A national debate is going on over what takes priority…protecting national security or protecting the environment.

US House Republicans have introduced legislation – HR 1505 – that waives federal environnmental laws in the borderlands. A hearing was held on this bill Friday July 8th. Cochise County rancher Gary Thrasher testified at this hearing.

HR 1505 comes in large part because of the conflicts between Border Patrol access to federally managed lands on the Arizona-Mexico border.

National environmental groups have gone ballistic over HR 1505.

Even Southern Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva has weighed in attacking HR 1505. There was even a news story about Grijalva’s opposition in the Yuma Daily Sun.

One would think the Arizona Daily Star would be covering this story.

Nada.

The Arizona Daily Star is missing in action again.

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More…

America at a crossroads….protect endangered species or protect the American people?

Groups Call for Passage of Republican Legislation to Enhance Border Security on Federal Lands

Despite the Borderland Fires, Border-Crossers Keep Coming

Who does Raul Grijalva represent?

Grijalva slams GOP environmental bill that would open up access to federal lands so the border could be secured

Frank DuBois Commentary on HR 1505… the bill to improve Border Patrol access on federal lands

Battle lines drawn–protect the environment? or protect national security?

Bill to open up access to federal lands to secure the border

Ranchers support improving Border Patrol access to federal lands

National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers support new legislation to improve Border Patrol access to federal lands

Dept of Interior responds to claims it is hampering border security

Forest Service responds to claims it is hampering border security

Environmental lawyer trashes effort to improve Border Patrol access on federal lands

Federal land managers under the gun of the Endangered Species Act responsible for destruction of over 300,000 acres of border wild lands

More on how federal land managers compromise border security

GAO confirms federal environmental laws and federal land managers hinder securing our border

Republicans Introduce Bill to Secure Border on Federal Lands, Protect Environment

More on “politically correct fire stories”

Many in S. Ariz. fire zone blame border crossers

Chiricahua Mountains … another “sky island” turned to ash

Border security versus the environment

Wilderness Areas on the border? What a great idea if you are a cartel drug smuggler

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions…burning down our wildlands

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 at 7:38 am and is filed under border issues, politics. Tags for this post: border security, hr 1505, raul grijalva. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.