Dear opponents to the wall,
CNN is sending a film crew to The World Birding Center in Mission, TX today.
http://www.worldbir
I don't have any other information. I don't know if they have in mind to do a piece on the border wall or if they are there for some other purpose, but I thought some people might like to go to The Birding Center and try to get the border wall issue into the national news whether that was the original purpose of CNN's visit or not.
Just sending this bit of information out in case someone would like to use it.
-Airlie Rose
Contact: E. Elizabeth Garcia: 956/459-3205
"Invest in Families,
Not in Walls"
PRESS RELEASE
Who: Rio Grande Valley--RGV Network
What: Announcement:
"Invest in Families, Not in Walls" Campaign
Where: La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) Corner of Cesar Chavez and Business Hwy 83.
When: Thursday November 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
"Invest in Families, Not in Walls", is a campaign co-sponsor by a coalition of non-profit family advocacy organizations. This is a petition drive campaign to build a constituency of register voters to sign a petition against the border wall. The 'Invest in Families, Not in Walls" Campaign will kick-off with a press conference this Thursday November 8, 2007, at 10:00am at the LUPE headquarters, located at the corner of Cesar Chavez and Business Hwy. 83, San Juan, TX.
San Juan, TX, November 6, 2007: The RGV Network opposes spending our tax dollars on an ineffective border wall. Estimates for the construction of approximately 700 miles of reinforced fencing along sections of the U.S.-Mexico border are about $6 billion to $7. Congress has already approved a down payment of $1.2 billion. We don't believe this investment will ever deliver a measurable or positive return. Even the Department of Homeland Security has said the wall will only slow down, not stop, illegal border crossing.
We believe that money intended for the Border Wall should be invested in our families. With a $1.2 billion dollar investment in health care, housing education, job training, and infrastructure improvement we could actually see a tangible return. If we invest in our children's health today we will be saving billions of dollars on treatment for preventable maladies such as diabetes and childhood obesity. If we invest just a fraction of the $1.2 billion, a mere $125 million, on the rehabilitation of our structurally deficient levees we could avoid a potential Katrina like flood that will cause billions of dollars in property damage and several more billions of dollars in lost agriculture and production.
The RGV Network, serving families throughout the Rio Grande Valley ask all those who believe that our elected officials should invest in our families to join us in our petition drive. We will be campaigning from November 8 th, 2007 through March 8th, 2008. We ask that all interested parties please contact the number above if you would like to endorse the petition.
Thanks to:
E. Elizabeth Garcia
achcauhtli06@gmail.com
Call for Submissions
“Mi Educación es la Causa: Chicana and Chicano Pedagogy in the 21st Century.”
NACCS-Tejas Regional Conference
28 February-1 March 2008
Chicana/o scholars, NACCS Tejas membership, and the Tejas community are invited to submit papers, exhibits, performances or cultural productions for the NACCS Tejas Regional Conference at
The 2008 NACCS Tejas steering committee is excited to announce that both Ms. Martha Cotera and Dr. Rodolfo Acuña have agreed to serve as keynote speakers. Both scholars will be discussing the past, present, and future of Chicana/o pedagogy. Please join us in welcoming both scholars to our conference.
This conference incorporates a multidisciplinary understanding of scholarship and performance and therefore accepts papers and productions from a wide range of disciplines. While the primary theme for the conference centers on Chicana/o pedagogy in the 21st century, other topics related to the Chicana/o experience are also welcomed. A 100-250 word abstract should be submitted for the paper, panel, exhibit, performance, or other.
Deadline for Submissions: January 14, 2008
Send questions and proposals electronically to Victor Gomez at vgomez@southtexascollege.edu
STUDENTS FOR PEACE PRESENTS
“Chavez, Morales, and Castro...Oh, My!”
A Panel Discussion on U.S. Policy in Latin America
Featuring:
Dr. Jessica Lavariega-Monforti &
Dr. Gary Mounce
(UTPA Political Science Dept.)
Thurs., November 8, 2007
SBS 101 (Auditorium)
12-1pm (Activity Period)
studentsforpeace@aol.com
BE HEARD!!!
