County holding out hope to be heard on border fence issue

Cameron County Commissioners are expected to approve a resolution today that offers an “alternative solution” to the proposed border fence, though the measure could prove useless.

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff gave Texas landowners 30 days to allow federal surveyors on their land or face legal action, an indication that the construction of a border fence is imminent.

County Judge Carlos H. Cascos has long proposed the federal government enhance the Rio Grande Valley’s levee system as an alternative to the border fence. He has not given up hope that a solution could be found that would be viable to both sides.

“Until they lay that first slab of concrete it’s never too late,” Cascos said.

Department of Homeland Security documents show plans to build a fence with about 70 miles in the Valley.

The proposed maps have 17 miles of the fencing going through the Brownsville area with some of the fence cutting through local sanctuaries, the local college campus and city-owned properties and parks.

Valley officials have searched for alternatives to the border fence that they say would affect the economy and relations with Mexico.

Though a decision on where the fence will stand may have already been made, Cascos said the Valley might still have a chance to be heard before construction begins.

“I think we still have an opportunity to convince them they we have an alternative solution,” he said, but knows there is only so much local officials can do to persuade the government to change its mind. “The federal government is a very, very powerful entity to go against. I’m still in hopes that they will have second thoughts.”

Plans are still in the works to bring Chertoff to Cameron County to listen to concerns voiced by local officials.

In the meantime, city officials will vote today on whether to enter into an agreement with McAllen officials to hire Houston attorney Jim Blackburn and associates to represent the entities in litigation regarding the border fence. Blackburn specializes in environmental law.

City Manager Charlie Cabler said the city would be joining other cities along the border in showing their opposition to construction of the fence and offering alternative ways in which to protect the border.

Alternatives include adding more U.S. Border Patrol agents, technology and the construction of a weir or building up of the current levee system, Cabler said.

“We want an opportunity to discuss and sit down and give ideas are how this should be addressed…instead of fencing in and fencing out some of our properties,” Cabler said.

Today’s votes come on the eve of Wednesday’s “open house” in Brownsville in which the Department of Homeland Security will address the draft Environmental Impact Statement and take public comments. The first open house is today at the McAllen Convention Center. The second is at the Brownsville Events Center from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Brownsville Mayor Pat Ahumada Jr. plans to hold an anti-war protest at the tennis courts outside the Brownsville Events Center where he plans to hold a forum for the community to air their complaints.

Representatives from CASA (Coalición de Amigos en Solidaridad y Acción) and San Felipe De Jesus Church in Cameron Park are also expected to line the sidewalks leading to the events’ center protesting the wall.