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Mexico Calls for Eco-Friendly Border Fence

Environment minister warns US against proceeding with plan

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jul 31, 2007 5:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Citing environmental concerns, Mexico is calling on the US to revise its plan to expand border fences. The current layout threatens fragile ecosystems in the Sonora Desert area and could wipe out endangered species like the Mexican black bear, a new report shows. Mexico is ready to take the US to international court if it doesn't respond, the BBC reports.

The current fence plan includes 370 miles of heavy metal walls and other ecologically disruptive technology, but the report offers environmentally friendly alternatives. They include cross-border "green corridors" of wilderness that would allow species to migrate at will but bar people from doing the same. Another option is "live" fences of cactuses.

California National Guardsmen water-down areas excavated for construction of a border fence in the Russian Hill area adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego Wednesday, May 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
California National Guardsmen water-down areas excavated for construction of a border fence in the Russian Hill area adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego Wednesday, May 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Lenny...   (Associated Press)
Joggers stretch next to US-Mexico border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, Friday, June 29, 2007. The fence, which separates Tijuana from San Diego, and extends all the way into the Pacific Ocean. (AP Photo/David Maung)
Joggers stretch next to US-Mexico border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, Friday, June 29, 2007. The fence, which separates Tijuana from San Diego, and extends all the way into the Pacific Ocean. (AP Photo/David...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. Border Patrol agent questions a man in Nogales, Arizona, seen through a hole in a metal fence marking the border between the U.S. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
A U.S. Border Patrol agent questions a man in Nogales, Arizona, seen through a hole in a metal fence marking the border between the U.S. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)   (Associated Press)
U.S. Border Patrol vehicles can be seen through the U.S. - Mexico border fence in Nogales Ariz., from Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, May 22, 2007. The eventual construction of this barrier would place at risk the various ecosystems that we share, Mexico's Environment Minister Juan Rafael Elvira said of...
U.S. Border Patrol vehicles can be seen through the U.S. - Mexico border fence in Nogales Ariz., from Nogales, Mexico, Tuesday, May 22, 2007. "The eventual construction of this barrier would place at...   (Associated Press)
Earth moving equipment directed by the California National Guard levels out an area known as Russian Hill adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border that has long been a difficult area for the Border Patrol in San Diego Wednesday, May 30, 2007. The area's rugged terrain has prevented the completion...
Earth moving equipment directed by the California National Guard levels out an area known as Russian Hill adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border that has long been a difficult area for the Border Patrol in...   (Associated Press)
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Local news channel covers the issue
KRGV, TX

Ecologists' current work in the Rio Grande area
RTE (Ireland)

 
immigration • endangered species • illegal immigrant • Mexico • border control • environmentalism • ecology • Mexican border • fence • Sonora Desert • US-Mexico border

 
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