Call for public comments about building the border wall through
our National Wildlife Refuge
Comments are being accepted by the
Here are a few ways to guide your comments:
· While the surveys themselves may cause little immediate damage, their intent is to pave the way for the construction of border walls, an activity which will seriously degrade and fragment the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and which is incompatible with the refuge mission. According to USFWS regulations, “Fragmentation of the National Wildlife Refuge System's wildlife habitats is a direct threat to the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System, both today and in the decades ahead. Uses that we reasonably may anticipate to reduce the quality or quantity or fragment habitats on a national wildlife refuge will not be compatible.”
· We have no faith in the utility and impartiality of the survey process. The private corporation in charge of conducting the surveys, Engineering-Environmental Management, Inc. (E²M), has a vested interest in expediting the construction of the border walls to please their client, the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, E²M has already mismanaged the public comment period of the Rio Grande Valley EIS, allowing technical difficulties with both the official website and the posted fax number to interfere with the acceptance of public comments for several days of the already EIS short comment period. E²M should not be in charge of this vitally important surveying task. It should instead be carried out by local US Fish and Wildlife biologists who are familiar with the natural and cultural resources that are present in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
· The USFWS has expressed concerns that there will not be enough refuge staff to properly oversee survey activities. We share these concerns; there should be USFWS oversight for all activities.
· The natural resource survey is further compromised by its limited duration. E²M employees will only spend 10 days surveying the natural resources in the wall’s path. That is utterly insufficient. Endangered species are by definition extremely rare, and sightings of migratory species are dependent on the time of year, so the odds of seeing one during any 10 day period are next to nothing. If they fail to see a particular endangered or migratory animal during their brief visit the final report may give the false impression that they are not present and will not be impacted by the wall.
· The cultural resource survey contains a troubling provision for backhoe trenching up to 33 ft deep in areas that have a high probability of cultural resources. This is listed as a “last option,” but it should not be allowed at all. Not only would such an activity be incompatible with the environmental mission of the refuge, it would likely destroy the very cultural resources that are being documented.
Please send comments to:
Refuge Manager
Lower
Rt.
Or email Bryan_Winton@fws.gov (Subject line: Draft Compatibility Determinations: Border Fence)
DRAFT
COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION
Use: Issuance of a Special Use Permit to Engineering-Environmental Management (e2M) to conduct Natural Resource Surveys, directly associated with determining the environmental impact(s) of the proposed Border Fence (PF-225) on several river tracts on the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGVNWR).
Refuge Name:
Refuge Units Affected by Proposed Use:
Arroyo Ramirez Tract, Los Negros Creek Tract (O-1); Rio
Los Ebanos Tract (O-3); Penitas Tract; Kiskadee Wildlife Management Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lands managed under agreement)(O-4); Monterrey Banco Tract (O-7); La Coma Tract (O-8); Rosario Banco Tract (O-10); Phillips Banco Tract (O-18); Boscaje de La Palma Tract, Southmost Tract (O-21).
Establishing and Acquisition Authorities:
Refuge Purpose(s): As excerpted from the enabling legislation used to authorize the acquisition of the Refuge, the following are the Refuge purposes:
“... for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources ...” [16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4)] “... for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude ...” [16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)] (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)
”... particular value in carrying out the national migratory bird management program.” [16 U.S.C. 667b] (An Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real Property for Wildlife, or other purposes)
”... suitable for: (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species ...” [16 U.S.C. 460k-1] “... the Secretary ... may accept and use ... real ... property. Such acceptance may be accomplished under the terms and conditions of restrictive covenants imposed by donors ...” [16 U.S.C. 460k-2] (Refuge Recreation Act [16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4], as amended)
”... for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.” [16 U.S.C. 715d] (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)
The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Description of Proposed Use:
Natural Resources Surveys
e2M has been tasked with conducting reconnaissance-level biological surveys within the above described alignments. Intuitive controlled surveys of the fence corridor would be conducted by senior ecologists. The natural resources surveys are scheduled to commence ASAP, and would be conducted over a 10-day period. Surveyors would walk the entire accessible length of the corridor for each fence segment, and examine in more detail areas containing unique species compositions or habitat that might be conducive to sensitive species. Plot data (GPS coordinates, photographs, and plant community composition) would be recorded at regular intervals along the
corridor and where plant communities present substantial shifts in species composition. These
data would be used to generate vegetation classifications and maps to support delineation of habitat types, analysis of potential sensitive species occurrences, and analysis of potential project impacts to biological resources. Lists of state-and federal-listed species potentially occurring within the alignment have been developed. Although, no protocol surveys would be conducted, surveyors would specifically look for evidence indicating the presence of state and federal listed
species and habitats that might support them. These surveys, would be observational only (i.e., they would not include trapping, digging, or other disturbances). In addition, waters of the
Availability of Resources: Additional fiscal resources are needed to permit and monitor this use. A designated Refuge staff person will need to be made available daily to oversee this activity, since the ultimate intent of the natural resource survey is to establish the environmental feasibility of installing significant infrastructure--which is currently not permitted. Therefore, Refuge personnel will need to oversee this activity so that refuge resources are protected throughout the survey, and that un-permitted duties associated with the project are not initiated prematurely. The LRGVNWR staff will provide oversight during all aspects of the investigation, to ensure compatibility stipulations are met, and to insure permit compliance while on-refuge work occurs. The necessary effort required to issue and oversee the natural resource surveys cannot be accomplished with existing resources and staff without undue hardship to other refuge programs. Recent staff transfers and personnel shortage further complicate the Refuge's ability to properly and adequately oversee this activity.
