Critics say bill to give Border Patrol a free hand would harm environment

Friday, July 8
By Matthew Trotter
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A bill that would grant the Department of Homeland Security unprecedented access to federal lands near the border was sharply criticized Friday for giving the department unchecked authority.

The National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act would let DHS waive 36 environmental-protection laws for patrol activities within 100 miles of U.S. borders.

Opponents of the legislation went so far as to call the bill, HR1505, “particularly stupidâ€