FME003476

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS

DATE:
TIME:
LOCATION:
FROM:
OBJECTIVES:
 Discuss outstanding fencing issues related to:
o The San Diego Border Infrastructure System, particularly, Friendship Circle
o The Hidalgo County levee-barrier construction project
o Fence construction in the City of Brownsville, Texas
BACKGROUND:
Border Infrastructure System
 Four main factors contribute to fence location decisions: (1) the Border Patrol operational
assessments; (2) environmental assessments; (3) engineering assessments, which include the
cost to construct; and (4) input from stakeholders. Each of these steps is a standard element
of the planning process that enables DHS to make informed decisions in deploying fence as
operationally required.
 Specifically in the San Diego Border Infrastructure System (BIS), the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection’s (CBP) local Border Patrol leadership identified the need for additional
tactical infrastructure to address a high volume of illicit border activity. The areas known as
Friendship Circle, located within the Border Field State Park has been a historic vulnerability
as alien smuggling organizations routinely utilize this area to smuggle people and contraband
using the presence of the public to mask criminal activity.
 While the intent of the park’s binational concept was taken into account, the illicit smuggling
activity and propensity for violence in and around the park required the restriction of public
access between the primary and secondary border fence. As a result, the southern boundary
of the park has been moved north to ensure the safety of Border Patrol agents and park
visitors alike. As a result of the realignment of the park’s boundaries, Friendship Circle and
the monument are no longer accessible to the general public.
 The BIS stretches approximately 14 miles east from the Pacific Ocean along Border Field
State Park through Tin Can Hill in the San Diego Border Patrol Sector. As of February 19,
2009, the total construction cost for Smuggler’s Gulch, Border Field State Park, and Goat
Canyon was(b) (4)
Hidalgo County Levee-Barrier
 In October 2007, Hidalgo County alerted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the
fact that CBP construction of fencing could potentially overlap with the County’s flood
control efforts. A solution was developed which provided the opportunity for DHS and
Hidalgo to work together to incorporate the construction of a concrete border barrier into its
plans to raise the levees.
 CBP engaged in extensive consultations with Hidalgo County to develop a joint project that
would meet the needs of the local community and the Border Patrol.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FME003477




FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

CBP has been closely involved with Hidalgo and the International Boundary and Water
Commission (IBWC) U.S. Section, the owner of the levees, during construction of the leveebarrier project.
The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) fence segments included in this effort equal about 20 miles or
37 percent of the RGV fence requirements. These segments are not continuous.

City of Brownsville, Texas
 DHS is currently building four fence segments in Brownsville, Texas: O-14 (2.4 miles), O19 (3.0 miles), O-20 (0.6 miles) and O-21 (12.5 miles).
 DHS currently owns approximately 2.76 miles of City of Brownsville property 60-feet in
width required for fence construction. Title to the city’s property transferred to DHS upon
filing the condemnation action in court and includes small tracts of property across the four
segments for a total of 2.76 miles.
 DHS is proceeding with fence construction in Brownsville in order to complete the
approximately 661 miles of fence construction promised by the previous Administration.
 The City of Brownsville has plans to engage in several local development projects including
a River Walk Redevelopment Project that includes a retaining wall on the river side of the
levee. This project is in the same location as the O-19 fence footprint. In order to meet the
Border Patrol’s operational needs but also accommodate the city, DHS has proposed the
return of city property and the removal of the DHS fence at such time as the River Walk
Redevelopment Project has been completed and the retaining wall has been constructed.
ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS:
Border Infrastructure System
 What is the status of the BIS design?
 Suggested answer: All design packages have been submitted to the Government and
approved. This includes Spooners, Russian Hill, and Smugglers Gulch as well as Yogurt
and Goat Canyons.
 Are there any unique challenges to the BIS project?
 Suggested answer: Theft from across the border continues to be a problem; however,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the contractor (Kiewit), and the Border Patrol are
continuing to work closely together to prevent further theft.
Hidalgo County Levee-Barrier
 What is the current progress on these projects and when are they expected to be complete?
 Suggested answer: Projects included in this effort are currently estimated to be
completed in March 2009. As of February 20, 2009, 14.5 miles of the 20 miles planned
are complete.
 What is the total cost of the joint project and how much is DHS contributing?
 Suggested answer: DHS has obligated (b) (4) towards construction of the project. The
total project cost is currently (b) (4)
which includes DHS and Hidalgo County
Drainage District funding.
City of Brownsville, Texas
 Will fence construction in Brownsville adversely impact the city’s River Walk
Redevelopment Project which is located in the O-19 fence footprint?
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FME003478

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Suggested answer: DHS has proposed the return of City of Brownsville property and
the removal of the DHS fence at DHS’s expense once the River Walk Redevelopment
Project has been completed and the retaining wall constructed.
Will fence be built in the Brownsville wildlife corridor?
 Suggested answer: No, the fence alignment is outside the wildlife corridor.
Additionally, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stated that even outside the corridor,
wildlife openings in the fence are not necessary because of the limited nature of wildlife
habitat in this particular section.
Does DHS have permission from the IBWC in this area?
 Suggested answer: IBWC has approved the fence construction for the proposed fence
projects in the Rio Grande Valley Sector including 0-19. For more information please
see attached letter from the IBWC.
Has DHS consulted with the City of Brownsville?
 Suggested answer: Yes, CBP has consulted extensively with the City of Brownsville
and has records of all consultation. Additionally, as a result of consultations with the
city the fence type was changed to the removable style fence.








PARTICIPANTS:
PRESS PLAN: None
ATTACHMENTS:
A. IBWC Letter RE RGV
B. IBWC Letter RE O-19
Contact: Loren Flossman, Secure Border Initiative Tactical Infrastructure Program,
Loren.W.Flossman, (b) (6)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY