Posted on 07/13/2007 2:51:19 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN DIEGO - Bulldozers are rolling again on the U.S.-Mexico border, moving hundreds of tons of dirt to make way for a 16-foot steel fence in an area that once was the most popular crossing for illegal immigrants.
But before the construction resumed recently, the 14-mile project in San Diego was stalled for years by legal challenges from environmentalists, budget problems and difficulties buying land. Those delays are now raising doubts about a government plan to extend fencing to 370 miles of the Mexican border.
The Bush administration, under pressure to tighten border security, wants all 370 miles done by the end of next year.
"If past experience is any guide, it will cost a lot more than anyone expected and take a lot longer than anyone is talking about right now," said David Shirk, director of the University of San Diego's Trans-Border Institute, which studies border issues.
The Homeland Security Department has yet to say where it will build fences in California, Arizona and New Mexico. And the only proposal made public so far — for Texas — drew immediate criticism and is being reworked. Opponents worried it would limit access to the Rio Grande, damage the environment and infuriate Mexicans who cross the border to shop and visit.
The 1,952-mile border stretches over sensitive terrain, including two national wildlife refuges in Arizona. And negotiations for land owned by scores of ranchers and Indian tribes may be challenging.
Democratic Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas predicted the construction of so much fencing will be a "huge problem," noting opposition among many residents and even some Border Patrol field leaders who would prefer the money be spent on manpower and equipment.
The San Diego fence, tilted 45 degrees at the top to deter climbers, starts at the coastline and stretches 14 miles inland. Construction began in 1996, and there are still five miles to go.
Until the mid-1990s, illegal immigrants had crossed in droves. They would slip across the border and huddle on U.S. soil as the handful of Border Patrol agents assigned to the area watched from a distance. When night fell, they ran for it.
"It was a never-ending battle, and we were losing very badly," said Don McDermott, a Border Patrol supervisor who worked the area in the 1980s.
The nine miles of fencing completed so far have had a dramatic impact, along with more manpower and stadium lighting. Arrests are way down in San Diego, but traffic shifted to Arizona deserts.
Those people who do make it across are increasingly desperate. More immigrants are attempting to swim across the border or crawl through crude tunnels, said Raleigh Leonard, supervisor of the Border Patrol's Imperial Beach station.
The final five miles of fencing in San Diego will cover some of the most rugged terrain and most sensitive habitats on the border. For example, to fill an area called "Smuggler's Gulch," crews are expected to move nearly 3 million tons of dirt — enough to fill about 100,000 giant dump trucks.
Border Patrol officials say they need a fence in the gulch because its urban surroundings give agents limited time to catch people before they melt into the local population.
But environmentalists worry that shifting dirt will spill north into a federally protected estuary, disrupting a key stopover for more than 370 species of migratory and native birds.
A 2005 law giving the federal government authority to waive all rules prohibiting fence construction prompted a judge to dismiss a legal challenge to the San Diego fence. The law should help smooth the way elsewhere along the border, too.
Homeland Security spokesman Brad Benson said the agency wants to be a good environmental steward and will favor a "virtual fence" of sensors, radar and cameras in remote, environmentally sensitive areas and on tribal lands.
The government believes it can finish the 370 miles of fence on time and hopes to avoid the kind of pitfalls that delayed work in San Diego, Benson said. He said Congress has appropriated enough money — $1 billion for fencing and other infrastructure — to complete the project and that, unlike San Diego, the terrain will not be such a hindrance.
"Most of what we'll build is out in flat desert, and it's not that hard to do," he said.
Within the next few weeks, Benson said, the agency will put final touches on plans to complete the 14-mile San Diego fence and then solicit construction bids. Homeland Security also began a series of public meetings this week along the border to discuss the agency's plans to extend the fence to 370 miles.
Shirk, of the University of San Diego's Trans-Border Institute, remains skeptical: "It's a really, really big project that won't go so quickly."
We put a man on the moon in less than a decade.
And these morons are telling us that at their current rate it's gonna take them 50 years to build a stinking fence?
Un-flipping-believable.
L
They truly believe we are morons. It must take them a great deal of self control not to break out laughing when discussing the invasion.
The condescension and arrogance displayed by these punks was unreal. My blood just boiled while I read their comments about their 'yokel constituents'.
You know, Travis, I'd really like to take my son to DC sometime to show him all the history there. But I'm honestly afraid that were I ever to go there I'd run into some of these pukes and just start kicking ass.
And once I started, I don't think I'd be able to stop.
L
Um, unless those "visiting shoppers" from mexico are crossing the border, wherever, why should it infuriate them?
That makes no damn sense what so ever.
Aaahhh, do you mean to tell me that limp wristed Bob Filner is no help. I thought he was the people’s champion.
We need a quick business plan my friend.
Is the era of bumper stickers over?
Not if I have anything to do with it!
L
I don’t believe anything the politicians tell us. Anything that happens in politics is foreseen, willed, and intended.
During The Depression no less!
And we also started the Hoover Dam that year, took four out of a projected six years to finish. Not as fast as Empire State, but a little more involved.
From above: The area has long been difficult for the Border Patrol because of the rugged terrain and is currently being modified by the National Guard using earth moving equipment(?).You'd think the Guard would have heard about a little earth altering technique known as "explosives".
Whatever happened to the "can do" spirit this country used to have?
Do you like the wavy flag, or would a square one be better? What about the “Hey! Illegal aliens...”, should that be bigger?
But that's just me.
L
Good Post Travis.........Defense in depth of physical, electronic and economical barriers with monitoring by Border Patrol, local LEO’s and “Legal” Citizens, of this nation will reduce the problem to a manageable situation.
If I have sugar ants on the kitchen counter, I clean up the sugar and the ants look elsewhere........Employers who hire illegals are my primary “local” target. Easier to put ICE on the criminal acts of an individual employer or corporation than having to ICE down an entire population to see who is or isn’t playing by the rules........
Legal Immigration is a good thing for America that must be allowed. Illegals do nothing but keep it fouled !
Sorry, I tried to transfer the urls to ImageCave but it can’t ‘get them’ yet.
"All it takes is will. If the president wanted it built, it could be built all the way across in a year..."
"All it takes is will. If the president wanted it built, it could be built all the way across in a year..."
"All it takes is will. If the president wanted it built, it could be built all the way across in a year..."
"All it takes is will. If the president wanted it built, it could be built all the way across in a year..."
.
Thanks potlatch
“/LIBS/Tijuana2.gif” just showed up when I checked your ping
Let’s see if it stays up now!
It’s up!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.