Border security bill would allow DHS to bypass dozens of environmental laws in Maine

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

Environmentalists and Maine’s congressional delegation are closely monitoring a controversial bill that would give the Department of Homeland Security the authority to waive dozens of federal environmental laws along the nation’s borders and coastline.

If enacted as written, the legislation could have a significant impact in Maine. The proposed broadening of Homeland Security power would allow the agency to conduct activities across the entire state while avoiding any one of 36 federal environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

The legislation is born of congressional lawmakers’ concerns over illegal immigration and increased calls to tighten border and coastal security.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, who in April argued that a “turf war” between land managers and Homeland Security prevented border patrol agents from effectively enforcing the southern border with Mexico.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2011/07/14/politics/environmentalists-maine-delegation-worried-about-impact-of-border-security-bill/

[FiveGoodMen]

1. DHS is unAmerican crap.

Needs to go.

[frylock]

2. that's the price we all have to pay for that false sense of security

[valerief]

3. Yes, Bishop cares about illegals. He wouldn't be doing this to loosen regulations for his

industry patrons. That would be, well, corrupt.

[starroute]

4. Like the border fence with Mexico isn't already causing problems

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/07/12/Border-fences-said-threat-to-wildlife/UPI-56661310503006/

AUSTIN, Texas, July 12 (UPI) -- Border fences to stop illegal immigration are a threat to wildlife, with animals in border areas in Texas and California especially vulnerable, a study says.

Researchers at the University of Texas say most at risk of extinction are smaller populations of wildlife that occur in more specialized habitats, and among them are four species listed as threatened globally or by both the United States and Mexico.

The animals include the Arroyo toad, the California red-legged frog and the jaguarundi wild cat, a university release said Tuesday. . . .

Some species in California have barriers that block as much as 75 percent of their ranges, the researchers said.

[buckrogers1965]

5. Don't even need the fence anymore.

Illegal immigration is at a 60 year low. Nobody wants to come to the United States anymore.