Anticipated Impacts of the Use: This Phase of the proposed project will have negligible impacts to Refuge resources. Only hand-trimming of branches (native vegetation) will be allowed. No loss of habitat will be permitted. No new roads or trails will be permitted. Natural Resource Surveys, as permitted, could actually have benefits to the refuge if surveyors identify (and disclose) additional locations of rare and endangered plants, assuming surveys are sufficiently thorough and adequate. All flagging and stakes will likely remain upon cessation of this Phase of the project. This will enable Refuge leadership to view the survey work and ascertain whether sufficient modifications to Project alignment were considered in order to minimize/avoid destroying Refuge vegetation and threatened/endangered species habitat will be sufficiently safeguarded. Special Use Permit issuance for subsequent phases of the project could be contingent upon findings and proposed alignment resulting from the natural resource survey work. Some wildlife disturbance, excess survey flagging, contractor garbage/trash, and un-retrieved stakes/flagging is likely to result from this Phase of the proposed project.
Associated inadvertent impacts of this activity could be negative press coverage associated with the proposed project. Very little local support is present for the proposed project. Refuge staff cooperation in authorizing E2M to access Refuge lands under Special Use Permit for any reason could be perceived by environmental supporters and conservation groups as unsatisfactory.
Public Review and Comment: Public notices of the Draft Compatibility Determination will be advertised in local newspapers (The Valley Morning Star,
Determination (check one below):
___ Use is Not Compatible _X_ Use is Compatible with Following
Stipulations
Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility:
Prior to the implementation of the project:
1. No work will begin without obtaining a Special Use Permit from the Refuge and without daily notification and coordination with the Refuge Manager regarding particular sites/locations of that days' activities; Any and all federally mandated consultations (by Ecological Services or otherwise) and the procurement of any other necessary permits (access rights-of-way, etc.) will be obtained by E2M and its assigns, including, but not limited to, those required by the COE and the Texas State Historic Preservation Office (a.k.a. SHPO).
2. Vegetated areas will be accessed/surveyed on foot only.
3. All efforts will be made to recognize and avoid terrestrial wildlife to reduce the risk of unnecessary mortality.
4. While work is being conducted, vehicles and equipment must remain on designated Refuge roads. No off-road access is permitted.
5. All other stipulations and/or rules from General Conditions and Operating Procedures While on the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be strictly adhered to.
Justification: The Refuge acknowledges that this phase of the overall project is a component (natural resource surveys) that can be justified since the presence of threatened or endangered species, and otherwise rare species could be observed during this course of the investigation. For the sole purposes of evaluating appropriateness and compatibility, natural resource surveys will not materially interfere with or detract from, and may actually add to our basic understanding and knowledge, of the resources present on refuge lands. Natural resource surveys, albeit affiliated and associated with the proposed Border Fence (PF-225) initiative, will enable Refuge leadership to better evaluate what the measurable, site-specific impacts of the fence could/will be in the event that the project proceeds. Without authorizing natural resource surveys, the impacts of the project cannot be fully and accurately measured.
