Chertoff Announces Levee-Border Wall Compromise In Hidalgo County

EDINBURG, Texas (AP) – Calling it a “win-win” solution, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a compromise levee repair-border wall project that will eliminate the need for a border fence in Hidalgo County.

It is the first clear compromise the federal government has made regarding concerns in border towns like Granjeno where property and houses would have been removed to make way for a border fence, creating a no-man’s land between the U.S. and Mexico.

“The people from Granjeno should not be concerned,” said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas.

The 20 miles of levees with a sheer concrete face as tall as 18 feet on the river side would be built within existing levee right of way, thus eliminating the need to condemn private land, Salinas said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)