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Since when did people who protect our wildlands become the enemy? That’s exactly what the sponsors of a new bill in the House of Representatives want us to believe.
Touted as a “border bill,” the omnibus bill HR 2578, titled Conservation and Economic Growth Act, rolls together 14 bills and would give the Department of Homeland Security complete control over public lands in all United States territory, not just along the border. A provision of the bill, sponsored by Rob Bishop (R-UT) would waive 36 key federal law protecting the environmental, tribal lands, wildlife protection laws in a 100-mile zone along both U.S. northern and southern borders.
The new omnibus bill is coming up before the House of Representatives on Monday and will be voted on by Tuesday.
The bill is extreme, misleading, and will do nothing to protect the environment or our borders. I stand with millions of others in opposition to this bill.
H.R. 1505 would override multiagency coordination that has been occurring on Federal lands since a 2006 Memorandum of Agreement between the Departments of Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture that has led to increased cooperation and leveraged resources.
The House could vote as early as tomorrow on a monstrous, overreaching bill cobbled together by extremists willing to sacrifice our natural heritage.
This anti-wildlife bill would:
– Waive Endangered Species Act protections within 100 miles of our borders -- leaving jaguars, ocelots and other rare wildlife without a lifeline;
– Overturn hard-fought, sensible rules that protectendangered sea turtles and shorebirds from being crushed by vehicles on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
– Hand over tens of thousands of acres of old-growth forest in the Tongass National Forest to be clearcut by a private corporation. These ancient forests are home to rare pine martens, grizzly bears and other wildlife – and provide clean water that salmon need to survive.
Despite some delays reported due to compliance with environmental laws, 22 out of 26 Border Patrol stations on the southern border with Mexico report that the border security status (or “operational control”) of their area of operation has not been affected by land management laws. Such a sweeping waiver of environmental laws, especially laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act that require interagency consultation, would result in a dramatic decrease in interagency coordination, consultation and trust – all key ingredients to improving national security along our borders.
Deputy Chief Ronald Vitiello of U.S. Customs and Border Protection spoke to the House Committee on Natural Resources last year, explaining that they don’t need this bill. They already cooperate with land managers, and that cooperation is essential to protect our borders.
Instead, factors like rugged terrain—and not access delays or restrictions—have the highest impact on operational control. Of the four border stations that reported having been impacted, two of the stations did not even request additional resources or assistance to deal with the problem, and the two that did request help were denied by U.S. Customs and Border patrol because of budget constraints and other, higher-ranked priorities.
If the sponsors of this bill are so worried about protecting our borders, why don’t they listen to the border patrol?
This anti-wildlife bill would:– Waive Endangered Species Act protections within 100 miles of our borders -- leaving jaguars, ocelots and other rare wildlife without a lifeline;
– Overturn hard-fought, sensible rules that protectendangered sea turtles and shorebirds from being crushed by vehicles on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
– Hand over tens of thousands of acres of old-growth forest in the Tongass National Forest to be clearcut by a private corporation. These ancient forests are home to rare pine martens, grizzly bears and other wildlife – and provide clean water that salmon need to survive.
Despite some delays reported due to compliance with environmental laws, 22 out of 26 Border Patrol stations on the southern border with Mexico report that the border security status (or “operational control”) of their area of operation has not been affected by land management laws. Such a sweeping waiver of environmental laws, especially laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act that require interagency consultation, would result in a dramatic decrease in interagency coordination, consultation and trust – all key ingredients to improving national security along our borders.
Deputy Chief Ronald Vitiello of U.S. Customs and Border Protection spoke to the House Committee on Natural Resources last year, explaining that they don’t need this bill. They already cooperate with land managers, and that cooperation is essential to protect our borders.
Instead, factors like rugged terrain—and not access delays or restrictions—have the highest impact on operational control. Of the four border stations that reported having been impacted, two of the stations did not even request additional resources or assistance to deal with the problem, and the two that did request help were denied by U.S. Customs and Border patrol because of budget constraints and other, higher-ranked priorities.
If the sponsors of this bill are so worried about protecting our borders, why don’t they listen to the border patrol?
3 comments:
This is nothing new, Chertoff scrubbed NEPA and all other rules in order to build the Border Wall. Where were you then? Or did it just not impact your area at that time, but it might now. Besides, DHS is currently shoving NEPA aside when they want their will done.
Ray Marchan: GUILTY!
Limas's Dad must be doing flip-flops in his grave. Plus, they better keep a suicide watch on "the judge".
Art Bell
Wake up people, this is a preview of what will happen if Romny and his cronies get in the WhiteHouse and impose their "less Gov't regulation" mantra. They have already said they want to get rid of many agencies that protect the American public and our infrastructure. Reps want no banking regulations, no Department of Education, no EPA, no FDA, and many others, and of course, get rid of taxes for the rich. If Romny wins it will be a death blow for all of South Texas. We will go back to the days of the land barons and the feudal lords.
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