Chertoff: Texas Border Fence Construction To Begin By Fall

HOUSTON (AP) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he expects construction of a Texas-Mexico border fence to begin by this fall. He pledged to consult with local communities on the fence design, but said he won’t give them a veto on the plan.

“I expect we’ll be doing some construction in Texas this fiscal year,” Chertoff said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. The government’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

Under a bill President Bush signed last year, 700 miles of fencing is slated for the U.S.-Mexican border, of which Homeland Security has said will include at least 370 miles of physical fence supplemented by “virtual” barrier of sensors, mobile towers with cameras, agents and other technology.

About 150 miles of fencing is expected in Texas. Border leaders opposed to the fence say local concerns have been ignored. They’re concerned the fence could hurt flood-control systems, wildlife habitats and relations with Mexico.

Chertoff said the government will consult with communities on the type of fencing to be installed. It won’t be a solid wall or a double layer of fencing on either side of a border road, he said.

Chertoff also said he “can’t rule out” that the government could use eminent domain to seize private property if it’s necessary to build the fence.

Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas said he hasn’t been notified of the fence’s location in his city.

“I understand we don’t have veto power, but I hope the citizens of Laredo, the business community, the ranchers and farmers, will have an opportunity to speak about this issue,” he said. “If you’re going to construct something in your neighborhood, aren’t you going to tell them?”

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez said most residents believe the fence won’t be effective. “We want to do the right thing, but the cities and counties, we think a proper debate hasn’t taken place,” Cortez said.

Chertoff said security needs will dictate the fence’s type and location. “Because the fence is not only to protect the border communities, it’s to protect the country,” he said.

Controlling the border is a national issue that can’t be “driven by local preference,” he said. “I can’t, in fairness, say to the rest of the country, ‘Well, jeez, I’d like to help you out but there’s a particular landowner who doesn’t want to be disturbed, so we’re out of luck,”‘ he said.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-07-19-07 0418EDT