Submitted by: Refuge Manager____________________________
(Signature and Date)
Signature: Project Leader___ ___________________________
(Signature and Date)
Concurrence: Regional Chief _______________________________
(Signature and Date)
Mandatory 10- or 15-year Re-Evaluation Date: __October 21, 2017__
Fish and Wildlife Service policy states that after November 17, 2002 no uses on a refuge will be permitted for a period longer than 10 years, unless the terms and conditions for such long-term permits (e.g., easements) specifically allows for the modification to the terms and conditions of the permit, if necessary, to ensure compatibility.
DRAFT
COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION
Use: engineering-environmental Management, Inc. (e2M) proposes to conduct cultural resources surveys on fourteen (14) Refuge tracts within the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGVNWR). These surveys are directly associated with determining the environmental impact(s) of the proposed Border Fence (PF-225) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Refuge Name:
Establishing and Acquisition Authorities:
Refuge Purpose(s): As excerpted from the enabling legislation used to authorize the acquisition of the Refuge, the following are the Refuge purposes:
“... for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources ...” [16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4)] “... for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude ...” [16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)] (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)
”... particular value in carrying out the national migratory bird management program.” [16 U.S.C. 667b] (An Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real Property for Wildlife, or other purposes)
”... suitable for: (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species ...” [16 U.S.C. 460k-1] “... the Secretary ... may accept and use ... real ... property. Such acceptance may be accomplished under the terms and conditions of restrictive covenants imposed by donors ...” [16 U.S.C. 460k-2] (Refuge Recreation Act [16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4], as amended)
”... for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.” [16 U.S.C. 715d] (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)
The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Description of Proposed Use:
Cultural Resources Surveys
e2M has been tasked by the Corps of Engineers – Fort Worth District, with conducting cultural resources surveys within the above listed Refuge tracts. The nature of the cultural resources survey would depend upon the potential of the specific portion of the alignment to contain cultural resources. The least invasive approach, which would be used for areas determined to have low potential for cultural resources, would be simple pedestrian surveys of all the identified alignments. There are no known cultural resource sites within the proposed corridors of the surveys. However, e2M has included in their request contingencies for areas that present a moderate or high potential for presence of cultural resources. In areas that present moderate potential, shovel testing would be employed. Shovel testing involves the careful excavation of areas up to 2 feet in diameter and 5 feet in depth. Depending upon the level of perceived potential in an area, shovel tests may be conducted at up to 16 points per mile. Finally, in areas that have a high probability to contain cultural resources and present deep alluvial sediments, backhoe trenching may be required. Ditches would be up to 33 feet deep, approximately 3.5 feet wide, and may extend for up to 60 feet in length. Backhoe trenching would be the last option utilized for documenting cultural resources. The cultural resources surveys are scheduled to commence as soon as possible (pending the issuance of a special use permit) and would be conducted over a 10-day period. Follow-up surveys to further investigate and/or archive sites potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places may be required. Any collections of cultural resources would require the issuance of a permit under the Archeological Resources Protection Act and the Antiquities Act. This permit is issued by the Regional Director.
Availability of Resources: No additional fiscal resources will be needed due to this use as long as surveys are carried out utilizing pedestrian surveys (only). If areas are identified during the surveys that indicate moderate or high potential cultural resources, additional fiscal and staff resources may be required. The LRGVNWR staff will provide oversight during all aspects of the investigation to ensure compatibility stipulations are met, and to insure permit compliance with on-refuge work. The effort required to issue and oversee the special use permit can be accomplished with existing resources as long as pedestrian-only surveys are employed. More intensive surveys for moderate to high potential sites will require additional staff and fiscal resources as well as permits.
Anticipated Impacts of the Use: Cultural resource surveys conducted by e2M will be conducted on foot or using existing trails or roads within each of the listed Refuge tracts. Vehicles will be permitted only on existing roads and only hand-trimming of tree branches will be authorized. Cultural resource surveys will disturb and temporarily displace wildlife but this affect is expected to be temporal and insignificant. Surveys would occur during daylight hours only and would not affect nocturnal species. Due to the methods employed in areas of low potential for cultural resources, there should be little if any damage to wildlife or vegetation. This use is expected to have negligible impacts to Refuge resources. However, upon the identification of moderate to high potential sites by the contractor and proposals to utilize hand digging and/or heavy equipment, amended special use permits or archeological permits will be required. These amended permits or archeological permits may contain additional stipulations as necessary to protect wildlife and vegetation. It is also possible that activities prescribed for moderate or high potential sites would not be permitted. Depending on the proposed action, it may be necessary to reevaluate this Compatibility Determination. If a new Compatibility Determination is required, it would include additional public comment.
