, congressional visits to the Valley, lobbying on the hill, etc, etc.

Two web pages are going up very soon, and a list serve is VERY active. noborderwall@yahoogroups.com Hundreds of folks have been working feverishly down here with support from national and international groups. We have gotten many politicians aware of the issue. A HR bill has been co-sponsored by all the border reps that would solve many issues. We are pushing legislation to be introduces. We have researched international border, river, and environmental treaties with Mexico. We are exhausting all avenues.

And we have NOT given up! Today we saw a very productive conference call with folks in Washington DC... the stakes are high and the issue pushed harder than ever by DHS and Chertoff... But there are options left, and we are taking them. Each day a new issue arises in this fight... DHS is being very elusive and leaves us in the dark as much as possible. They have plain LIED time and time again... even to our Senators and other government branches! Please believe me when I say that! This has become personal for me and many down here! I have been insulted enough!

The main problem... the political picture in the nation. Folks up north have bought into the "need" for a wall. It is hard to understand local (international) issues when one does not experience the border daily. Yes, borders need to be "secure", but the problem is... a fence will NOT stop the "threats" that have been listed. A wall will not stop immigrants, drugs, or the purported terrorist. Sorry, it will maybe slow down a few folks a few seconds. It is that simple! Even DHS has admitted that!

The local Border Patrol guys in the field shake their heads at the idea of a wall!!!! The Coast Guard said the other day that it will not stop the problems. We can build the wall, and spend $3.3 million per mile or more, and just to see it fail!! And do all the ecological, economical, and social damage that it WILL do.

BUT DHS is mandated by a federal Law (Secure Fence Act) to build fences along the border. SO only a legislative solution can stop this. We are trying or best to spread the word nationally just how folly this is and for folks to understand the issue and then talk to their senators and reps to give them a "way out".

If the American people speak up, the congress can say... OK, they don't want it... they vote for us... lets change that law. Most congress folks really and truly don't want the wall, but political and constituents pressure keeps them from speaking up and voting against it.

And through the Real ID ACT Chertoff has the right to waive EVERY law and treaty he needs to do away with to build this wall. And he will. He already did so in CA and AZ. And they promised the same promises there as they are now in the RGV. That landowners can choose the type of wall, where it's build, etc. Those are plain LIES to get permission to use the land. The LAW states what they have to do, and Border Patrol has no legal right to promise any of those things.

They say they are "consulting with local interest!! NO, they are NOT, we know that down here! They are holding landowner meetings not announced to the public and TELLS us what THEY are doing... no local input as they say. Even President Bush publicly stated that he dose not want locals to have input!! (Hope he plans to retire in another state!)

We have a $125 million a year ecotourism trade in the RGV with over 200,000 nature visitors. A neighboring nation that spends more dollars in McAllen than any other city in the US! Retail sales from Mexican nationals have already dropped a large percentage... due to even the talk of the wall. The Valley economy, which drives the state economy per some reports, will suffer immensely. It is national, no international, issue as Mexico is one of our largest trade partners.

There are alternatives to a wall that will work better!! Wildlife (endangered cats, reptiles, etc) populations will be splintered along the river, the ONLY riparian habitats left will disappear... no more Gray Hawk, Red-billed Pigeon, etc, etc. Walls will be placed in front of such sites as Sabal Palms, half of Brownsville will end up on the "other" side of the wall. The Lower Rio Grande NWR will be hit the hardest as it has dozens of tracts along the river...and its federally owned and easy to "take". Historical sites will be bulldozed!! Roma Bluffs and the brand new World Birding Center will see a wall in between them!!

 The list goes on folks!! $100 million have been spent to buy and reforest thousands of acres along the river in the RGV over the last 30 years. That will all go to the dozers! Partners have worked so hard over the decades to try to rebuild these precious areas. Tens of thousands of school kids have planted native seedlings each year on refuge lands!

THIS IS NOT A SMALL LITTLE ISSUE!! THIS IS THE WORST ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN THE RGV IN OUR LIFETIME!!! The world will lose another treasure. If you wish to help let us know! Bird On...

Martin Hagne Harlingen, TX Cameron Co.

From CNN Thursday, October 26, 2006 Bush signs immigration fence bill     WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Thursday signed an immigration bill into law that authorizes the construction of nearly 700 miles of fencing on parts of the U.S. border with Mexico. It is one of the first steps toward a tougher stance on illegal immigration touted by Republicans and comes 12 days before mid-term elections. Bush said the measure will "help protect the American people. Summary of the Secure Fence Act of 2006, Passed by the House on September 14, 2006 Secure Fence Act of 2006: Sec. 1: Short Title Sec. 2: Achieving Operation Control on the Border Requires DHS Secretary, within 18 months of enactment, to take all actions he determines are appropriate and necessary to achieve and maintain operation control over land and maritime borders, including: systematic surveillance through more effective use of personnel & technology; and physical infrastructure enhancements such as additional checkpoints, roads and barriers; "Operational control" means the prevention of all unlawful entries into the U.S., including entries by terrorists, unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband. Requires DHS Secretary, within one year of enactment and annually thereafter, to submit a report to Congress on progress made toward achieving this goal. Sec. 3: Construction of Fencing and Security Improvements in Border Area from Pacific Ocean to Gulf of Mexico Amends section 102(b) of IIRIRA (section on improvement of barriers at the border) by striking the words "near San Diego" (IIRIRA § 102(b) dealt only with construction of fencing and roads in the border area near San Diego), and by specifying that the DHS Secretary must provide for at least 2 layers of reinforced fencing, additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras and sensors. Such improvements must extend from: 10 miles west of the Tecate, CA POE to 10 miles east of same; 10 miles west of the Calexico, CA POE to 5 miles east of the Douglas, AZ POE; 5 miles west of the Columbus, NM POE to 10 miles east of El Paso, TX; 5 miles northwest of the Del Rio, TX POE to 5 miles southeast of the Eagle Pass, TX POE; and 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, TX POE to the Brownsville, TX POE. With respect to the Calexico area, outlined above, the DHS Secretary must install an interlocking surveillance camera along such area by May 30, 2007 and must complete fence installation in this sector by May 30, 2008. With respect to the Laredo area, outlined above, the DHS Secretary must ensure that fence construction from 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, TX POE to 15 miles southeast of the Laredo, TX POE is completed by December 31, 2008. If the topography of a specific area has an elevation grade of 10 % or higher, the Secretary may use other means to secure the area.

Wait A Minuet by Emmalee Tarry

The bill is rather vague, but seems to include the birdiing areas in the Rio Grande Valley of : Santa Ana, Anzalduas, Bentson State Park, Salinino, and San Ignacio as well as ranches along the river. Ninety five percent of the habitat along the river has already been destroy.  The Fence seems to take the rest. The river is not straight. It makes deep bends.  Will the fence follow the river or cut straight across taking even more land?

Will brush be allowed to grow up to the fence or will they clear at least a 100 yards on each side of the double fence?

The Harlingen Border Patrol strongly promoted the fence during a visit in December by the author because it will protect the country from terrorists.  Terrorists?  When has a terrorist entered the country by swimming the Rio Grande River?  Usually the Border Patrol apprehends   undocumented workers and marijuana smugglers.  Are we to give up the last wildlife habitat along the river for this?

It seems to me this fence will cede the river to the Mexicans.  American fishermen, boaters, birdwatchers will not have access to the river. I don't think Americans are going to like it when they figure this out. Of course, birdwatchers may not be a factor if the fence is built because in the Rio Grande Valley bridwatching will be history.

Will the Fence Work?  Article from the Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/fortressamerica/ci_5356695