Associated Press - November 9, 2007 6:04 PM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Federal agencies have reached an agreement to swap nearly a mile of national wildlife refuge borderland near Sasabe to allow completion of border fencing, drawing fire from environmentalists.

The Department of Homeland Security will acquire 5.8 acres along the border now owned by the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It needs the land to complete seven miles of fencing to slow illegal immigration there.

In exchange, Customs and Border Protection and DHS are to buy and transfer to the refuge adjacent land of comparable habitat and value.

Federal officials say the decision cancels any need to show the fencing would be compatible for the refuge.

But Defenders of Wildlife spokesman Matt Clark says the fence won't be compatible with the refuge's mission or regulations.

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