Public Review and Comment: Public notices of the Draft Compatibility Determination will be advertised in local newspapers (The Valley Morning Star,
Determination (check one below):
___ Use is Not Compatible _X_ Use is Compatible with Following
Stipulations
Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility:
Prior to the implementation of the project:
1. No work will begin without obtaining a Special Use Permit from the Refuge Manager. Daily work activities will be closely coordinated with the LRGVNWR Refuge Manager regarding particular sites/locations and access routes.
2. Vegetated areas will be surveyed on foot only.
3. Vegetation may be cut using hand tools only and only for the purpose of conducting the survey.
4. No digging with shovels or heavy equipment is permitted without prior consultation with the Refuge Manager.
5. All efforts will be made to recognize and avoid terrestrial wildlife to reduce the risk of unnecessary mortality.
6. While work is being conducted, vehicles and equipment must remain on designated Refuge roads. No off-road access is permitted. Vehicles will not be permitted on Refuge roads during wet conditions.
7. All survey personnel will be accompanied by Refuge Law Enforcement Officers (as available) or Border Patrol Agents when present on Refuge lands.
8. All other stipulations and/or rules from General Conditions and Operating Procedures While on the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be strictly adhered to.
Justification: Though the overall objective of these surveys is to gather cultural resource information related to the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and identification of endangered and threatened species related to Section 7 (Endangered Species) Consultation for the future construction of the Border Fence, these surveys have the potential to provide much needed cultural resource information to the Refuge. Little information is currently available to the Refuge Staff regarding the presence or absence of cultural resources on these Refuge tracts. Gathering of cultural resource data on Refuge tracts is important, and can be useful baseline information for Refuge Managers and Biologists assigned to the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Service Policy related to cultural resources is established in Service Manual 614 FW 1-5. Under Section 1.2 Objectives, A. the objectives for managing cultural resources are to: “Protect, maintain, and plan for the use of Service managed cultural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.” The Santa Ana/Lower Rio Grande Valley Comprehensive Conservation Plan goals and objectives include: 5.4 Cultural Resources. GOAL: “to protect, maintain, and plan for Service managed cultural resources on the Lower Rio Grande Valley/Santa Ana NWR for the benefit of present and future generations.” Objectives: 1. “Coordinate with the SHPO to identify cultural resources on the refuge. Evaluate the status of new sites such as the Casa Yanqui ruins in the Starr County District and submit for additional protection (i.e., National Register) if necessary.” These cultural resource surveys will not materially interfere with or detract from the purposes of the Refuge and have the potential to add to the Refuge’s basic understanding and knowledge of the resources present on Refuge lands. Methods and procedures specified in the proposed use are not likely to significantly impact wildlife or wildlife habitat within the Refuge. The fact that these surveys are related to potential future construction of a Border Fence on Refuge lands is not considered a factor in determining whether the use is Compatible.
Signature: Project Leader___ ___________________________
(Signature and Date)
Concurrence: Regional Chief ______________________________
(Signature and Date)
Mandatory 10- or 15-year Re-Evaluation Date: __November 20, 2017__
Fish and Wildlife Service policy states that after November 17, 2002 no uses on a refuge will be permitted for a period longer than 10 years, unless the terms and conditions for such long-term permits (e.g., easements) specifically allows for the modification to the terms and conditions of the permit, if necessary, to ensure compatibility.
From the folks from Femmecore (Edinburg/McAllen):
Next femcore friends forum get-together to be on November the 10th
Starting at 12pm, at the park on 10th St and zinnia near that confetti party store (or something like that). I think its pretty central between Edinburg and Mc allen area. and its a nice park too.
so, things to bring besides yourselves and friends would be:
*yummy food (vegan Please :])
*some fem lit/art(poetry, a book, a drawing, a photo, stuff running around your head)
*and if you have a kite you should bring it too :)
*oh also veg recipes to share with everyone.
from there we can talk about about reading a book together.
If you want you can also add more to-do things to this.
