Danielle Murray

November 5, 2006

October 26, 2006 – The Defenders of Wildlife are calling on Congress to amend the recently enacted Security Fence Act. The Act mandates the construction of a double-layer reinforced fence on the border of Mexico and the United States. The fence will have negative impacts on the sensitive wildlife in the desert region. Yet, the Act does not provide any mechanisms for federal land mangers to voice their concerns. Defenders of Wildlife believe this Act gives Homeland Security too much flexibility without any accountability as to the harms caused to native species.

Currently, Border Patrol is working with federal land management agencies to reduce illegal crossings while considering environmental factors. For example the National Park Service has constructed vehicle barriers in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument that block illegal vehicle entry in the U.S. without inhibiting the movement of native wildlife such as jaguars, bears and bighorn sheep. Studies show illegal crossings in Organ Pipe have reduced by 525 percent. The new Security Fence Act should continue this cooperative process by giving federal land management agencies a voice in how to place and structure the fence to minimize environmental degradation.

Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife recognizes that " national security comes first." However, Schlickeisen believes "we do not need to sacrifice the Southwest's natural heritage in the process."

http://www.defenders.org/releases/pr2006/pr102606.html