Perhaps of interest to those of you who have enjoyed birding in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I do not consider this a political issue, but an environmental issue, should posting of political issues cause problems.
Jim Williams, Wayzata, Minnesota ==== I received the following piece on TexBird. I am a winter Texan and am very concerned about the proposed fence along the RGV border. This writing was done by Martin Hagne, Director of the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco, Texas. I wrote back to him and asked him what we as birders can do. The law was signed but as I understand it, the funding is yet to be found. Maybe we can discourage our new legislature from funding it. Wyleen High Town of Minocqua soon to be spending the winter in the Rio Grande Valley Hi all, You might not agree... But here are my two cents worth! A fence, or no fence! by Martin Hagne The Valley Nature Center is not a political or lobbying entity and through tax laws as well as its own policy does not endorse political candidates nor take political stands. Our mission is strictly to educate about our awesome native flora and fauna in hopes that everyone Listening will embrace them and help to save them. Having said that, I must speak out about an idea, a brainstorm, a plan that is already law. So here goes my own personal ranting. This item can become the single-most destructive act towards our remaining habitat in at least my lifetime. Yes, the proposed Border Fence! Here is an issue that I personally think is so very poorly understood anywhere outside the state, or even outside the Valley. Most people hear only of the high numbers of illegal immigrants, the drug smuggling, and potential threats from terrorists. There is never any mention of the impact on the local economy, environment, or even border relations. So how can a little fence along the river hurt? Given the fact that this fence has been described as a double layer structure of high solid fencing, with a row of cleared land on the riverbank, a fence, another cleared stretch of land, between another fence, and finally another wide stretch of cleared land on the north side of the last fence. well, there goes whatever little riparian habitat that is left. For over 20 years the US Fish & Wildlife Service, along with several other national, state, and local environmental partners have spent millions of dollars to create a natural wildlife corridor along the Rio Grande's edge. Over 650,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted on tracts of old farmland and other properties bought with mostly Federal dollars. Well over one hundred tracts of land, some 80,000 acres worth so far (I might be off here?), have been set aside to be linked together from Falcon Lake in Starr County to Boca Chica Beach in Cameron County. This very huge undertaking is all in the effort of saving what little riparian habitat that is left, and trying to restore large areas now laid barren. Why is this so important? There are many stretches of land along the river where there are only 50 to 200 feet of forest buffering the river and open agricultural land. Sometimes there is no buffer at all! These buffers are crucial in protecting the only drinking water available to two million people on both sides of the river. Agricultural run-off from chemicals and at times even worse, the soil itself, is polluting the river and silting it in. Soil erosion is much worse without the stabilization of the native plants lining the river. 512 species of birds, over 320 species of butterflies, two endangered wildcats, the ocelot, and jaguarondi, as well as countless mammals and other wildlife, depends on the less than 5% native habitat left in our area. Percentage-wise there is even less riparian habitat than that left. These animals, especially the mammals, depend on the corridor to move from one area to another in the Valley, as well as across the river. Without this movement they are genetically isolated and will die out in small pockets. This would be a huge environmental disaster! The most bio-diverse region in the whole country would be cleared of any riparian habitat in many areas along the river if the fence were built as some plans show it. The tracts of habitat that have been saved, re-vegetated, and cared for would be gone. The search/spot lights along the fence will likely stop nocturnal animals, such as those endangered cats, from moving around, and even worse stop hunting for food. The same federal politicians that sent money to "build" the wildlife corridor are now sending a bill to bulldoze possibly every last bit of the area. Local and most state politicians are on a whole totally against the concept. As far as I can see and hear, many if not all local businessmen, politicians, and residents feel that this fence will be a disaster in more than one way! Over 250,000 nature visitors travel to this area each year. They bring with them millions of dollars to our economy. Local cities and chambers have invested huge amounts of money and land into the fact that "eco-tourism" is bringing so much to the local economy. Without the habitat, there is no wildlife. Without the wildlife, there are no tourists. But there are more reasons than just environmental concerns. Farmers also worry about having access to their allotted water rights. A solid fence would likely not allow the river pumping that they depend on to grow our nation's crops, nor would it allow access to service such pumps. Then there is the human factor. Relationships with our sister communities across the border are crucial to both side's economies. A fence is the ultimate slap in the face to anyone. Even in nice friendly neighborhoods it normally means "We don't really like you," or "We don't really want to look at you." Folks from outside this area do not have to face the consequences that this will bring. Here just along the border, both sides depend on revenues from the tourist trade. U.S. residents travel across to have dinner, shop for souvenirs and to relax. Mexico residents travel here to shop in fancier stores, and to vacation. And none of this takes into account all of the family ties across the river. Yes, our government is trying to save us from the terrorists. And rightly so! But they need to focus on where theses bad folks are coming from. How many of the 20 airline hijackers of 9/11 came across this border? None! They came legally! There are other criminal elements we need to guard against, but those will find ways to cross over or under this fence in no time at all. The same goes for our immigration issues. The fence will not stop them from trying, and succeeding. Tunnels are being built as we speak, and speed boats are becoming the choice for smugglers. All we have to do is look at the wall between East and West Germany to see how flawed this idea is. People died daily at that wall for many years. The billions of dollars that would be spent on this fence would be much better spent elsewhere. Other preventative measures, such as an electronic "walls" would be much less intrusive and solve many of these issues. Or, what a novel idea. it could be used to do some good for the American people, or even for the immigrants trying to cross! I feel that an electronic fence will do as well as a solid fence. Neither will stop all the concerns, but at least the electronic version seems to allow us to live without these harsh consequences. Well, I guess I better stop before I give away my opinion on this project! Bird On... Martin Hagne Harlingen, TX Cameron Co.
