Memo Reveals Refuge Officers' Struggle to Secure Lands Along Southwest Border

Fox News ^ | 7/9/2010 | Stephen Clark

[Outside da Box]

As the threat of violence stemming from illegal immigration hangs over federal lands in southern Arizona, an internal memo from 2007 reveals that refuge officers have been spending most of their time struggling to deal with border-related activities instead of protecting wildlife habitat.

[Ole Okie]

Guess it’s just me, but “protecting wildlife habitat” in view of the border disaster seems rather miniscule right now.

[TYVets]

They are just doing the job that Washington refuses to do.

[RWGinger]

“Guess it’s just me, but “protecting wildlife habitat” in view of the border disaster seems rather miniscule right now’
It relly is BUT it is ongoing job and if you don’t do it you can’t go back and undo damage

the ppint really is this is not their job but we know the Feds want to do nothing
except sue a state for trying to protect their borders

[yoe]

According to the memo, which was obtained by FOXNews.com, the Department of Interior warns that refuge officers are spending 100 percent of their time at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife preserve and between 90 to 95 percent of their time in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and Leslie Canyon dealing with border-related activities. This is a THREE YEAR OLD memo.

Republican lawmakers have asked the Interior Department for updated information but haven't received anything, a GOP aide told FoxNews.com. Republicans lawmakers are pushing to give Border Patrol operational control of the federal lands on the border -- a move they say would increase safety on public lands that they say have become a "highway open to criminals, drug smugglers, human traffickers and potentially terrorists."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, the ranking member on the House Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee, has introduced legislation that would remove restrictions the Department of Interior imposes on U.S. Border Patrol agents.

But the bill is stuck in committee and is unlikely to see the light of day this year, with congressional elections coming in November.

And another thing........
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge Remains Open June 2010 Recently there were reports in the news stating that the Buenos Aries National Wildlife Refuge was closed. This information is not correct. In early 2006, a small section of land (about 3% of the refuge) along the border was closed to visitation. However, no new restrictions are in place and the majority of the refuge remains open. Today, we are seeing a decline in violent activity in the southern most area thanks to ongoing cooperation between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Customs and Border Protection. The Refuge will reopen the lands along the border at such time that it is determined to be safe for visitors.