$50 million will go toward helping ease impact of border fence

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The Department of Homeland Security -- in a rare acknowledgment of the environmental consequences of the 670-mile-long border fence still under construction along the Mexican border -- has agreed to commit $50 million for projects to mitigate the wall’s damage to the landscape and wildlife.

The fencing spans the border from Texas to California and along the way runs through private property as well as a national park and wildlife refuges. Among other issues, wildlife biologists have expressed concerns that the 15-foot-high fence cuts off critical migration routes for a host of animals, including the Sonoran desert pronghorn, an endangered species.

In ordering the fence built, then-DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff invoked the REAL ID Act of 2005, which empowered him to waive any federal and state law to expedite the project. Thus, the controversial fence is being built with no regard to Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act or state laws protecting wildlife, land or water.

The $50-million fund, announced last week, will go to restore habitat and study the fence’s effect on wildlife.

-- Julie Cart

Photo Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times