News
Editorial: Full-speed ahead with border fence
A fence between Arizona and Mexico one day might allow law enforcement to fight illegal immigration at the border, not in Green Valley backyards, neighborhoods and drop areas.
Terrorists will think twice about entering the country from Mexico, supporters of the fence say, a blow to fanatics who might want to launch another attack on America.
In declining to hear a case on environmental concerns over the fence, the Supreme Court cleared the way for full-speed construction of the multibillion project. When finished, possibly by the end of this year, the fence will span from Tijuana on the Pacific Coast to Brownsville, Texas, on the Gulf Coast.
More than 330 miles have been constructed, including a two-mile stretch near Naco in Southern Arizona. The fence imperils two endangered wildcats, the ocelot and the jaguarundi, prompting environmentalists to unsuccessfully seek relief with the Supreme Court.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has the power to waive environmental laws and regulations to build the fence and has used his authority to speed up construction. When completed, the fence will span 670 miles.
After a lawsuit in the late 1990s stopped construction, Congress in voted in 2005 to give the Bush administration wide-ranging power to waive laws affecting the fence.
Defenders of Wildlife attorney Brian Segee said there are constitutional problems with the law Congress passed in 2005, “which places the unprecedented and extraordinary power with one individual, the secretary of homeland security, to pick and choose which laws apply along the southern border.”
We do not think Chertoff is picking and choosing which laws to apply. He has been consistent in his decisions. But we did editorialize in October about the lack of federal studies about the environmental impact.
Southern Arizona is special because of its unique landscapes, plants and animals. We want wildlife to flourish in Southern Arizona and do not want to endanger it over the slight possibility a terrorist might attempt to sneak a weapon across the border.
We expect the federal government to take protection of wildlife seriously. We want officials to listen to local input and understand how important the ocelot and the jaguarundi are to us. Build the fence, but do it responsibly. Alter it, if necessary, to accommodate endangered animals.
“As fence construction proceeds, the department will continue to be a good steward of the environment, and consult with appropriate state, local, and tribal officials,” said Russ Knocke, a spokesman for Homeland Security.
The promise better not be lip service. Thousands of people will be watching and wondering about the impact of the fence.
Unsigned editorials represent the view of this newspaper. Respond with a Letter to the Editor by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com.
Terrorists will think twice about entering the country from Mexico, supporters of the fence say, a blow to fanatics who might want to launch another attack on America.
In declining to hear a case on environmental concerns over the fence, the Supreme Court cleared the way for full-speed construction of the multibillion project. When finished, possibly by the end of this year, the fence will span from Tijuana on the Pacific Coast to Brownsville, Texas, on the Gulf Coast.
More than 330 miles have been constructed, including a two-mile stretch near Naco in Southern Arizona. The fence imperils two endangered wildcats, the ocelot and the jaguarundi, prompting environmentalists to unsuccessfully seek relief with the Supreme Court.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has the power to waive environmental laws and regulations to build the fence and has used his authority to speed up construction. When completed, the fence will span 670 miles.
After a lawsuit in the late 1990s stopped construction, Congress in voted in 2005 to give the Bush administration wide-ranging power to waive laws affecting the fence.
Defenders of Wildlife attorney Brian Segee said there are constitutional problems with the law Congress passed in 2005, “which places the unprecedented and extraordinary power with one individual, the secretary of homeland security, to pick and choose which laws apply along the southern border.”
We do not think Chertoff is picking and choosing which laws to apply. He has been consistent in his decisions. But we did editorialize in October about the lack of federal studies about the environmental impact.
Southern Arizona is special because of its unique landscapes, plants and animals. We want wildlife to flourish in Southern Arizona and do not want to endanger it over the slight possibility a terrorist might attempt to sneak a weapon across the border.
We expect the federal government to take protection of wildlife seriously. We want officials to listen to local input and understand how important the ocelot and the jaguarundi are to us. Build the fence, but do it responsibly. Alter it, if necessary, to accommodate endangered animals.
“As fence construction proceeds, the department will continue to be a good steward of the environment, and consult with appropriate state, local, and tribal officials,” said Russ Knocke, a spokesman for Homeland Security.
The promise better not be lip service. Thousands of people will be watching and wondering about the impact of the fence.
Unsigned editorials represent the view of this newspaper. Respond with a Letter to the Editor by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com.
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