Courtesy of: FemmeCore Friends Forum
 |
| No Border Wall spokesman Scott Nicol |
BROWNSVILLE, November 2 - The No Border Wall group says a new lawsuit challenging the Real ID Act’s constitutionality could put a halt to fencing being erected along the South Texas border. On Thursday, attorneys for Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club filed an amended complaint in federal court challenging the 2005 REAL ID Act. This legislation granted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff the power to waive any law - federal, state or local - that would otherwise apply to border wall and road construction. The amended complaint alleges that this unprecedented authority violates the fundamental separation of powers principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The environmental groups also argue that by delegating the power to pick and choose which laws will apply to border wall construction, Congress has unconstitutionally given away its lawmaking responsibilities to a politically-appointed executive branch official who is not accountable to the American public. “This lawsuit is really important news for the fight against the border wall,” Scott Nicol, spokesman for the No Border Wall group, told the Guardian. “The Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife are challenging the Real ID Act's constitutionality, and if they win Chertoff will be unable to issue further waivers of law along the border.” The No Border Wall group has been leading the grassroots fight against the border wall being built in the Rio Grande Valley. In September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued new maps showing 70 miles of proposed fencing, with the greatest concentration of “tactical infrastructure” to be assembled in the Brownsville area. Nicol said it would be “virtually impossible” for the wall to be built along the Lower Rio Grande in a manner that complies with both the Secure Fence Act and the Endangered Species Act, not to mention state and federal laws that protect private property, - if the new lawsuit prevails. “Under section 102 of the Real ID Act an unelected Administration appointee has the power to ignore all of our nation's laws. If this lawsuit is successful it will restore the rule of law,” Nicol said. On October 10, U.S. District Court Judge Ellen S. Huvelle issued a temporary restraining order stopping border wall and road construction within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife had argued that DHS and the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the San Pedro area, hadn’t properly analyzed the impacts of the construction on wildlife and other natural resources. The groups also argued that the agencies had failed to include the public in their decision-making process. Chertoff has invoked the provisions of the REAL ID Act twice before. He used it to finish construction of a fence in San Diego and another fence in Arizona. “These laws were put in place to provide all of us with clean air and water and ensure our treasured places and wildlife are protected,” Schlickeisen said. “The Secretary’s action was a clear and unprecedented abuse of authority and demonstrated a profound disregard for the system of checks and balances assured in our constitution. The Secretary left us no choice but to address the unconstitutional nature of the REAL ID Act.” Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope agreed. “The Bush administration should know that we have the ability to protect our nation while at the same time preserving the unique wildlife and treasured lands along the border. Arbitrarily waiving environmental protections is an extreme path to tread,” Pope said. The National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Air Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Noise Control Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act, the Antiquities Act, the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act, the Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Farmland Protection Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act. Nicol said he fully expects Chertoff to waive all federal laws again, should the City of Brownsville or various environmental groups succeed with their legal action against the border wall. “Having exercised this unprecedented power three times already, it is certain that he (Chertoff) will do so again and again to build the 700 miles of wall called for by the Secure Fence Act,” Nicol said. “In Texas, this will mean that cities and private landowners as well as wildlife refuges will feel the walls’ unmitigated impact. When walls slice through Roma, Rio Grande City, Granjeno, and Brownsville, all of the legal protections that U.S. citizens expect and deserve will be thrown to the wind.”
Chertoff responded by invoking the REAL ID Act to waive 19 laws in order to resume construction of this particular wall segment.
“I want to stress that it’s not our intention to run roughshod over existing laws and regulations,” Chertoff said at the time. “But, Congress recognized the significance that secure borders have on our national security and provided legal authority for me to waive any restrictions that may impede our progress.”
Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said that in the case of the San Pedro conservation area, Chertoff rode roughshod over 19 laws.
In the case of the San Pedro conservation area, the statutes waived by Chertoff are:
From border walls to raiding communities all across the country, imprisonment of children...Chertoff & the ICE company is a dictatorship that is violating the tenants of our country. Here's a current sampling.
Blackwater on the border...
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/10/23/blackwater_border/print.html
Dallas editorial on immigration...with a conscience...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-mckenzie_30edi.ART.State.Edition1.42486fb.html
Austin TV coverage on Hutto Walk III and the Williamson County's decision to continue to profit off of imprisoning children...
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=7286057&nav=menu73_2_4
Patty Burland's latest expose of Hutto, the sex scandal and the detainees' slave labor for a $1 a day
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A556552
Police arresting immigrants fleeing San Diego fires...
