Border Fence Keeps Out Protected Wildlife

The 2006 decision to place a fence along the 2,000 mile U.S./Mexico border was intended to stop illegal immigration. But did anyone take a moment to consider the wildlife and habitats also using the border?

The U.S./Mexico border spans almost 2,000 miles of diverse land, covering two deserts, numerous mountain ranges and rivers. Much of this land is contained within refuges and estuaries. The border fence cuts like a knife right through these ecosystems. This area is also home to a variety of rare, threatened and even federally endangered species.

Yet, according to the documentary The Fence, now airing on HBO: “Thirty-six federal environmental laws had to be waived to facilitate its construction.” In addition, the Department of Homeland Security pledged “$50 million in January 2009 to offset negative environmental effects of the fence.”

One example is the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects birds that move across international borders. The U.S. and Mexico entered into this agreement in 1936 and, by building the border fence, the U.S. violated the terms of the treaty. Physical disruptions within an ecosystem close off corridors, which prevents wildlife from moving from one area to another. This means that food and water resources, as well as breeding ground, are inaccessible. And don’t forget, not all birds fly (the greater roadrunner comes to mind).

Another law bypassed for the fence? The Endangered Species Act. Some federally endangered species affected by the fence include Sonoran pronghorn antelope, jaguar, and ocelot. The desert tortoise is listed as a threatened species. Estimates indicate 39 ESA protected or proposed species live in Arizona alone.

I encourage you to watch the Sierra Club produced video, Wild Versus Wall (2010 Revision) from steev hise on Vimeo. In 20 minutes, you can see for yourself the scope of the border fence's impacts on wildlife.

To date, the border fence has cost more than $3 billion in taxpayer money to fund 700 miles of fence, only a fraction of the total cost estimated to complete it. That’s an average of $4.5 million per mile of fence. Not to mention continual spending on repairs and maintenance. And to what end?

If all of this isn’t bad enough for wildlife, Mexico is taking cues from the U.S. and is building a wall of their own along their southern border to reduce illegal immigration into Mexico. I have a hard time understanding why my tax dollars are used to fund environmental programs and fences that subsequently make those programs irrelevant. Why don’t we all take a moment to pat the U.S. on the back for their role as a reigning world leader.

Better yet, contact your representative and tell them to support H.R. 2076, a bill designed to implement a comprehensive border security strategy that would not only be effective in efforts to reduce illegal immigration into the United States, but would also address the ecological and environmental impacts of border security measures.

Photo by couchlearner