Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Gets It Right at the Border, Say Enviro Groups

"This bill will restore the rule of law along America's border."~ Bob Irvin, Defenders of Wildlife

The new immigration bill introduced in Congress this week includes important provisions that will help protect wildlife, communities, and natural resources from damage wrought by border walls between the U.S. and Mexico, according to three major environmental organizations.

The Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Defenders of Wildlife jointly issued an early and emphatic endorsement statement of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, introduced by Representative Luis Gutierrez on Tuesday.

To date, at least 633 miles of border walls and barriers have been constructed along the U.S. - Mexico border, and the construction has proceeded quickly and almost entirely without proper consultation or compliance laws. Three dozen environmental, archaeological, religious freedom, historic preservation, cultural, and other laws were waived by former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael ChertoffMichael Chertoff for border wall construction.

The legislation would replace the border wall's one-size-fits-all approach to border security with a strategy based on comprehensive analyses of the effectiveness and costs of various security measures, say the supporters. To address negative impacts from existing border infrastructure, the legislation would establish comprehensive monitoring and mitigation programs.

The bill would also ensure full compliance with landmark laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act that were enacted to promote public health and protect our country's wildlife and natural heritage.

"Rep. Gutierrez and Rep. Grijalva [who introduced Border Security and Responsibility Act of 2009 (HR 2076) in April] deserve praise for recognizing the need for a responsible border security policy that minimizes harm to our precious borderlands, wildlife, and border communities," said Sierra Club representative Michael Degnan.

"Much of this country's rarest and most spectacular wildlife-including jaguar, ocelot, Sonoran pronghorn, and many other species--depend upon the borderlands for survival. This bill would restore crucial protections to such wildlife and help mitigate the widespread damage that has already been done to important habitat and migration corridors," commented Randy Serraglio, conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"Laws that protect our wildlife, our water, our air, and our right to a healthful environment should never have been circumvented by the BushBush administration," added Bob Irvin, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs at Defenders of Wildlife. "This bill will restore the rule of law along America's border."

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Press release sources: Kristina Johnson, Sierra Club; Randy Serraglio, Center for Biological Diversity; Mary Beth Beetham, Defenders of Wildlife.

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At the top of the post: Spectacular photographic slideshow/presentation,"Wildlife and the Border Wall," explains impact of wall on borderland nature and creatures.

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SUMMARY of GUTIERREZ' IMMIGRATION BILL: http://lulacohio.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=164