Bishop says yes to tourists, no to illegal immigration
By Lee Davidson


Published: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 4:23 p.m. MDT
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National heritage areas are supposed to help increase tourism. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, persuaded the House to alter one Wednesday so that it inadvertently would not also increase illegal immigrants crossing into the United States from Mexico.

That came as the House voted to extend existence of the Santa Cruz National Heritage Area in Arizona. The bill passed on its second try, after the House adopted amendments by Bishop, and after it barely failed to pass last week.

Among provisions in Bishop's amendment were requiring that nothing in the bill could "impede, prohibit or restrict" efforts to prevent unlawful entries into the United States, including interfering with a wall along the border.

"This area is one that is heavily traveled with narcotic trafficking and human trafficking," Bishop told the House.

He complained that the Border Patrol must seek permits through lengthy processes to build towers or facilities near National Park Service areas, and he didn't want the heritage area to cause any similar delays or problems.

His motion also amended the bill to allow individual landowners to opt out of being included in a heritage area.


"There are instances when outside groups have tried to pressure local zoning entities because of these boundaries," Bishop said. "It is not right that people should be locked inside a boundary oftentimes with little prior knowledge of what is actually happening because boundaries do have consequences."

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