Background Information Regarding a Border Wall Along the Last 275 Miles of the Rio Grande 1. The proposed wall could include: • 86 miles of physical barrier on National Wildlife Refuges, State Parks, many other refuges and parks owned by Audubon, Nature Conservancy and NABA, and private lands along the Rio Grande between Falcon Dam in Starr County and the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron County • Clearing of brush along the river up to 150’ in width where construction of the wall will take place • A road suitable for driving up to 50 miles per hour along the wall 2. The proposed wall could affect: • Establishment of eminent domain on private lands along the river for private landowners unwilling to sell • Complete prevention of access to the river from the wall, meaning no access for farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods depend on the water rights they have purchased • No access for wildlife enthusiasts interested in wildlife watching, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking along the river. Eco-tourism brings more than $125 million to the RGV annually from 200,000 eco-tourists, creating 2,500 jobs in the local economy • Destroying a 25 year effort to restore the river wildlife corridor. Approximately $70 million has been spent on land acquisition and $20 million on re-forestation efforts. Thousands of school children and other volunteers have planted thousands of native plants and trees. Dozens of local, state and federal entities and organizations have partnered to create the Wildlife Corridor • Very rare species of birds and other animals that are only found in the Rio Grande Valley in the U.S. which are species highly valued by eco-tourist. I.e.: Brown Jay, Muscovy Duck • Both endangered and threatened species listed by the federal government and state uses the riparian habitat and would face possible extinction or extirpation. I.e.: Ocelot, Jaguarundi, • No access to drinking water for wildlife unable to breach the wall • No access to habitats across the river (and/or just across the wall) for wildlife, leaving them in isolated communities creating genetic gridlock and promoting extirpation and/or extinction • Many historical and archeological sites with national and international significance 3. Border Fence Legislation facts: • Section 102 of the 2005 REAL ID Act states: “…the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive, and shall waive, all laws such Secretary, in such Secretary sole’s discretion, determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section”, which is to say that Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has the power to wave any and all federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and more in the name of homeland security • The Secure Fence Act of 2006 directs Department of Homeland Security to: o Take all actions necessary to achieve and maintain control over international borders within 18 months. o Construct at least two layers of reinforced fencing and additional physical barriers, roads, cameras, sensors and lighting on 700 linear miles along specific areas of the Mexican border. o Construct 370 miles of physical fence before the end of 2008, including 153 miles in Texas, 129 in Arizona, and 12 in New Mexico, while California gets 76 4. Talking Points for Texas Senators Hutchison and Cornyn: • Thank you for your recent efforts to amend S. 1348, the immigration reform bill, to require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take into consideration the concerns 1 • • • • raised by states, local governments, and property owners in places where a wall would be constructed Requiring DHS to consult with state, local, and tribal officials, as well as land management agencies, before wall construction is an important component missing from the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and the Real ID Act I am still concerned because the amendment still requires the DHS to construct 700 miles of wall along the border. The new legislation needs to allow DHS to choose the type of barriers best used, which would allow for a smart fence. Current legislation only specifies and allows for a wall. In addition, per the REAL ID Act, DHS still has the authority to waive any and all regulations and laws 5. Talking Points for United States Congresspersons: • Please support any legislation or amendments to any legislation that: o Requires DHS to consult with state, local, and tribal officials, as well as land management agencies, before wall construction. This is an important component missing from the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and the Real ID Act o Allows DHS to choose the type of barriers best used, which would allow for a smart fence. Current legislation only specifies and allows for a wall. o Would modify the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and allow DHS to replace the proposed wall with a smart fence o Repeals the REAL ID Act. DHS still has the authority to waive any and all regulations and laws which spells disaster for farmers, ranchers, nature tourists, recreational opportunities, wildlife and habitats • With the use of advanced technology, a smart fence would: o Use the most recent technology that would help keep agents and those they apprehend safer by allowing them to detect undocumented migrants well in advance of any encounter o Eliminate concerns of livestock and wildlife having access to the river, thereby eliminating the legitimate concerns of cattle ranchers, farmers and conservationists o Allow for the continuation of the thriving nature tourism and hunting industry in the impoverished region of South Texas o Save tax-payer dollars since there would be no purchasing of property, clearing and/or maintaining dense brush, and construction and long-term maintenance of the fence • While a smart fence is not without its problems, a wall is simply not effective in the effort to stop or even curb illegal immigration • When writing use all the points listed in sections 1-3 as well 6. What You Can Do: • Write, Fax, E-mail and Call all your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives using the above info • Write, Fax, E-mail and Call all your Texas State Senators and Representatives using the same info urging them to get involved • Forward this to anyone with an interest in conservation, human rights and private property rights • Forward this fact sheet to as many people you know nation wide and encourage them to get involved • Keep the issue alive by forwarding articles and videos posted on the list serve to as many people you know nation wide • Join the Yahoo’s listserve -- NoBorderWall 2 • Take a stand! Keep informed; attend meetings; question your elected officials and let them know you do not support a wall; talk to your neighbors; participate in protests; and help spread the word!!! 7. Some of the Many Wildlife Refuges & Parks That Could Be Affected – Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR: The LRGV NWR is a 90,000 acre refuge found on the most southern tip of Texas. This wildlife corridor refuge follows the Rio Grande along its last stretch and includes 70+ miles of river front. Taxpayers have spent $90M since 1979 in land acquisitions and restorations for what is considered one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. The 11 distinct ecosystems found here are host or home to over 1,100 plant species and 700 vertebrates (of which 513 are birds) and 20 threatened and endangered species. Santa Ana NWR: This 2,088 acre refuge is considered the ‘jewel’ of the Refuge System with a documented 407 species of birds. Bird watchers from all 50 states and 35 countries come here to see species found no where else in the United States, including the Green Jay, Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee, Altamira Oriole and more. Sabal Palms Audubon Sanctuary: NABA Butterfly Park: Bentsen State Park & World Birding Center: Roma World Birding Center: TNC Chihuahuan Woods: TNC Southmost Preserve: 8. Elected Officials To find your federal elected officials: www.senate.gov and www.house.gov To find your Texas State elected officials: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/citizenResources/ContactLeg.html TEXAS RESIDENTS The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison 284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-4304 Phone: 202-224-5922 Fax: 202-224-0776 The Honorable John Cornyn 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Tel: 202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856 3 SOUTH TEXAS RESIDENTS The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz U.S. House of Representatives 2110 Rayburn HOB Washington DC 20515 Phone: (202)225-7742 Fax: (202) 226-1134 The Honorable Rubén Hinojosa U.S. House of Representatives 2463 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2531 Fax: (202)225-5688 The Honorable Henry Cuellar 336 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 phone: 202-225-1640 fax: 202-225-1641 The Honorable Ciro D. Rodriguez 2458 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4511 4