Thread: TX: Riverfront landowners told to be ready for meeting ...

Riverfront landowners told to be ready for meeting on border wall
By ANDRES R. MARTINEZ, The Monitor
April 18, 2007 - 11:44AM
ROMA — U.S. Border Patrol agents on Tuesday notified owners of property fronting the Rio Grande that a government representative will meet with them in a week to discuss placing a border wall on their properties.

At least four riverfront landowners within a few miles of the Roma International Bridge got calls from Border Patrol agents about the meeting Tuesday. The agents did not give any other details about the meeting, the landowners said.

The wall is part of President Bush’s immigration plan that he announced during a speech last May.

The plan included creating a 700-mile wall along the border with Mexico in California, Texas and Arizona, barriers aimed at deterring illegal immigrants from crossing into the country. Part of the wall would be made up of electronic sensors the Border Patrol already uses and the rest would be a fence or wall.

Many border cities like San Ysidro in California have had a fence to keep out illegal immigrants for years.

The president also called for hiring more than 6,000 new Border Patrol agents in the next few years and sending the National Guard to the border.

A local Border Patrol spokesman referred all inquiries to the agency’s Washington headquarters. Multiple calls to the press office there were not returned.

Critics have said the wall may disrupt migratory bird patterns, make it difficult for people to access water pumps and limit access to the river.

Gov. Rick Perry has said he opposes a continuous wall from Brownsville to Laredo, instead proposing that walls be built in mostly urban areas.

But it appears that work for the wall may have already begun. National Guard troops have been seen using bulldozers and other heavy equipment along the river in Roma to clear brush, bamboo and trees for weeks from federal property.

It’s unclear whether any environmental impact studies have been conducted.

On Tuesday, there were bulldozer tracks and freshly cut trees and bamboo pushed aside underneath the Roma International Bridge.

A set of heavy equipment with Border Patrol logos was being stored near the Roma Bluffs lookout, about a quarter-mile west of the bridge.

Noel Benavides and his family own land in front of the Whataburger restaurant in Roma. The land borders more than a mile of the Rio Grande. A Border Patrol agent called Benavides, a Roma alderman, Tuesday afternoon and told him plans were already drawn up for where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would like the walls to go, he said.

Former Roma mayor Fernando Peña also owns land along the river. A Border Patrol agent called him and told him to be ready for a meeting with DHS officials.

The Roma City Council and mayor have also been informed about the meeting, which is expected to be held April 25.

Benavides says he opposes the wall and fears it might kill the wildlife on his land, which has been used for Boy Scout retreats.

“I used to come here as a boy,” he said. “Now I am afraid my granddaughter won’t be able to.”

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/onset? ... ticle.html

Gov. Rick Perry has said he opposes a continuous wall from Brownsville to Laredo, instead proposing that walls be built in mostly urban areas.

That's just one reason why this should be your last term in office.
The 39% voted for governor!

Dixie

Critics have said the wall may disrupt migratory bird patterns, make it difficult for people to access water pumps and limit access to the river.

Funny how the environmentalis groups are so concerned about the patterns of migratory birds, but they have no concern for the animal and plant habitats being destroyed by litter and human waste left by the illegals. I'd say their priorities are a little screwed up.
Plus, using birds as their excuse tells me something.
THE OBL's ARE GETTING DESPERATE!
Besides, birds are not stupid animals. They will adapt and find new ways for their migratory patterns.
Hmm...let's see...the fence would be around 10 to 15 ft. in height? I'm sure the birds can get around that.