Environmental Rules Waived for Fence

AP via SFGate ^ | 1/12/7 | ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN

[SmithL]

Tucson, Ariz. -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff waived environmental rules Friday to clear the way for a border fence to be constructed along the Mexican border.

The move circumvented a series of laws, from the Endangered Species Act to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, outraging environmentalists.

Dr. Robin Silver, board chair of the environmental organization Center for Biological Diversity, called Chertoff's move "a historic travesty."

"Because they refuse to deal head-on with the economics of the immigration challenge, they're now taking a step to destroy the integrity of the central part of southern Arizona's desert," Silver said. "There's not a wall on earth that's going to stop a human in search of a minimum-wage job to feed his hungry family."

It was unclear when construction on 37 miles of traditional and virtual fencing would begin at the Air Force's training range in southwestern Arizona. The project also includes radar and other infrastructure, lighting, all-weather and drag roads, expected to cost in the neighborhood of $64 million.

Chertoff voided "environmental requirements and other legalities that have impeded the department's ability to construct fencing and deploy detection technology on the range,"

[SmithL]

So What? Those so-called environmentalists are perpetually enraged.

[kinoxi]

Okay scrap the fence. How about an electrocuted moat system?

[dsc]

"There's not a wall on earth that's going to stop a human in search of a minimum-wage job to feed his hungry family."

Oh, really? How many people came through the Berlin wall every day, genius? A wall can reduce the number of illegal immigrants to near zero, particularly if we add mine fields and machine guns.

As for outraging environmentalists, I only hope I get a turn.

[Cobra64]

Huh?

[kinoxi]

Any barrier that will work.

[bboop]

Go Chertoff.

[Lurker]

Good move Mr. Chertoff.

L

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So the trash perpetually dumped by illegals are just chopped liver?

[CaliGirl-R]

Excellent point about the trash. I've seen pictures of plastic jugs, water bottles, toilet paper and feces along the border. Disgusting. Where's the environmental rage? Someone might be crapping near a kangaroo rat's territory or pissing on the fairy shrimp!

Heck, the enviros should put out some recycling containers for all the plastic litter.

[Douggles]

Agreed. And I find it grimly hilarious that this earth-mama criticism of an anti-illegal fence was publishing in sfGATE. We need a gate around San Francisco, alright, for obvious reasons.

[wodinoneeye]

There should be no problem leaving small holes in the fence which will let thru any migrating endangered roaches yet large enuf to keep the bigger ones out.

[pandoraou812]

If they are so worried about the environment, they should be out their cleaning up the illegal's trash so the animals are safe from it....Has anyone heard of them doing that?

[Tzimisce]

...so we can't build a fence because it contributes to global warming now???

[TheDon]

Here's a little border biodiversity!

[Maynerd]

As a frequent critic of W's immigration reform, it's nice to be able to applaud Bush regarding border security. I hope this is sincere and a long term trend.

[Aikonaa]

Because they refuse to deal head-on with the economics of the immigration challenge, they're now taking a step to destroy the integrity of the central part of southern Arizona's desert," Silver said. "There's not a wall on earth that's going to stop a human in search of a minimum-wage job to feed his hungry family."

From what I've seen and heard illegal border crossings have greatly contributed to the deterioration of Arizona deserts. Much of modern 'environmentalism' is not about conserving the environment but rather a cover story for the usual leftist agenda.

[proud_yank]

Where's the environmental rage? Someone might be crapping near a kangaroo rat's territory or pissing on the fairy shrimp!

ROFL! Excellent points.

[taxed2death]

DR Robin Silver = steaming pile of hypocritical human excrement. Does (s)he cast a blind eye over the destruction that illegals do to our national and state parks?

[do the dhue]

"There's not a wall on earth that's going to stop a human in search of a minimum-wage job to feed his hungry family."

I am not really concerned with stopping this. I am concerned in stopping a terrorist from entering my country with a big ol' bomb. This is why I am not happy with the border situation NORTH and South.

Since Silver brought it up, I am not against a human US citizen searching for a minimum-wage job to feed his hungry family.

I am against an illegal coming here working under the table for less then minimum wage making it hard for AMERCIANS to compete in their own FRONT yard so they can feed their hungry families!

[do the dhue]

DR Robin Silver = steaming pile of hypocritical human excrement. Does (s)he cast a blind eye over the destruction that illegals do to our national and state parks?