Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


1

Border Fence Will Skirt Environmental Laws

Dozens dumped to speed building

Share

(Newser) – Homeland Security is ditching environmental laws in a push to finish 670 miles of border fence along Mexico by the end of this year, reports the Los Angeles Times. Congress has approved a waiver for more than 30 environmental and cultural laws to accelerate building. Critics say the plans are being pushed through without proper assessment and will endanger wildlife.

Environmentalists believe the migration routes of butterflies and big cats will be threatened by the fence. Republicans hailed the move to waive the laws, saying that the fence would help cut crime and illegal immigration. But the fence is proving deeply unpopular among border communities—and experts warn the waivers will make it very difficult for residents to mount legal challenges on environmental grounds.

A zig-zagging second fence, center, runs parallel to the orginal border fence, right, along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, in a Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 file photo.
A zig-zagging second fence, center, runs parallel to the orginal border fence, right, along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, in a Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 file photo.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Migrants walk toward the U.S.-Mexico border wall on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Migrants walk toward the U.S.-Mexico border wall on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
A Mexican soldier patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border wall on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
A Mexican soldier patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border wall on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
The U.S.-Mexico border fence is seen from the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
The U.S.-Mexico border fence is seen from the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
Fromthemiddle
Jul 29, 09 8:00 PM CDT
I once thought the fence was a good idea, but not if it inconveniences butterflies.. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

13 Stories

(Newser) - The Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to the completion of the border fence between the US and Mexico, Fox News reports. Environmental groups, an Indian tribe, and the city of El Paso brought the challenge, contending that a fence will cut off access to the Rio Grande... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Texas • Mexico • Department of Homeland Security • Michael Chertoff • El Paso • border fence • US Supreme Court • American Indian • Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe

(AP) - A former Justice Department official has been picked to be the Southwest border czar—a new position created by the Obama administration to handle illegal immigration and border issues. The new Homeland Security Department post will be responsible for issues related to drug-cartel violence along the US-Mexico border and the... More »

MORE ABOUT:
immigration • Mexico • Department of Homeland Security • illegal immigration • border • Alan Bersin

OPINION

 Prepare for Worst 
 as Mexico Crumbles 


Mar 24, 09 3:38 PM CDT
(Newser) - Mexico’s disastrous drug war, which threatens to send millions of refugees into the southern US, is a problem of our own making, Mark Krikorian writes in the National Review. But while America’s drug lust—and its burgeoning counterpart in Mexico itself—can’t be fixed, tighter border regulations... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Mexico • Mexican border • drug trafficking • Mexican drug war • illegal immigration • drug cartel • border security

13 Stories


Texans blast 'heavy-handed' fence plans
Houston Chronicle

Homeland Security bulldozing ahead in Arizona
Arizona Daily Star

Interview with secretary of Homeland Security
Outside the Beltway


US  •  Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
Texas • Mexico • Arizona • Department of Homeland Security • Michael Chertoff • illegal immigration • border security • U.S. environmental laws • border fence

from our news partners