Today the Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comments via faxes concerning the Department of Homeland Security's request to fill wetlands in order to build "The Wall" in the Rio Grande Valley. Today is the last opportunity we Texans will have to stop the destruction of habitat and wetlands, and influence the bad political/governmental decisions in the works for our state in regards to the Homeland Security's rush to "protect" us. The official governmental notice is here.
If this request is granted, at least 30 wetlands near the Rio Grande could be destroyed. Only a fraction of these fragile ecosystems survive today along this area, and the project threatens/impacts endangered animals such as ocelots and jaguarundi, who stand to lose critical habitat and a source of water. The wall will cut them off from the river. Not only these wildlife species, but the entire gulf region of Texas would be impacted on essential fish habitat.
If you have the time or the inclination, I urge you to fax a request to the Corps of Engineers at 409-766-6301 TODAY. Reference the PF 225 Border Fence and demand that a proper public hearing and study time be implemented.
Even if you are a non-Texan, the plans by Homeland Security and the politics of Michael Chertoff are far reaching. It behooves every American to pay attention to what is going on down here in the border states.
Your help is greatly appreciated by this native Texan.
Read the government's plan and position here, and see another blogger's perspective and pictures of the wall here.
Another site for information is at Smart Borders.
3 comments:
What the hell? Aren't the wetlands barrier enough? I could write some very bad words to describe "our" government at this point. Will call the CoE on Monday to protest this.
I don't have a fax, but will see if I can find another way to express my objection to this further decimation of wetlands.
I just think this wall is a ridiculous idea, waste of taxpayer(my) money in the name of Homeland Security. With all the technology available today, there has to be a better way to address the issues.
I'm with Jo on this and I will do what I can to help.
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