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/26/18456262.php
Ravaging of the Arizona desert environment with bombs and border walls...
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2007/11/sonoran-pronghorns-between-bombs-and.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BorderAmbassadors.com
Connecting the Dots...Making a Difference
jay@villadelrio.com
(830)768-0768 (when in Del Rio)
(830734-8636 (cell-when on the road)
Please read my column: Inside the Checkpoints
Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Sr. wrote:
Howdy amigos...
Our borders are on the verge of being ruled by privatized corporatism, corruption and mercenaries...
Below you'll see two examples of how Chertoff, with dual US and Israeli citizenship is ceding our border with Mexico to one of Israel's private security companies. It is also putting the Environmental Impact Study in the hands of another private company. So...private companies, both foreign and domestic are controlling the present and future of our borders. Where's Congress? Where's our Texas Legislature?
Then you'll see that Blackwater is setting up on the border. This mercenary army which is devastating Iraq, committed heinous acts in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina...is now going to take over our borders. They better stay the hell out of Texas!!!
The first part below about the Israel spy towers on the border is from Brenda Norrell from Censored.
The second portion is from Stefanie Herweck and the NO BORDER WALL alliance.
The third part is directly from salon.com.
Please share with those who are opposed to this take over of our border by foreign and domestice private companies...
In solidarity...
Jay
First...Brenda's Norrell's expose...
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2007/09/another-israeli-company-providing-us.html
Now for the NO BORDER WALL expose...by Stefanie Herweck
www.notexasborderwall.com and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/noborderwall
Rather than attempt to comply with our nation’s laws, Chertoff chose to “waive in their entirety… all federal, state, or other laws, regulations and legal requirements” related to the following 20 federal statutes:
National Environmental Policy Act
Endangered Species Act
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (aka Clean Water Act)
National Historic Preservation Act
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Clean Air Act
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Noise Control Act
Solid Waste Disposal Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
Federal Land Policy and Management Act
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act
Antiquities Act
Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act
Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Farmland Protection Policy Act
Administrative Procedures Act
Private company, E2m's, NEPA brochure is attached. It's been confirmed that they (this private company that messed up with the fax and online public comment ) will be doing the entire EIS process.
The Army Corps contact Charles McGregor told me that DHS wouldl not extend the comment period. He agreed that the fax and website glitches "make us look really bad." Ortiz's office called me very dismayed that they won't extend. It's pretty bad when people in government stop having faith in government.
Museo {i}menos presents…
THE ART FACTORY
STENCIL MAKING WORKSHOP
Casa Hudson
2300 Coffee Port
Brownsville, Texas
November 3, 2007
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Materials: #1 exacto-knife, spray paint and something to paint on.
Donations accepted not required.
Directions: Take US 83 to Brownsville and exit FM 802. Turn right
onto Paredes Line and continue until Coffee Port Rd.
Turn left onto Coffee Port Rd. It is the 3rd entrance on the right.
US Fish and Wildlife will be gathering public comments for the compatibility of survey work associated with the fence on the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge from Nov 5 through 19. See below for details and address.
We are seeking guidance on this and hope to have a brief guide for writing your comments posted before the start of the comment period. Please stay tuned and be ready to submit comments next week.
(Note that this survey is being conducted by the corporation E2M, not by the Army Corps. E2M is the same corporation that could not keep the Border Fence EIS website working or their fax machine turned on during the official EIS public comment period.)
Announcement of Public Review and Comment Period
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking feedback from the public regarding DRAFT Compatibility Determinations (2) related to permitting survey work (natural resource and cultural resource surveys) associated with the proposed U.S.-Mexico Border Fence on
portions of the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Engineering-
The public is invited and encouraged to submit comments, which will be considered for the formulation of the Final Compatibility Determination. The 15-day comment period is November 5-19, 2007.
The Refuge is administered by the Fish & Wildlife Service, a branch within the U.S. Department of Interior. Federal law requires that all uses on National Wildlife Refuge lands be compatible with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as the purposes of the Refuge.
To request an electronic or hard copy of the Draft Compatibility Determination, and/or to submit comments, please send correspondence to:
Refuge Manager
Lower
Rt.
Or
Bryan_Winton@
Comments can also be delivered to the Santa Ana NWR at the above listed address.
All comments must be postmarked November 19, 2007 to be considered.
